Deka Chambers

Police Law (Defendant)

Jennifer specialises in General Crime, Prison and Police Law and International work.

Jennifer is authorised by the Bar Standards Board to take cases on a direct access basis. She is also an approved litigator; enabling her to assist clients with all aspects of their case in a cost effective and flexible manner.

Appointments: CPS Level 3 Prosecutor; CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel; Grade 3 Specialist Fraud Prosecutor; Level 3 Specialist Crime Group Panel; Member of the list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law; Attorney General’s Civil Panel C Counsel;

Jennie acts on behalf of police forces in cases touching upon all aspects of police law.  She is particularly experienced in civil actions (claims for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment, personal injury, compromise of personal data, discrimination, and misfeasance in public office) and actions under the Human Rights Act.

She has also advised on the use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources and the interception of communications data under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and Investigatory Powers Act 2016. She is particularly experienced in matters of sensitive operational policing, counter-terrorism and the use of covert sources and witness protection measures.

Jennie is experienced in asset recovery; restraint orders, account forfeiture orders and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. She is regularly instructed to represent forces in judicial reviews of policing decisions.

She regularly represents forces and other public bodies at inquests and inquiries, with a particular specialism in deaths in police custody.

Described by instructing solicitors as: “practical, straight-forward and always available if you need a quick steer” and “friendly, but seriously sharp – don’t let the smile fool you. She never misses a trick and clients love her”.

Recent Cases:

XXX v A Constabulary [2019]: Claim under the Data Protection Act 1998 and Human Rights Act in respect of the placement of a child in a witness protection programme. T v A Constabulary [2019]: Misfeasance in public office allegation in respect of alleged misconduct by an officer during a lengthy investigation into fraudulent trading; B v A Constabulary [2019]: Claim arising from a deliberate disclosure of personal data by a serving police officer; EXB  v GSX [2019]: High Court claim under the Human Rights Act for damages in respect of the treatment whilst in witness protection. Inquest into the death of JP [2019]: Inquest into the death of a young man killed by armed police officers after he took his girlfriend hostage in his flat. Represented the constabulary. Inquest into the death of JM [2018] Murder of a prisoner whilst in custody. Represented the constabulary.

LLM in Transnational Criminal Justice (Distinction – first in year) LLB Law (Hons) (Dunelm) 2:1