Head of the Police Misconduct team. Chez specialises in actions against the police and other detaining authorities, with particular expertise in complex cases involving assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, discrimination (including disability) and claims under the Human Rights Act. She also conducts judicial review, particularly arising from her areas of specialism within the criminal justice arena.

Chez is at the forefront of protecting victims of police misconduct and abuses of power, with considerable experience of civil jury trials and public law matters. She is a skilled negotiator and has achieved significant levels of damages for those she represents.  She is well respected for her innovative work in cases involving the right to freedom of speech and assembly (particularly relating to the right to protest and the right of the press to report on protests).    

Professional memberships

Police Actions Lawyer Group (one of the co-ordinators) and the Inquest Lawyers' Group.

Career

Joined Bindmans LLP as Head of the Police Misconduct team in March 2008. Qualified in 2000 at Christian Khan (then Christian Fisher), moving to Hickman & Rose in 2002 where she was made partner in 2006.  She studied for an LLB at the London School of Economics.

Publications

Chez regularly speaks at public events, including speaking at a House of Commons seminar on freedom of the press issues, at the National Union of Journalists on the rights of journalists and has been a key speaker on policing and human rights issues at conferences organised by Lexus Nexus and other legal providers.  Her work has featured on Newsnight, BBC News, Radio 4 and in the Guardian, the Independent and Private Eye. 

• Chez is a pioneer in using legislation innovatively for the benefit of victims of abuse by the police and other detaining authorities.  She is an acknowledged leader in negotiating significant and creative settlements for her clients.  She has considerable civil jury experience: taking matters to trial for all aspects of police mistreatment and misconduct, with cases against the Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, City of London police and other forces outside of London, successfully obtaining significant damages.
   
• Chez is well known for her body of Article 10 & 11 ‘freedom of press’ cases and work relating to police misuse of terrorist and public order legislation to curtail protest, political dissent and reporting of the same.  She acts for the National Union of Journalists and its’ members arising from treatment journalists have received and ‘freedom of press issues’ arising from policing at Climate Camp, G20 and other politically sensitive events.
   
• Most recently Chez acted for fifteen year old student NUJ member Jules Mattson, who was prevented from photographing a public parade of military cadets by an Inspector, on the basis that he was “running around acting silly, being stupid and gay” [sic] for taking photographs of the event.  Although entitled to take photographs and doing nothing wrong, Mr Mattsson arrested and successfully sued for damages and his legal costs.  An apology was given, which included, ‘The purpose of this letter is to apologise on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) for the distress you have suffered as a result of police actions.  The MPS confirms its recognition that freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy and that photographers have a right to report freely.’
   
• Disability cases against detaining authorities are another area of specialism:  she acts for several disabled wheelchair using prisoners and detained individuals, where disability discrimination is an issue, including redress for wrongful chaining of inmates attending for funerals and medical treatment; and also successfully obtaining compensation for the civil claims against the Home Office/Ministry of Justice, arising from discriminatory treatment within the prison system.

Civil liberties and human rights: Chez Cotton works extensively with protestors and individuals unlawfully arrested or detained by the police whilst taking part in demonstrations. She is "fantastic in actions against the police," and is described as "remarkable."
Police law: Mainly claimant: The "dedicated" and "very tenacious" Chez Cotton has been involved with a number of high-profile cases over the past year, including dealing with the aftermath of the police infiltrator Mark Kennedy, involving 88 claimants against five potential defendants including the CPS, the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency. She is "incredibly dogged in her pursuit of justice for her clients," said one interviewee.
Ranked (Band 1) in Police law: Mainly claimant.
Chambers UK (2013)

The highly esteemed Chez Cotton leads the department. Sources praise her as “extremely practical and passionate about getting the result, whilst always remaining completely realistic.” She recently achieved significant damages for a journalist arising from his treatment by the police when covering G20 protests.
Chambers (2011)

Chez Cotton is a “tenacious and committed litigator.”
Legal 500 (2011)