5 Essex Chambers

John-Paul practices in the areas of police and public law, employment law, inquests, personal injury and regulatory law.   

John-Paul practices in the areas of police and public law, employment law, inquests, personal injury and regulatory law.

Acted for the Government in the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Hussain v SSHD [2022] EWCA Civ 145, a case deciding what test should be applied by Tribunals when deciding whether to determine an appeal on the papers.

Recent Inquest work includes acting for Suffolk County Council in the Inquest into the death of Jo Pooley, acting for Greater Manchester Police in the Inquest into the death of Orianna Crilly-Cifrova.  Also instructed to act for the Ministry of Justice in the forthcoming inquest into the death of Baby A at HMP Bronzefield.

Recent police civil work includes successfully acting for Devon and Cornwall in a four-week civil jury trial.

Recent employment work includes acting as junior counsel in Essop v Home Office and multiple other employment law cases in recent years.

Acted in three public inquiries, including the Billy Wright Inquiry, Robert Hamill Inquiry and Rosemary Nelson Inquiry.

John-Paul was called to the bar in 1995.  He was reappointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel in March 2019, the panel from which Government departments instruct counsel in civil law matters. He was previously appointed to the B and C panels.  He is the author of the Employment Tribunals Handbook, published by Bloomsbury and now in its fifth edition.

Advocate, previously the Bar Pro Bono Unit (BPBU)