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Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Solicitors Specialising in Complaints Against the Police

Susie-Labinjoh-2
Susie Labinjoh
Partner
Claire Brigham
Claire Brigham
Partner
Cormac McDonough
Cormac McDonough
Partner
Jocelyn Cockburn
Jocelyn Cockburn
Partner
Maria O'Connell
Maria O’Connell
Partner
Sasha Barton
Sasha Barton
Partner
Alisha McSporran
Paralegal
Aniqa Khan
Paralegal
Aston Luff
Aston Luff
Solicitor
Brid Doherty
Bríd Doherty
Associate
Charlotte Sykes
Charlotte Sykes
Solicitor
Darcey Hayes
Paralegal
Gimhani Eriyagolla
Gimhani Eriyagolla
Associate
Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell
Solicitor
Isabelle Robson
Isabelle Robson
Paralegal
Lottie Baldwin
Lottie Baldwin
Solicitor
Megan Finnis
Megan Finnis
Solicitor
Rebecca Shotton
Rebecca Shotton
Solicitor
Ronan Stewart
Rónán Stewart
Trainee
Ruth Waters-Falk
Ruth Waters-Falk
Solicitor
Sabrina Pinto_Website
Sabrina Pinto
Paralegal
Sarah Flanagan
Sarah Flanagan
Associate
Sebastian Del Monte
Sebastian Del Monte
Solicitor
Shakti Bhagwansingh
Shakti Bhagwansingh
Solicitor
Sion Morgan
Sion Morgan
Solicitor
Stephen Hare
Stephen Hare
Paralegal

We can hold police forces and officers to account for their accounts through police complaints.

Complaints are normally pursued alongside claims for compensation. However, they can be brought in their own right, in any situation where you believe you’ve been mistreated by the police or where you seek an apology or disciplinary proceedings against an officer.

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Specialist guidance

Our experienced and dedicated team of solicitors know how complex, challenging and emotionally demanding the process can be. They will guide you through every step of the way. They will assist you from the initial complaint, to an appeal to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC); and where necessary, a judicial review of the IOPC’s decision.

Some common areas of complaint include:

  • Use of excessive and/or unjustified force
  • Abuse of power, e.g. wrongful arrest, unlawful stop and search, failure to investigate an offence
  • Harassment by police officers
  • Discrimination

“VERY HAPPY WITH THE EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH THIS FIRM... THEY KEPT US INFORMED PERIODICALLY OF THE PROGRESS AND IT REACHED A SUCCESSFUL ENDING.”

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Successful track record

Our team has brought successful complaints in high profile cases, such as the death of Fiona Pilkington. This resulted in misconduct proceedings against officers who failed to investigate her complaints of harassment.

Our team have secured apologies from various forces, including Essex Police following their mistreatment of those arrested during the Dale Farm evictions, and from the Metropolitan Police following the unlawful arrest of an anti-monarchist demonstrator during the Royal Wedding in 2011.

Contact our specialist team on
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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Why come to Hodge Jones & Allen?

Over 40 years’ experience

We’ve been helping individuals bring complaints against the police and other public bodies since the firm was founded.

Proven expertise

We’ve a strong track record of achieving successful and favourable outcomes for our clients. We’re independently recognised as some of the UK’s best lawyers in this field.

Compassionate approach

We understand how difficult legal proceedings are and we always take a compassionate and caring approach when dealing with our clients.

"EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT…THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR HELP. YOU HAVE GIVEN OUR FAMILY HOPE THAT WE CAN STILL BE HEARD.”

HJA Chambers firm logo 2024 PNGLegal 500 uk-top-tier-firm-202

 

 

 

“The whole legal team are professional and empathetic with excellent communication.” “They are excellent in all regards, and are extremely kind, patient and helpful.” “The quality of their lawyers, the work they generate and the way they handle cases are excellent.” – Chambers UK, 2023

“The team at Hodge Jones and Allen is of excellent quality, from the most junior member of the team up to the most senior of partners. They work exceptionally well as a team and have been involved in some of the most prominent and high profile cases of recent times.” – Legal 500, 2023

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How to get in touch with us & what happens next

Contact our highly experienced team

Whatever your needs, our team of highly experienced solicitors will provide you with the help and advice you need. To seek advice from our specialist team of solicitors contact us by telephone or through our online form.

We’ll gather the information to review your case

Once we have spoken to you and obtained the details of your complaint we’ll let you know whether we can assist you. If we’re able to assist, one of our specialist solicitors will be in touch to discuss the case with you in more detail and talk about your options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

My son was arrested and says that he was mistreated by the policemen who took him into custody. Can I make a complaint and claim compensation?

Although your son may feel he was mistreated, he may not be able to claim compensation. If your son is over 18 then he has to make a complaint himself. This is relatively straightforward if he’s supported by a specialist police complaints solicitor.

So if he makes a formal complaint, who decides whether the policemen should be prosecuted?

The decision rests with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS will be given a copy of the investigation report and other evidence.

How much compensation will he be able to claim?

If he has a strong case, then he will be entitled to claim damages. The amount of damages varies depending on the severity of the complaint.

Is there a time limit for making a complaint and claiming damages?

Yes. You must act quickly as the time limits are strictly enforced. If you’re making a claim under the Human Rights Act then you need to issue your claim within a year of the incident. If your claim relates to negligence, then the time limit is three years. For other claims, the time limit is normally six years.

I lost my job as a result of being arrested. How can I afford to fund my claim?

Funding a legal action through the courts yourself can be expensive. If you meet the Legal Services Commission’s financial criteria, you could be eligible for public funding (‘Legal Aid’). Alternatively, if we think you have a strong case, we may be able to agree a no win no fee agreement with you.

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"Very happy with the experience I had with this firm. They kept us informed periodically of the progress and it reached a successful ending."