Police law

Charlotte’s practice embraces all areas of police law including judicial review, inquests, licensing, police pensions 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 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 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 (under section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and/or common law principles of judicial review) 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.

B v Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary: acting for the Defendant in an ongoing High Court civil action for false imprisonment and breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998 to be heard by a judge and jury.

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.

Policy advice re lost property: advised as to the duties and obligations on the police vis a vis the finder and/or original owner of lost property handed in to them, with particular regard to the difficulties posed by items potentially containing personal/sensitive data and/or images.

R (on the application of Claire Booth) v (1) Independent Police Complaints Commission (2) Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary: acted for the Defendant in judicial review claim challenging the conduct and findings of an investigation carried out by the Second Defendant into a complaint against police brought by the Claimant.

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:

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.

Re Norfolk Constabulary:advised Norfolk police on a number of non-contentious employment matters including positive action policy;career development policy; the conduct and content of Performance and Development Reviews;potential liabilities of the Constabulary in respect of volunteer workers.

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: acting for the Defendant in ongoing action for damages in relation to alleged chronic pain syndrome.

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.

Eden v Norwich Union Insurance Ltd: fast track road traffic accident trial (acting for Claimant)

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 has provided extensive NPIA-approved training to police forces on all aspects of the 2008 Conduct and Performance Regulations and co-authored a detailed practical guide to the new misconduct processes.

She provides CPD lectures to solicitors on all aspects of her practice.

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