Police Law: Mainly Claimant: UK-wide

THE FIRM This fantastic firm continually punches above its weight, and covers a range of matters. Malicious prosecutions have long been a key part of the practice and there has been a recent focus on Human Rights Act work. The group also works on cases concerning juvenile justice and young people in detention. The team advised on Van Colle v Chief Constable of Hertfordshire, and Smith v Chief Constable of Sussex. It intervened on behalf of NGOs in these test cases concerning the obligations owed by police officers to victims of crime under the Human Rights Act.

Sources Say: “A leader in the field, providing a standard of work that others seek to follow.” 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Fiona Murphy is “fearless and passionate about her work and is an excellent practitioner.” Her practice includes police malfeasance cases, mediation and other ADR approaches, and work under the Human Rights Act. Raju Bhatt works for clients who have suffered from abuse of power or neglect of duty within the police service and the prison service. Tony Murphy's practice focuses on representing the families of those who have died in state custody or at the hands of the state, with a particular specialism in police shootings.Mark Scott has a broad practice with a specialisation in child deaths in custody and the rights of immigration detainees, particularly children. He is lauded for his “fantastic work and superb reputation.”

THE FIRM This well-established firm is an enduring force in the police law field, with a practice that includes protester cases, judicial reviews and police action work. The team has been occupied with a large number of matters arising from the G20 protests and is particularly focused on cases connected to protecting the right to protest. The firm has a police misconduct team that specialises in abuse of power and misconduct. 

Sources Say: “A superb team of highly intelligent, tenacious and authoritative practitioners.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chez Cotton specialises in cases involving the right to freedom of speech and assembly, particularly protest work, and has been involved in a number of cases involving disabled claimants.Saimo Chahal is “a well-known figure with real attention to detail, strategic sense and thorough understanding of the law.” She undertakes a range of cases, particularly those involving the Human Rights Act. Stephen Grosz continues to build his practice in this field and is “hugely well respected and superbly knowledgeable, with fantastic experience and skill.”

THE FIRM This group remains a standout name for police law matters. It covers a wide range of work and has been involved in some high-profile cases.

Sources Say: “A calm, creative team of lawyers producing excellent work.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gareth Peirce continues to build on her well-established practice with specific expertise in police law. Marcia Willis-Stewart has a strong profile in the field and wins praise for her impressive practice, while Harriet Wistrich has been involved in some significant cases. 

THE FIRM This group has experience in a range of cases, including police shootings, deaths in custody, issues of race and the use of restraint. It has a particular specialism in using discrimination law in the context of police actions. The firm was involved in the inquest into the death of Colette Lynch.

Sources Say: “A fantastically strong team with a superb breadth of experience.” 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sarah Ricca has handled high-profile cases and is considered “a brilliant lawyer with a fantastic reputation.” Head of department Jane Deighton is sought after for police law work and is praised as “one of the top police lawyers around.” Recent recruit Nogah Ofer arrives at the firm with an impressive reputation.

THE FIRM The practice covers a broad range of matters, including policing of demonstrations, curtailment of free speech and the use of public order powers to limit protests. It also advises on the effect of new arrest powers, the destruction of DNA, fingerprint and other data held by the police, and prisoners’ rights. The team advised on R (Faizovas) v Secretary of State for Justice, where it was argued that the handcuffing of a prisoner whilst he received chemotherapy treatment had breached his rights under the ECHR.

Sources Say: “Utterly committed to their clients and skilled at what they do.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Arthur “has excellent technical knowledge, and is quietly efficient and wholly dedicated to his cases.” He works on a number of cases including damages for wrongful conviction, judicial review proceedings against the IPCC and cases concerning the application of the ECHR. Stefano Ruis focuses on false imprisonment and malicious prosecution cases. Shamik Dutta is "a real star of the future.”

THE FIRM This successful and committed group of lawyers is involved in a broad spectrum of actions, including those against the police and other detaining authorities on behalf of victims of crime. It also handles judicial reviews, compensation for miscarriages of justice, discrimination claims, immigration detention claims, inquests and public inquiries, data protection, and privacy and professional negligence claims against criminal defence lawyers. The team advised on R (Reynolds) v Independent Police Complaints Commission (Chief Constable of Sussex Police appearing as interested party), which was the first judicial review against the IPCC that reached the Court of Appeal.

Sources Say: “A fantastic team – one of the best.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Daniel Machover focuses on claims against the police arising out of serious injury or miscarriages of justice, in addition to deaths in custody and police shooting. He is “a hugely impressive figure and a talented lawyer.” Anna Mazzola is a rising star at the practice and is leading the firm’s work on police surveillance issues.

THE FIRM This fast-growing team has been involved in a number of prominent matters and covers a broad spectrum of work, including false imprisonment, assault, trespass to property, malicious prosecution and misfeasance, Human Rights Act issues, unlawful discrimination including race, sexual orientation, disability and age, and inquests relating to deaths in custody. The group advised on the case of Mohamed Raissi v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, which concerned the first suspected terrorist arrested in the aftermath of 9/11 to sue the police.

Sources Say: “A high-profile team deserving of all its praise.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jules Carey is “a real tactician and a great manager who is doing a fantastic job of building up the team.” Andre Clovis focuses on assault, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution cases, and is widely regarded as “a fantastic, meticulous lawyer.” Keiron Walsh continues to build an impressive practice, with a particular focus on specific disclosure, unlawful imprisonment and the failure to prevent suicide on the part of the police.

THE FIRM With the legal aid responsibilities of the Ison Harrison partnership, this well-established office has a solid reputation for police law work and many related areas, including civil liberties, immigration and crime. The lawyers advised on Iqbal v POA, in which the court ruled that the trade union representing prison officers was liable for falsely imprisoning a serving prisoner who remained locked in his cell as a result of industrial action by prison officers. 

Sources Say: "It's an extremely attentive team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of department Simon Purchas is the standout name at the practice and is complimented by clients for his thorough and committed approach.

THE FIRM This team has made a strong name for itself in the police law field. It covers civil claims against the police resulting from demonstrations, including the human rights aspects, and also handles claims under the statutory scheme for compensation for miscarriage of justice.

Sources Say: “A highly effective, experienced and knowledgeable group of lawyers."

THE LAWYERS Jocelyn Cockburn is a leading name for inquests and related judicial reviews and civil actions. Susie Labinjoh's broad practice covers civil actions against the police and prison service, including public law challenges, human rights issues and compensation claims for miscarriages of justice.

THE FIRM This impressive firm is recognised for its excellent work in the police law field, with a wide-ranging practice that includes actions against the police, police complaints, deaths in custody and inquests. The group also specialises in cases with a human rights angle.

Sources Say: "A team with a fantastic and ever-increasing reputation.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Mahy specialises in judicial review and human rights work and has built up an impressive practice. “He's the best human rights lawyer north of the Watford Gap, particularly with respect to police cases,” clients say.

THE FIRM This group is involved in a broad spectrum of police law work, including wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, assault, trespass, unfair disclosure in relation to Criminal Records Bureau checks, malicious prosecutions, police misconduct and IPCC investigations.

Sources Say: “An extremely thorough and solid team.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sanchia Wheeler is a contact.

THE FIRM This well-established firm maintains a solid practice, with strong client relationships and an impressive reputation for police law work. The practice covers judicial review, police complaints, civil actions against the police, and matters connected to the misuse of police powers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sarah McSherry has a developing practice and is praised for her work in the sector.

THE FIRM This compact but impressive practice covers a broad range of issues including wrongful arrest, Human Rights Act matters, claims for false imprisonment, assault and battery, malicious prosecution cases, police complaints, deaths in custody, judicial review and misfeasance in public office. The firm advised on Gaubert v West Yorkshire Police, a case that concerned the first ever use of a Taser by the police in West Yorkshire.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Iftikhar Manzoor is “a superb solicitor and a real specialist when it comes to the class action and protester cases.”

THE FIRM This group advises on a range of cases, including inquests where there has been police involvement, cases arguing for the destruction of DNA evidence for those no longer suspected of crime, and unlawful detention cases.  The team recently advised on an unlawful detention case for a patient under the Mental Health Act.

Sources Say: “A team of excellent solicitors.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Topping has an impressive practice.