5 Essex Chambers

John accepts instructions in all of Chambers’ main practice areas with particular interest in police law, public/administrative matters, inquests and information law.

John practises in public law, police law, inquests and inquiries, and data protection/ information law.

He is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel and is frequently instructed to represent Government departments and bodies. He also accepts Direct Access instructions.

In data protection/information law work, he advises and represents the Information Commissioner, individuals, companies, regulators and public bodies, in damages claims and in the Tribunals. He has particular experience in matters relating to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as well as in bringing and defending claims for misuse of private information and breach of the GDPR/DPA. John is an editor of chambers’ monthly bulletin, The Data Brief.

He is regularly instructed in substantial inquests and inquiries by police forces, companies, Government departments, and families, including Article 2 and jury inquests. He acted for Counter Terrorism Policing in the inquest into the 2020 Reading stabbings. He also acts for CTP in both the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry and the Omagh Bombing Inquiry. He acts for the Royal Military Police in the Haddon-Cave Inquiry relating to alleged unlawful killings by UK Special Forces in Afghanistan.

John’s recent police cases include trials for police forces defending false imprisonment, assault and trespass claims, false imprisonment proceedings in the High Court, high-profile police disciplinary proceedings, and judicial reviews for police forces and other public bodies. He frequently acts in civil proceedings involving terrorism and national security.

John served in the British Army from 2006-2013, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Since joining chambers in 2016 following pupillage, he has appeared in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and all three Divisions of the High Court as well as a wide variety of other jurisdictions. He has previously served on the Bar Council, and still sits on its Education & Training Committee as well as chambers’ Pupillage Committee.

Please visit the 5 Essex Chambers website for John’s profile, which sets out full details of his practice including relevant work of note.

ALBA, PIBA, ARDL, Data Protection Forum