Police Law: Mainly Claimant: UK-wide

This team continues to stand out as "foremost in the field" of police law, representing those who have suffered ill-treatment, abuse of power or neglect of duty by the police and other detaining authorities such as prisons and immigration detention centres. It has a particular focus on protester cases, police violence and matters relating to the police's investigative obligations, and clients have "nothing but praise for the firm." The team provides "excellent and thorough analysis of its cases, and is very astute as to what the client wants and ensuring it meets the client's objectives."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "first-class" Fiona Murphy is a much-revered figure in this sector. Her work has a particular focus on intentional tort claims including assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and achieving accountability for police misconduct. She is handling the Babar Ahmed case, which involves allegations of actual bodily harm. She founded the firm with Raju Bhatt, who is described as "unbelievably good" due to his significant expertise in police malfeasance cases. He is currently representing the family of Daniel Morgan in a high-profile case alleging police collusion in his 1987 murder. Tony Murphy is another highly respected practitioner at the firm, and he has been acting for a victim of sexual assault in a widely reported matter which concluded in the Director of Public Prosecutions issuing a public apology for her treatment by the CPS. Nogah Ofer is another "fantastic lawyer," who market sources agree has further consolidated this leading practice since her arrival last year. She is particularly well versed in claims arising from the failure to properly investigate allegations of sexual assault. Shamik Dutta recently joined from Fisher Meredith, and is identified as a "tactically shrewd litigator."

This group maintains its undisputed position as a leading firm for actions against the police. It offers advice and representation across the board of harassment, false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, discrimination, breaches of human rights and data protection. Its workload includes representing the National Union of Journalists in actions against the police relating to freedom of the press, as well as acting for a group of claimants in the high-profile judicial review of the Metropolitan Police following the News of the World phone hacking investigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS 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 the G20 protests. Stephen Grosz is part of the team handling the 'undercover cops' matter following the collapse of the criminal trial of six environmentalists. Sources identify Najma Rasul as an "inspiration" for her dedication and hard work. She is best known for her work in G20 protest-related litigation. John Halford is acting in a unique judicial review of 'non-harassment notices' issued by the police. Sources identify Anna Mazzola as "absolutely fantastic; she is very accommodating and you can always rely on her."

The well-established team at this excellent civil liberties firm is held in high esteem by market sources. Sources comment that "it really pushes boundaries; the team is so dedicated to the work it does and all of its lawyers are so sharp and on the ball." Its expertise includes police claims and judicial reviews of the police, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and coroner's decisions. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Senior partner Gareth Peirce is universally recognised as a heavyweight in claims involving breaches of civil liberties. Marcia Willis-Stewart is another practitioner with a strong market profile, and she focuses on inquests involving deaths in custody. Harriet Wistrich has enormous sector experience, with particular expertise in cases involving rape. Debaleena Dasgupta has recently joined the team from Fisher Meredith. She also specialises in matters involving victims of sexual offences, and interviewees agree that she is "a real fighter who will explore every avenue and is extremely creative and innovative."

This stellar team is part of the firm's wider civil liberties practice. It is regularly instructed in a broad spectrum of work including police shootings, deaths in custody, issues of race and the use of restraint.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Admiring sources laud Jane Deighton as "always brilliant," and she has an enviable reputation for her work in high-profile matters such as the Mark Saunders inquest. Sarah Ricca is equally highly regarded for her vast experience of police litigation.

Market sources consider this team to be "one of the best in the field," and it maintains its excellent reputation despite a number of recent partner departures. It handles the full range of civil actions against the police including racial discrimination, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and Human Rights Act claims. One particular area of focus at the moment is protest-related actions, especially those that involve 'kettling'.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Arthur is held in high regard by sources, who praise his "encyclopaedic knowledge of police and prison law," his commitment and enthusiasm and his "good oversight of the strengths and weaknesses of a case." He is currently acting in a multiparty claim that raises novel complex issues of vicarious liability and duty of care.

This leading human rights and criminal justice firm offers an impressive police law offering. It is currently representing Rachel Nickell's fiancé in a high-profile case before the ECHR relating to the police's failure to properly investigate her murder. It also has expertise in police wrongdoing, assault, negligence and malicious prosecution. Clients appreciate the added emotional support that its lawyers provide in sensitive cases, commenting that "the team puts its heart and soul into the case."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of the civil department Daniel Machover is currently representing the families of two murdered French students in a case involving the State's failure to protect them. Sources say: "He is a fantastically sensible and committed lawyer who is not afraid to get stuck in and take on large challenges." Sources are equally quick to praise Kate Maynard as "extremely thorough, personable, professional and incredibly generous with her time." Stefano Ruis, who has joined from Fisher Meredith, has a stellar reputation in the field. He "is so careful and meticulous, he always produces incredible results," say clients, who also praise his litigation style as "controlled, calm and effective" and regard him as a "safe pair of hands."

This firm houses high-profile criminal and civil liberties departments, which puts it in a good position to deal with a range of claims against the police. It handles matters relating to malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, assaults and protests, as well as having a substantial focus on death in custody inquests. Interviewees commend it as a team that "works hard for its clients and is always well prepared, sensible and realistic."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jocelyn Cockburn is highly recommended for her expertise in military cases, representing the families of army personnel in actions relating to deaths and injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is also representing Neville Lawrence in the ongoing police investigation into his son's murder. Susie Labinjoh is highly regarded as "a fantastic police lawyer who is hard-working and really knows her stuff." She is best known for her work achieving compensation for miscarriage of justice cases. Anna-Louise Thwaites has experience in inquests and police assault claims. Sources laud her commitment to the work, commenting: "She pushes the arguments as far as she can to get the best result for her vulnerable clients."

This "fantastic police action team" has expertise in anti-terrorism law and police prosecution which positions it well to advise on IPCC complaints and judicial reviews of police, and on IPCC and coroners' decisions, as well as claims for false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and discrimination. The group has had a busy year acting in some of the most cutting-edge and high-profile cases; it successfully secured a verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest into Ian Tomlinson's death at the G20 protest and also achieved significant damages for the widow of a British man who was tortured and who was later killed by an unmanned US drone in Pakistan.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Market sources agree that the "prominent" Jules Carey has had an exceptional year, the pinnacle of which is his work leading the team in the Ian Tomlinson inquest. He deserves plaudits for "his unshakeable devotion to his clients," his "good grasp of the law" and his "meticulous, pragmatic and sensible approach." Andre Clovis is highlighted as "one of the best litigators in his field; he is extremely tenacious and hard-working for his clients." He offers over 16 years' experience handling actions against the police, as well as acting for victims of serious crime. He recently won an important malicious prosecution case in a unique action relating to Operation Ore. Manchester-based Kieron Walsh handles the full range of police law and is described by impressed sources as "an oral library; he can tell you about the jurisprudence on anything."

This group advises on claims relating to false imprisonment, discrimination, negligence and misfeasance. It continues to focus on work involving the right to protest and has recently been instructed in a potential action against the Metropolitan Police arising out of 'kettling' in the recent student protests. It also handles a substantial amount of complaints relating to the police force's search powers. Clients appreciate the team as "an outward-looking and professional one that always makes us feel welcome."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Sarah McSherry is respected for her expertise in public and private law challenges to the police and other statutory bodies. She also represents the families of those who have died in police and prison custody. Fiona McNelis receives recognition for her work with assaulted immigration detainees. Clients appreciate her clear advice, adding that "she has brilliant judgement and is never late with deadlines." 

This team specialises in cases with a human rights angle, as well as handling a substantial amount of death in police custody inquests. It recently began judicial review proceedings against the coroner for his failure to carry out an adequate investigation in the inquest into the death of detained Neil Rogers. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Mahy heads the dedicated police misconduct team and has vast expertise in actions that involve civil liberties issues.

This well-respected legal aid firm works out of Leeds, and is a member of the Ison Harrison partnership. Areas of expertise include the exercise and misuse of police powers, compensation claims and deaths in custody, and the team also regularly works in close conjunction with the firm's criminal, prison law and immigration departments.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Purchas heads the public law and civil liberties group and has an excellent reputation for his work on compensation claims and judicial reviews. He is also well versed in prisoners' rights law.

This police law practice has a strong presence in the North, advising on claims relating to mistreatment by the police, police negligence, wrongful arrest, excessive force and the abuse of ‘stop and search’ procedures. It is also building up a substantial practice acting for protesters in their actions against the police.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Iftikhar Manzoor skilfully handles a range of claims against the police, with a particular focus on cases arising from the misuse of police Taser guns.

This Liverpool-based team is commended for its client service. It handles both private and publicly funded work across the range of wrongful arrest, unlawful imprisonment, malicious prosecution, assault, recovery of property and breach of human rights claims.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Topping heads the actions against the police department and has a prominent market profile.