About Oliver Carter
Oliver is a Senior Associate in the Civil Liberties & Human Rights team. Oliver joined Hodge Jones & Allen in June 2026 after working at another law firm for over 15 years.
Oliver specialises in inquests, civil actions against the police and other public authorities, and judicial review cases. Oliver has particular expertise in representing bereaved families in inquests following deaths in police custody or in prison, including where the death results from use of force by police or prison officers.
Oliver has acted in claims against the police for assault, false imprisonment, misfeasance in public office, discrimination and breaches of the Human Rights Act, and in judicial review challenges against government departments, coroners, the Independent Office for Police Conduct and local authorities.
From May 2015 to May 2019, Oliver was co-chair of Young Legal Aid Lawyers, a national group of junior lawyers which campaigns for access to justice and seeks to promote social mobility and diversity in the legal profession.
In July 2019, Oliver received a Special Award at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards for making an exceptional contribution to legal aid and access to justice.
Oliver is a member of the advisory committee of Legal Aid Practitioners Group and the steering group of Inquest Lawyers Group.
“His deep understanding of complex civil and inquest proceedings, sharp attention to disclosure, and ability to clearly explain legal processes to bereaved families are truly exceptional.” “Oliver is very much on top of the law and proceedings. He is very insistent with thinking strategically but also collaborative and has a real client focus.” - Chambers UK, 2026
“Oliver is so very understanding and very knowledgeable. I am so happy I have him dealing with this for me and my family.” “Oliver is great to work with. He is collaborative, impressively knowledgeable and skilled in his areas of expertise and extremely committed to his clients” “Oliver has huge capabilities and future star potential.” “Oliver is an excellent solicitor.” - Chambers UK, 2026
Notable Cases
O’Brien v HM Assistant Coroner for Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens [2026] EWCA Civ 499 – acted in a successful judicial review appeal against a Coroner who restricted the scope of an inquest concerning domestic abuse. The inquest into the death of Linda O’Brien is ongoing.
Lampard Inquiry (2026) – advised four charities in relation to their witness evidence to the Lampard Inquiry into mental health related deaths in Essex between 2000 and 2023.
Giedrius Vasiljevas inquest (2025) – represented the wife and son of a 40-year-old man who was fatally shot by a Metropolitan Police firearms officer. The inquest jury concluded that Giedrius had been lawfully killed. The Senior Coroner and an independent firearms expert were critical of failings by the police.
Azroy Dawes-Clarke inquest (2025) – represented the family of a 28-year-old Black man who died after being restrained by prison officers at HMP Elmley. The inquest jury concluded that the prolonged restraint was inappropriate and disproportionate.
Disabled Facilities Grants judicial review (2024) – acted for a disabled child in a successful judicial review challenge to the government’s failure to review the upper limit set in secondary legislation for grants to fund adaptations to disabled people’s homes.
Megan Davison inquest (2024) – represented the family of a 27-year-old woman who took her own life whilst suffering from Type 1 diabetes with Disordered Eating (T1DE, formerly known as diabulimia). The Coroner made Reports to Prevent Future Deaths to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and local NHS bodies.
FN v Metropolitan Police (2024) – acted for a non-binary person in a successful claim against the Metropolitan Police under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights for failures by the police to effectively investigate serious sexual offences.
John Bennett, Lacey Bennett and Connie Gent inquests (2023) – acted for the parents of three children who were murdered following failures by the Probation Service to assess and manage the risk of a dangerous offender. The Coroner concluded that there were very stark omissions by the Probation Service that contributed to the deaths.
Lesley Davison v HM Senior Coroner for Hertfordshire [2022] EWHC 2343 (Admin) – acted in a successful application for a fresh inquest under section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988.
Ladkin v Independent Office for Police Conduct [2021] EWHC 122 (Admin) – acted in a judicial review challenge against the Independent Office for Police Conduct concerning its investigation into the death of a woman following a police pursuit. Oliver also acted for Jessica Ladkin’s parents in the inquest into her death.
Michal Netyks inquest (2018) – represented the family of a 35-year-old man who died on the day he was due to be released from prison after being told he would be detained pending possible deportation to Poland. The Coroner made a Report to Prevent Future Deaths concerning the lack of access to free legal advice for people in prison who are liable to deportation.
Fairway Day Centre judicial review (2018) – acted for a disabled woman in a successful judicial review challenge against Birmingham City Council concerning the decision to close a day centre for disabled adults.
Client Comments
Client Comments
- “Thank you so much for all you have done. The standard of your work and ability to listen to me, when we needed you, is astounding. You have given my father and I a voice. I have been so stressed out by all of this and so has my father. But we don’t feel alone with you on our side.” – Ms E
- “I am deeply moved by your quick and efficient response and willingness to help. It gives hope to see even that even when faced with brick walls, there are those who are there provide a ladder and help you up and over.”– Mr N
Memberships
- Inquest Lawyers Group (member of steering group)
- Legal Aid Practitioners Group (member of advisory committee)
- Young Legal Aid Lawyers (former co-chair)
- Police Action Lawyers Group
Articles & Publications
- Oliver has written about human rights, legal aid and access to justice for a number of publications, including Legal Action, The Justice Gap, Solicitors Journal, Socialist Lawyer and openDemocracy.
- Whilst at his previous firm, Oliver was the Law Society Gazette ‘Lawyer in the news’ in October 2021, following his work on an application for a new inquest for Megan Davison
Career
- Senior Associate, Hodge Jones & Allen, June 2026 – Present
- Associate Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell, May 2021 – June 2026
- Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell, March 2017 – May 2021
- Trainee Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell, August 2015 – March 2017
- Paralegal, Irwin Mitchell, October 2010 – July 2015
Education
- Legal Practice Course, BPP, 2011-2013 (part-time)
- MA Human Rights, University College London, 2009-2010
- LLB Law, University of Birmingham, 2005-2008
