“has great technical expertise and her advice is always on the money” – Chambers and Partners 2010

“[her] busy caseload is the result of the fact that she is a very well-respected advocate who is clear, quick and efficient” – Chambers and Partners 2010

“astute intelligent and incisive…..exactly the sort of counsel you need when defending civil claims” - Chambers and Partners 2009

“very clear in her views and sound in her judgment” - Chambers and Partners 2009

“has terrific wide-ranging experience” - Chambers and Partners 2009

“talented and conscientious” - Chambers and Partners 2008

Fiona has National Security SC vetting clearance

Bar Council Disciplinary Panel Member

Background:

Fiona’s degree was in Law at London University. She took the BVC at ICSL coming first in the Law of International Trade and being awarded the Middle Temple Sachs Law of Evidence prize.

She was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in November 1986.

She accepted tenancy at 5 Essex Court in 1987.

Appointed Head of Chambers at 5 Essex Court February 2010

Police Law:

Fiona practises exclusively in all aspects of police law. She has represented most of the 43 police forces in England and Wales and appears regularly in high profile, sensitive and ground-breaking cases up to Supreme Court level.

She represents the police in civil jury actions, judicial reviews, inquests and public inquiries. She advises on all aspects of police powers including both policy and operational issues. She is regularly instructed to represent constabularies and advise Panels in police misconduct proceedings.

She has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving substantial quantities of documents and public interest immunity issues.

Recent Police Law cases:

7/7 London Bombing Inquests [2010] - leads Charlotte Ventham of Chambers acting for the City of London Police in the inquests into the deaths of the 52 victims.

L v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] UKSC 3 – Led Matthew Holdcroft of Chambers in the Supreme Court in a test case on behalf of the Commissioner concerning the scope of Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates. Instructed from first instance in this case.

The Billy Wright Inquiry [2009] – on behalf of the former Chief Constable of the RUC, Sir Hugh Annesley. The public inquiry into the murder of Billy Wright in The Maze Prison.

Michael Powell [2009]  – an 8 week inquest on behalf of the Chief Constable of West Midlands following the death of a black man in the Lozells area of Birmingham following police use of force and restraint. The death had led to much publicity, local unrest and the unsuccessful prosecution of a number of police officers.

Madeleine McCann investigation [2008] - acted for the Chief Constable of Leicestershire, ACPO and Crimestoppers in legal proceedings in connection with disclosure issues both in the High Court in England and in Portugal in respect of the Madeleine McCann investigation.

Coghlan & others v Chief Constable of Greater Manchester [ongoing] – a major civil jury action arising out of the collapse of a murder trial by reason of alleged misconduct on the part of a senior officer.

Public / Administrative Law:

Fiona appears in high profile public inquiries and inquests.

She regularly appears in the Administrative Court on behalf of Chief Constables, often in test cases.

Recent Public/Administrative Law cases:

Public Inquiries

The Billy Wright Inquiry [2009] – on behalf of the former Chief Constable of the RUC, Sir Hugh Annesley. The public inquiry into the murder of Billy Wright in The Maze Prison.

The Bichard Inquiry [2004] – The public inquiry following the Soham murders on behalf of the Chief Constable of Humberside

Administrative Law

L v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2009] UKSC 3 – led Matthew Holdcroft of Chambers in the Supreme Court in a test case on behalf of the Commissioner concerning the scope of Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates. Instructed from first instance in this case.

L v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2007] 4 All ER 128 – the Court of Appeal stage of the above.

Singh v Chief Constable of West Midlands [2006] 1 WLR 3374 – led Samantha Leek of Chambers on behalf of the Chief Constable of West Midlands. A sensitive case concerning the decision to disperse Muslim protestors from a theatre in Birmingham by using the provisions of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003. This was a test case concerning the scope of the powers under the Act.

X v Chief Constable of West Midlands(2005) 1 WLR 65  - on behalf of the Chief Constable of West Midlands. The leading case on the issue of Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates.

Inquests:

7/7 London Bombing Inquests - [2010] – leads Charlotte Ventham of Chambers acting for the City of London Police in the inquests into the deaths of the 52 victims.

Stirland [2010] - a four week inquest on behalf of the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire concerning the contract killing of an elderly couple in Lincolnshire by an organised crime group.

Michael Powell [2008] - an eight week inquest on behalf of the Chief Constable of West Midlands following the death of a black man in the Lozells area of Birmingham following police use of force and restraint. The death had led to much publicity, local unrest and the unsuccessful prosecution of a number of police officers.

Nicola Sutton [2009] – on behalf of the Chief Constable of Cheshire following the violent death of a young woman murdered by her ex boyfriend when on release on licence.

Lectures:

Fiona provides CPD lectures to solicitors and officers on all aspects of her practice. She regularly speaks at the Association of Police Lawyers (APL) seminars and the Police Defence Lawyers Association conferences. Recently she has lectured on the development of the law relating to Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates; the recent changes in the Police Conduct Regulations and delivered case law updates.

In December 2009 she was a guest on the Radio 4 series Unreliable Evidence talking about the control of collation and dissemination of information on databases.

Education:

ICSL, 1985-1986

London University, 1982-1985

Stratford House School, Bickley, Kent 1968-1982

Interests:

Sport and Travel