Claire Watson KC

Claire specialises in both medical and police work, including clinical negligence claims, civil actions against the police, disciplinary cases and inquests. In the clinical negligence and healthcare field, Claire has extensive experience of all areas of medicine and dentistry and acts for both claimants and defendants. She also frequently appears on behalf of healthcare professionals in all types of disciplinary proceedings and is regularly instructed in best interests and welfare cases in the High Court and Court of Protection. In the field of police law, Claire has extensive experience of civil actions, inquests and misconduct and performance proceedings. She also undertakes a wide range of advisory work and has a particular interest in advising the police on operational and policy matters. Notable cases include: Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Hooper [2005] EWHC 340 (Admin) – the court’s power to adjourn an application for a closure order under s2(6) of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 not be used so as to extend the adjournment period beyond 14 days after the application had been made; Hemsley v (1) The Information Commissioner (2) The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police (March 2006) – appeal to the Information Tribunal against the refusal by the police to disclose sensitive information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; A Borough Council v (1) A, (2) B, (3) C, D & E (Children by their Guardian) & Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police [2006] EWHC 1465 (Fam) – guidance on the disclosure of information and documents obtained in family proceedings and the use of the same by the police for child protection purposes; GMC v Dr Reid (2006-07) – (Led by Adrian Hopkins QC) GMC professional misconduct case against consultant psychiatrist specialising in gender identity disorder; Inquest into the death of Paul Coker (February 2010) – article 2 inquest into the death of a man in police custody; A Local Authority v (1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D [2011] EWHC 231 (Fam) – paediatrician granted intervener status in care proceedings; GDC v Brancato (October 2011) – dentist charged with misconduct arising from over 60 allegations of sub-standard dental treatment and poor communication.

St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, London; St Hugh’s College, Oxford (BA (Hons) Jurisprudence).