Background:
Beatrice’s first degree was in History & English at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. She did a second degree, in law, at Oxford University, took the BVC at ICSL and was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in November 2004.
She accepted tenancy at 5 Essex Court in 2006 and was appointed to the Attorney-General’s “C” Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown in 2009.
Described by solicitors as providing “extremely clear advice” and as “a calm and effective advocate”, since joining Chambers in October 2006 Beatrice has developed an impressive practice in the areas of Police law, Public Law, Employment and Personal Injury. Her work also includes public inquiries and inquests.
She is a versatile and experienced advocate who appears in the County Court, the First Tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber), the Employment Tribunal, Coroners Courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Police Law:
Beatrice represents and advises Chief Constables, police authorities and the Independent Police Complaints Commission in public law claims, malfeasance claims (wrongful arrest, assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and misfeasance), disciplinary proceedings, inquests and employment claims. She also provides advice on policy and operational issues.
Ongoing cases:
Beatrice is currently instructed by the Chief Constable of South Wales (led by Jeremy Johnson QC) in a number of claims brought following the collapse in December 2011 of the UK's biggest trial involving alleged police corruption. Beatrice is representing the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis at an inquest into the death of a British citizen occurring abroad.
Recent police law cases include:
Palmer v Chief Constable of West Mercia (2012): Represented the Chief Constable in a three day civil action involving claims of assault and false imprisonment.
Allsobrook v Independent Police Complaints Commission (2012): Represented the IPCC in a judicial review challenge to the IPCC’s decision to grant dispensation from investigating a complaint brought by Mr Allsobrook.
Ridley v Independent Police Complaints Commission (2012): Represented the IPCC in a judicial review challenge to a decision to refuse to uphold an appeal against the findings of a police investigation into a complaint made by Mr Ridley.
Akarohor v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (2011): Claim for damages for false imprisonment and assault.
Fairweather v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2008] EWHC 3073 (Admin): Represented the Commissioner of Police in an appeal to the Divisional Court by way of case stated of a District Judge’s conclusion that an ASBO was necessary under s.1(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act.
R (on the application of Christine Hurst) v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis [2007] UKHL 13: (Led by Ian Burnett QC and Anne Studd). Represented the Commissioner of Police in an appeal to the House of Lords concerned with the scope of s.2 of the Human Rights Act 1998 in inquests relating to deaths occurring before October 2000.
Public Law:
Beatrice’s successful public law practice involves her representing and advising on behalf of central government departments, claimants and other public authorities. She has experience in prisons, immigration and asylum, human rights, criminal injuries compensation, freedom of information, and data protection law. She is recognised for her pragmatic approach and her attention to detail.
Ongoing cases include:
Currently instructed on behalf of Home Secretary (led by Jeremy Johnson QC) in a number of claims brought in the High Court by asylum seekers seeking damages for alleged infringements of their rights under Article 8 ECHR resulting from maladministration and delay in the granting of their asylum applications.
Acting for the Home Secretary in litigation brought by asylum seekers who formed part of the “legacy” cases processed by the Case Resolution Directorate.
Acting for the Home Secretary in various claims for false imprisonment within an immigration context.
Acting for the Home Secretary in several judicial review challenges involving visas refused under the “points based system”.
Acting for the Secretary of State for Justice in litigation brought by a terminally ill prisoner detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 who is seeking compassionate release under the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997.
Acting for Home Secretary in a judicial review challenge to her refusal to renew the claimant’s passport.
Acting for the Crown Prosecution Service in a claim for malicious prosecution.
Recent public law cases:
R (on the application of HS (Uganda)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2012] EWCA Civ 94: Successfully represented the Secretary of State for the Home Department in an appeal to the Court of Appeal concerning a fresh claim under paragraph 353 of the Immigration Rules.
The Billy Wright Inquiry: From 2007-2010 Beatrice was instructed as a junior counsel on behalf of the Northern Ireland Prison Service in the public inquiry into the shooting of Billy Wright in the Maze Prison.
Inquests:
Beatrice is regularly instructed by the police and the prison service to represent them at inquests where the deceased has died in custody and is experienced at dealing with sensitive inquests involving the application of Article 2.
Ongoing inquest work includes:
Inquest investigating the suicide in prison of a remand prisoner.
8 day inquest following a death in custody where the deceased was discovered to have sustained a head injury shortly prior to death.
9 day inquest following a death in custody.
Recent inquests (all 2012):
Leo Parsons deceased
Robert Deane deceased
Michael Bishop deceased
Rodger Davis deceased
John Bateman deceased
James Collins deceased
Paul Harris deceased
Employment Law:
Beatrice has a rapidly expanding employment law practice with an emphasis on unfair dismissal and discrimination. She acts for both claimants and respondents and has experience of all aspects of unfair dismissal including redundancy, misconduct and performance related dismissals as well as public interest disclosure dismissals. In the discrimination field she has a particular interest in disability discrimination.
Ongoing employment work includes:
Various claims for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination
Recent cases:
Wallsh v DWP (2012): Represented the respondent in a claim for unfair dismissal arising out of the misuse of the respondent’s computer systems.
Drakes v DWP (2012): Unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.
Smith v Ministry of Justice (2011): Unfair dismissal.
Mather v Ministry of Justice (2010): Unfair dismissal and pregnancy discrimination.
Personal Injury and Other Civil Work:
Beatrice acts for both claimants and defendants in a wide range of personal injury claims including claims arising from road traffic accidents, industrial disease (asbestos, WRULD, deafness claims, occupational asthma and stress at work), manual handling and other work place accidents.
Ongoing claims include:
Currently representing the Defendant in a 4 day part-heard trial in the county court where the claimant is claiming damages for alleged harassment.
Recent cases:
Morrison v (1)Balfour Beatty Workplace Limited (2) The Department for Work and Pensions (3) Telereal Trillium Limited (4) GHS Group Plc (2012): Litigation arising out of a workplace accident.
Ferraro v DWP (2012): Claim for damages arising out of the processing of the Claimant’s Job Seeker’s Allowance.
Clarke v Department of Health / The Chief Dental Officer (2011): Successfully applied in the High Court to strike-out the Claimant’s claim for damages arising from alleged negligent advice given regarding the safety of dental amalgam.
Costs:
Beatrice has an interest in costs litigation and has been instructed in a number of costs only claims.
Ongoing cases:
Beatrice is instructed on behalf of the Defendant in costs litigation currently being appealed by the Claimant to the Court of Appeal.
Recent cases:
Stomgrove v Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (2012): Successfully represented the Defendant in the First Tier Tribunal in an application for costs with a complex history.
Anis Vika v Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (2012): Successful appeal in the County Court in a claim concerned with fixed success fees and the interpretation of CPR 45.23 and CPR 45.24.
Lectures:
Beatrice provides CPD lectures to solicitors on all aspects of her practice. Recently she has lectured on the power of arrest, harassment at work, whistleblowing, and representing witnesses at public inquiries.
Education:
ICSL, 2003-2004
St Hugh’s College, Oxford University, 2001-2003
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge University, 1994-1998
St. Paul’s Girls’ School, London (Junior and Senior Scholar) 1986-1993
Interests:
Contemporary Art, Arsenal FC, Swimming