Bindmans has a reputation for excellence in the complex and constantly changing field of actions against the police and other detaining authorities in the criminal justice system. Our Police Misconduct Department is consistently ranked as leaders in the field; famed for cutting-edge work that has helped to hold the police to account and to protect individual liberties and freedoms for over 30 years. Our wealth of legal expertise and strategic vision, combined with hard work and commitment, allows us to consistently achieve excellent outcomes for those we represent in this challenging area of law.
We are a first port of call for individuals, groups and organisations wishing to hold those in authority to account for wrong-doing. The team includes department head Chez Cotton, ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers UK 2012 and described as ‘extremely passionate and practical about getting the result’ and Najma Rasul, ranked as ‘one to watch’ in Chambers UK 2012 and described as ‘inspirational’. We can link in with and seek specialist input from other in-house departments where this will help your case.
Remedies available
The team will help you get the best possible outcome for your circumstances, which might include:
- Damages awarded by a Court
- Damages achieved in an out of Court settlement
- An apology
- A finding of liability
- A declaration of illegality
- An agreement to ensure lessons are learnt and/or training implemented by the police force/prison etc
- Deletion of DNA/other biometric data/photographs and/or Police National Computer Record
- Cost recovery
- Other remedies tailored to your particular circumstances
Areas we cover
We deal with all areas relating to misconduct, abuse of power and unfair treatment by Police Forces (London and nationally), individual police officers, the Prison Service/Private Prisons and individual prison officers; and other detaining authorities and organisations related to the Criminal Justice System, including:
- Wrongful arrest
- False imprisonment
- Assault and battery
- Protection from Harassment
- Malicious Prosecution
- Misfeasance in Public Office (abuse of power)
- Complaint and Misconduct proceedings against officers
- Inquest/Death in Custody work
- Discrimination/Equalities Act claims
- Judicial Review/Administrative law
- Human Rights Act claims
- Negligence
- Miscarriage of Justice claims
- Breach of confidence
- Breach of Data Protection Act rights
- Freedom of Information Act
- Wrongful interference with goods
- Deceit
Our Police Misconduct team belong to the Police Action Lawyers Group, which is a national organisation comprised of solicitors, barristers and legal executives who represent claimants against the police and other detaining authorities throughout England and Wales. Chez Cotton is a co-ordinator of PALG.
