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Actions Against Police and State

Our Actions Against Police and State team empower people to hold the police and other detaining authorities to account for abuses of power, unlawful operations and acts, and misconduct.

For over 40 years our legal expertise in this field has helped to protect the liberties and freedoms of individuals, and has made us a first port of call for those seeking justice for wrongs done to them by the state. 

Fantastically passionate team. Able to draw on a number of related and relevant expert teams across crime, civil claims, and public law.

Legal 500 2021

Our civil liberties and human rights solicitors specialise in police law and civil actions. They draw on their wealth of experience to provide a thorough case assessment and offer a strategic vision to remedy the state’s failures.

It can be daunting to challenge the state, particularly the police and other detaining authorities such as the Home Office. Our solicitors are committed to ensuring that the state including the police are held accountable.

We help put right their wrongs and seek justice for our clients when the state has failed.

Our team of dedicated solicitors works tirelessly to represent the interests of individuals, groups and organisations seeking to hold those in authority to account. We have a proven track record of achieving excellent outcomes for our clients and offer a compassionate service to help you through the process.

Here’s how we can help:

  • Complaints against the police and representation throughout misconduct proceedings
  • Civil claims against the police, including in relation to:
    • False imprisonment, unlawful detention and loss of liberty
    • Assault and battery
    • Human rights breaches
    • Negligence and failure to investigate
    • Misfeasance and misconduct in public office
    • Discrimination and claims under the equality act
    • Malicious prosecution
    • Trespass to property or goods
    • Data protection and misuse of private information
  • Challenging policing decisions and police powers
  • Inquests into deaths in police custody or following contact with the police
  • Inquests into deaths in prison, immigration detention or hospital detention

Our solicitors specialise in all areas of police law, including:

  • Pre-emptive policing
  • Covert and undercover policing
  • Stop and search powers
  • Protest policing
  • Police shootings and restraint
Awards and Shortlists

The team is regularly shortlisted and we have received a number of awards for our dedicated work in this field, including: 

  • LALY Outstanding Achievement Award for Hillsborough
  • Law Society’s Excellence Award
  • Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year for Inquests and Actions against the State
  • JUSTICE Human Rights Lawyer of the Year
  • Liberty Human Rights Lawyer of the Year

Our solicitors are highly ranked in leading legal directories, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

What others say

They are highly impressive and are a firm doing some of the most cutting-edge work in the civil liberties area.

Chambers and Partners 2022 – Civil Liberties and Human Rights

It is very much a leading firm in the area.

Chambers and Partners 2022 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

They have an incredible reputation in protest law.

Chambers and Partners 2022 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

The go-to experts in public law challenges to the police.

Legal 500 2022 – Civil Liberties and Human Rights

Exceptional experience. Knowing which cases to fight (and win) against public authorities, rather than a scattergun approach. Enormously respected, with excellent reason.

Legal 500 2022 – Civil Liberties and Human Rights

Strength and depth of the team’s experience across, for example, public inquiries, judicial reviews, inquests and civil actions against the police and other state bodies. The team has a wealth of talent and experience which really stands out.

Legal 500 2022 – Civil Liberties and Human Rights

Jules Carey stands out as a senior partner and Head of the Actions against the Police and State Team. His team is currently involved in some of the most high profile matter.

Legal 500 2022 – Civil Liberties and Human Rights

They are our go-to firm on big, important issues like human rights, policing and protest.

Chambers and Partners 2021 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

They are very organised, very good at communicating things and thinking through.

Chambers and Partners 2021 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

Jules Carey – a real leader in the field.

Legal 500 2021 – Civil Liberties and Human Rights

They bring a combination of technical expertise, commitment and passion to their work, clients are impressed with the high-quality service the lawyers provide.

Chambers and Partners 2020 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

Leading practice with particular expertise advising protesters in mass claims against the state. Equally adept handling covert police issues, deaths in contact with the police and the detention of immigrants. Integrated department working closely with the firm’s civil liberties and criminal lawyers to provide claimants with a full-service approach to police actions.

Chambers and Partners 2019 – Police Law: Mainly claimant

Market-leading firm for covert police issues, deaths in contact with the police and the detention of immigrants. Works closely with other departments within the firm, particularly the crime and media teams. Widely respected for its representation of protesters in false imprisonment and human rights claims. Well versed in claims arising from the use of anti-terror legislation.

Chambers and Partners 2018 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

They have been so understanding and in constant contact – it is more than I could have expected.

Chambers and Partners 2018 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

The team demonstrates a “wealth of experience and expertise” and the lawyers “deliver on the human and legal side.

Chambers and Partners 2018 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

The quality of the solicitors is exceptionally high; they know the law well and are good with clients.

Chambers and Partners 2017 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

Market-leading firm for covert police issues, deaths in contact with the police and the detention of immigrants. Particularly strong in cases arising from unlawful raids and searches, as well as the mass arrests of protestors. Works closely with other departments within the firm, particularly the crime and media teams. Acts for the victims of sexual abuse and advises on the anti-terror law.

Chambers and Partners 2017 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

The team knows the law inside out, the cases are very well prepared and they fight their clients’ corner.

Chambers and Partners 2017 – Police Law: Mainly Claimant

Highly regarded bench of experienced police law specialists, regularly entrusted with some of the most significant and emotionally charged cases against the police. Highly experienced in handling claims involving death or catastrophic injury, as well as civil liberties and human rights-related claims.

Chambers and Partners 2016

Committed and dedicated.

Chambers and Partners 2016

Strategic and very good with clients.

Chambers and Partners 2016

Well organised and prepared.

Chambers and Partners 2016

Bindmans’ Hillsborough team was recognised, along with the other Family Legal Teams, for their outstanding contribution in helping the families of Hillsborough victims obtain justice and truth about the 1989 tragedy. Bindmans’ Hillsborough Team jointly won an Outstanding Achievement Award at the LALY Awards 2016.

Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2016

They are organised, provide updates on progress promptly, and furnish us with documents and information frequently.

Bindmans LLP client

Thank you so much for your kindness, dedication, tenacity and perseverance with our case.

Bindmans LLP client

They are testing the limits of public order and policing in London. Bindmans are punching the edge of the interface with policing and free speech due to their excellent criminal and civil liberties teams. They are a go-to firm for protest litigation.

Bindmans LLP client

Thank you one last time for your uncontestable work.

Bindmans LLP client

Very polite and professional service, acting seriously and sincerely.

Bindmans LLP client
Contact

To speak to our specialist Police Actions team, please complete our enquiry form here or call us on +44 (0)20 7833 4433

Meet the team

Jules Carey
Partner

Head of Actions against Police and State

Alice Hardy
Partner

Public Law and Human Rights

Anna Thwaites
Partner

Actions against Police and State

Joanna Bennett
Associate

Actions against Police and State

Emily-Jade Defriend
Associate

Actions against Police and State

Khariya Ali
Solicitor

Actions against Police and State

Rachel Harger
Solicitor

Actions against Police and State

Joseph Morgan
Solicitor

Actions against Police and State

Jessica Webster
Trainee Solicitor

Actions against Police and State

How can we help you?

We are here to help. If you have any questions for us, please get in touch below.