Doughty Street Chambers

Sam specialises in public law, civil actions against public authorities, and inquests and inquiries. He has been instructed as junior counsel in the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, the Privy Council and in major public inquiries.

Sam has significant experience in both private and public law matters, primarily arising out of interactions of individuals with police, prisons, mental health care, and social care. He is regularly instructed in inquests, civil trials, and in High Court matters. He has acted in the Al-Sweady Public Inquiry, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, and the Undercover Policing Inquiry.  He acted for the family of Phillipa Day in the inquest which found that her death had been caused by 28 errors and systemic problems within the Department of Work and Pensions and Capita.  He has acted in a number of significant public law matters including SG v SSWP (lawfulness of the benefit cap), Moseley v Haringey (on public consultation), JfK v SSHD (provisions for child spies), and AR v Waltham Forest (provision of secure accommodation).

In 2019 Sam was shortlisted for Legal Aid Barrister of the Year by the Legal Aid Lawyers Practitioners Group.

Year of call: 2011

Sam is the co-editor with Stephen Cragg QC of the forthcoming edition of LAPG’s book, ‘Police misconduct – legal remedies’.

Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association

LLB, University of Birmingham

MA (English Literature), Butler University, Indianapolis