Sam Jacobs

Sam Jacobs

Actions against the police and public authoritiesbusiness crime and investigationsinquests and public inquiriescommunity care and healthdata protection and information law, Doughty Street Chambers

Work Department

Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities Business Crime and Investigations Inquests and Public Inquiries Community Care and Health Data Protection and Information Law

Position

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.

Education

LLB, University of Birmingham

MA (English Literature), Butler University, Indianapolis

Mentions

London Bar

Inquests and inquiries

LEADING JUNIORS4

Sam Jacobs – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Sam has an excellent ability to carefully review and assimilate complex facts and provide legal analysis. Clients like his common sense approach, and he is an excellent communicator. A confident and serene advocate.'

London Bar

Police law (claimant)

LEADING JUNIORS2

Sam Jacobs – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Sam is an excellent advocate. He is always calm and measured in his approach, which means he gains the respect of the court. He is skilled at cross-examination and solicitors have seen him calmly and effectively demolish police officer witnesses. He knows the points to pursue and does so with great skill. ‘