St Pauls Chambers has a long-established reputation for representing police officers and police organisations in disciplinary, regulatory and related proceedings.

Members of Chambers act in cases ranging from internal misconduct proceedings and IOPC investigations through to complex misconduct hearings, inquests, judicial review and associated criminal proceedings. Our experience means that we understand not only the law governing police conduct, but also the particular professional and reputational consequences faced by serving officers.

Police Misconduct & Disciplinary Proceedings

Our barristers regularly represent officers facing allegations of misconduct and gross misconduct, including some of the most serious and complex cases.

The team has experience across the full disciplinary process, including:

misconduct and gross misconduct proceedings;
IOPC investigations;
challenges to investigative findings;
allegations arising from the use of force;
honesty and integrity allegations;
conduct both on and off duty;
criminal allegations giving rise to parallel disciplinary proceedings;
interpretation and application of the Police Conduct Regulations;
judicial review and public law challenges arising from police disciplinary decisions; and
associated inquests and criminal proceedings.

Members are experienced in dealing with cases involving substantial documentary, digital, CCTV and expert evidence and understand the importance of providing clear advice at an early stage where an officer’s career may be at stake.

Experience at the Highest Level

Head of Chambers Sam Green KC has extensive experience of the most serious and complex police misconduct proceedings, both presenting and defending.

His wider police practice includes judicial review proceedings concerning the proper interpretation of regulations governing the police service and representation of police officers and organisations in significant inquests and inquiries.

Sam represented the Police Federation of England and Wales in the Hillsborough Inquests, bringing together Chambers’ expertise in police discipline, public law, criminal law and inquests.

IOPC Investigations & Inquests

Chambers’ expertise extends beyond the misconduct hearing itself.

Members advise and represent officers during IOPC investigations and in subsequent proceedings, including challenges to findings where appropriate. Our barristers also regularly represent police officers as interested persons at inquests, including complex and lengthy Article 2 proceedings.

This crossover of expertise is particularly valuable where the same incident may result in criminal investigation, misconduct proceedings, an inquest and potential civil or public law proceedings.

A Team That Understands Policing

Our relationship with policing spans more than four decades.

Members of Chambers have acted for serving and retired officers across a wide range of proceedings and have considerable experience of the particular pressures associated with allegations made against police officers.

That experience enables us to provide robust representation while remaining acutely aware that disciplinary proceedings can affect not simply an individual case, but an officer’s career, reputation and livelihood.

For advice on the appropriate counsel for a police disciplinary, regulatory or related matter, please contact our clerking team on 0113 245 5866.