Police Discipline and Police Regulations

Under the umbrella of police law are police discipline and police regulations. Police forces often require independent legal advice on a vast range of matters involving discipline in the police, including:

• Judicial review
• Their statutory powers
• Issues within police disciplinary procedures
• Inquests
• Disability discrimination claims
• Police pensions disputes
• Their relationship with their Police and Crime Commissioner

Police and Crime Commissioners sometimes require legal advice about what they can and should be doing to hold the forces for which they are responsible to account.

Matters of police discipline and police regulations should not be confused with actions against the police, which are civil claims for compensation made through the courts.

Representing Police Forces

Members have experience in representing police forces with issues across the board of police discipline and police regulations. Cases with judgements in the public domain include:

• R (Fisher) v Chief Constable of Northumbria: a dispute over police injury pensions.
• R (Flint) v Chief Constable of North Yorkshire: a dispute over sick pay entitlement.
• R (Chief Constable of North Yorkshire) v IPCC: whether or not it is lawful to refuse to record a complaint about Chief Constable declining to investigate alleged criminal wrongdoing personally.

Our team also has recent experience of acting for Police and Crime Commissioners alleging the unjust enrichment of former Chief Constables by the making of extra-statutory payments.

We have a number of advocates who possess the range of skills necessary to advise and represent police officers in criminal and misconduct proceedings, including experience of major investigations conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and deaths in custody. Additionally, we also have experience in presenting for forces, as well as advising and drafting written responses to charges.

Why Choose St Pauls Chambers Police Discipline Barristers?

At St Pauls Chambers, we have police discipline barristers who are well-equipped to provide advice regarding police discipline cases and, where necessary, advocacy spanning a wide range of issues. Written advice is turned around quickly and is well-researched and clearly expressed.

St Pauls Chambers is a recognised leader in the field of police misconduct hearings, with experience under the 1999, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2020 Police (Conduct) Regulations. Our strong team are skilled in all areas of police discipline and police regulations, and experience with specific cases includes:

• Presenting a case against an officer accused of BNP membership.
• Defending officers accused of a failed harassment.
• Officers accused of gross misconduct.

If you or your client would like to be represented by one of our excellent police discipline and police regulations barristers, please get in touch with St Pauls Chambers today. We’ll assign someone with the correct level of expertise and experience to assist with your case, no matter how complex the issue.