'Charlotte Ventham is "always thoroughly prepared" and "offers an excellent service" with "a quick turnaround time" for her paperwork. She represented the Chief Constable of Hampshire in an inquest arising from the high-profile police shooting that occurred in Chandler's Ford in Hampshire 2007' - (Police Law) Chambers and Partners 2013

'Charlotte Ventham ... is recommended for her excellent judicial review practice and for her strong analytical skills.' Chambers and Partners 2011

Police law

Charlotte’s practice embraces all areas of police law including judicial review, inquests, licensing and civil actions for false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, negligence and misfeasance.

Charlotte has particular expertise in police disciplinary matters and played a key role in developing and delivering NPIA-approved training to police forces on all aspects of the 2008 Conduct and Performance Regulations. She regularly represents police forces at misconduct hearings and in the Police Appeals Tribunal. Charlotte has considerable experience acting for both police forces and the IPCC in judicial review claims arising out of misconduct proceedings.

Charlotte also deals with employment and discrimination matters for the police and regularly advises on policy, procedure and operational issues.

Recent cases:

R (on the application of Montgomery) v 1) Police Appeals Tribunal, 2) Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2012] EWHC 936 (Admin): judicial review concerned with the meaning and scope of the grounds of appeal to a Police Appeals Tribunal under the 2008 PAT Rules and the admissibility before the PAT of evidence not before the original misconduct hearing.

Inquest touching the deaths of Paul Nunes and Andrew Markland: inquest arising out of a high-profile police shooting incident in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire in 2007 in which members of the MPS “flying squad” intercepted an armed robbery on a cash in transit vehicle.

R (on the application of Game) v Chief Constable of Avon & Somerset [2011] EWHC 3567 Admin: judicial review challenging the decision not to expunge a caution from police records on the basis the Claimant had been induced into accepting the caution at the time.

Inquest into the London Bombings of 7 July 2005: junior Counsel for City of London police in the inquests into the deaths of the 52 victims.

Benn v Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary [2010]: defended the Constabulary against claims of false imprisonment and breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998 in five day civil jury action.

R (on the application of Francis Boyle) v Haverhill Pub Watch [2009] EWHC 2441 (Admin): appeared on behalf of Suffolk Constabulary as an interested party in a case concerning the reviewability of a decision by a pub watch scheme to ban the Claimant from licensed premises. The Claimant argued that the pub watch should be subject to review by virtue, in part, of the role played by the police in its operation. As such the case had far-reaching implications for pub watch schemes across the country.

R (on the application of L) v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (Admin): acted for the Chief Constable in a judicial review claim concerned with determining the position in law of an individual who has joined the police force but not yet been attested as a constable and, in particular, whether such a person should be regarded as a probationary constable under regulation 12 of the Police Regulations 2003 (such that he/she then falls to be dealt with under regulation 13).

Re police disciplinary proceedings: advised and represented a police force in relation to an officer who had allegedly engaged in inappropriate and compromising business/social arrangements with a number of covert human intelligence sources giving rise to sensitive issues of disclosure and public interest immunity.

Re (1) police powers and liabilities in respect of lost property, in particular items containing personal/sensitive data and/or images, (2) examination of mobile telephones of detainees: policy advice in relation to the above matters, disseminated to forces nationwide.

Employment law

Charlotte regularly appears in Employment Tribunals on behalf of both Claimants and Respondents. She has considerable experience in cases involving discrimination (sex, race and disability), equal pay, maternity and parental leave, temporary workers, TUPE and unfair dismissal (including redundancy, misconduct and constructive dismissal).

Recent cases:

Robinson v Thames Valley Police Authority: acted for Respondent in claim for disability discrimination (successfully struck out), unfair dismissal and sex discrimination.

Gould v Kent Top Travel Ltd: acted for Respondent in TUPE/unfair dismissal claim in relation to a service provision change.

Bruce v Hertfordshire Police Authority: acted for Respondent in a disability discrimination claim brought by a member of police staff who suffered from dyslexia. The Claimant complained of a failure to make reasonable adjustments, harassment, disability-related discrimination and victimization.

Kumar v MES: acted for Respondent in race and disability discrimination claim in Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal.

Stacey v BOC Group: acted for Claimant in claim for constructive unfair dismissal, direct and indirect sex discrimination and breach of the Maternity and Parental Leave etc Regulations 1999.

Personal injury

Charlotte has dealt with the whole range of personal injury claims from minor injuries to those involving substantial claims for future loss of earnings and care. She has particular experience of accident at work claims involving breaches of health and safety legislation.

Recent cases:

C v Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary: acted for the Defendant in claim for damages arising from chronic pain syndrome involving voluminous medical evidence and disputed expert opinion.

Wicks v Dorset Police Authority: personal injury claim arising out of an accident sustained by a police officer at work including claims for loss of congenial employment, loss of earnings and cost of treatment and care. Advised the Defendant in relation to disputed expert medical evidence and drafted counter-schedule of loss.

Sloan v 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust: advised Claimant on quantum of general and special damages following stabbing injuries sustained whilst working as a psychiatric healthcare assistant.

Lectures/training

Charlotte provides CPD lectures to solicitors on all aspects of her practice. Recent topics include:

Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates

Probationary police constables

Disciplinary proceedings under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008

Education

Bar Vocational Course, ICSL (2000-2001)

CPE/Diploma in Law, City University (1999/2000)

MA Hons in French and Spanish, University of Edinburgh (1991-1995)

Millfield School (1988-1990)

Malvern Girls’ College (1984-1988)

Interests

Skiing, tennis