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Police Law
Leanne has an impressive police law practice, undertaking tribunal and advisory work for many of the Forces round the country and covering the full spectrum of police work. She prides herself in understanding the realities and pressures of practical policing and has been instructed in cases of wider significance for Forces around the country.
Civil actions against the Police
Leanne is regularly instructed by Chief Constables in civil actions, including wrongful arrest/ search, assault, malicious prosecution, negligence and human rights breaches.
Recent examples include:
- Claim against Force for failure to properly observe a detainee whilst in police custody where the detainee slipped into a diabetic coma.
- Allegations of assault and negligence arising out of the use of police dogs at a football match.
- Allegations of excessive use of force during arrest of claimant.
Leanne also has experience of public order related matters and has recently delivered part of a 2 day seminar to a force’s public order officers on practical and legal problems in this area.
Applications in the Magistrates' Court
Leanne is experienced and adept in representing the police in the civil applications in the magistrates' court. Her practice covers POCA applications, ASBOs, DBOs, Gang Injunctions, SOPOs, ROSHOs, Closure Orders, Football Banning Orders, VOOs, Notification and Travel Orders. She also deals with Police Property Act hearings. As part of her practice in this area Leanne frequently appears in the Crown Court on appeals.
Recent examples include:
- Acting for a Force in a POCA forfeiture application involving 20 interested parties where the sum forfeited was in excess of £80,000.
- Obtained the first drinking banning order in England and Wales (under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006) instructed by Thames Valley Police.
- Advising and representing Thames Valley Police in obtaining a 5 year ASBO directed at the respondent’s aggressive stalking behaviour. This application also necessitated special measures’ applications to protect the female victims.
- Represented the Metropolitan Police in obtaining a 5 year ASBO, containing wide-ranging prohibitions, against a violent gang leader in North London.
Inquests and Inquiries
Leanne has very extensive experience of inquests, both through her police and medical law practices. She has represented Forces at a variety of Article 2 inquests where her understanding of practical policing and custody practices greatly assists. She was the sole junior representing the British Transport Police in the 52 inquests into the bombings of the 7th July 2005, sitting before LJ Hallett, and considered to be the most significant inquests in recent years. Her involvement was comprehensive and included organising and conducting a massive disclosure process, attending internal police training exercises, and being the sole legal representative in court for several weeks during the hearings.
Recent examples include:
- Representing the British Transport Police at the 52 inquests into the bombings on 7th July 2005.
- Acting for a Force in an Article 2 inquest where the deceased fell and hit his head while in a police cell and intoxicated. He died shortly afterwards (in hospital). One of the key jury issues was the adequacy of assessments and reviews under PACE.
- Representing a force where officers’ use of s136 Mental Health Act 1983 was being scrutinised.
Operational Advice
Advising on operational matters represents a significant part of Leanne’s police law practice and frequently necessitates close consideration of the HRA 1998. She has particular expertise in advising on police powers at an operational level. Leanne provides both tactical and legal advice and was deeply involved in providing such guidance when representing the British Transport Police in the 52 inquests in the bombings on 7th July 2005.
Recent examples include:
- Advising a Force on the general powers of civilian police staff, especially civilian investigating officers, under the Police Reform Act. This was a wide-ranging advice with extensive budgetary and policy level implications for Forces across the country.
- Conducting very extensive research for the Serious Organised Crime Agency in respect of the powers of constables, immigration officers and customs officers.
- Advising on the legal and practical implications of publishing a summary of key police powers to be distributed to officers.
- Delivering part of a 2 day public order seminar to a force’s public order officers.
Licensing Act 2003 hearings
Leanne represents police at hearings before licensing committees and at appeals in the Magistrate’s Court. She has acted in a large number of licensing hearings and understands the intricacies of the legislation, as well as the need for a practical approach.
Firearms’/ Shotgun Licensing
Leanne regularly appears in the Crown Court, representing the police in firearms’ and shotgun appeals.
Disclosure
Leanne has several years of experience representing forces at disclosure hearings in the Family Courts, both in the High Court and County Court. She is experienced in dealing with sensitive issues and advising on public interest immunity matters.
Other
In addition to the above, Leanne represents Chief Constables at police misconduct hearings under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2008 and on appeal to the Police Appeal Tribunal. Recently she advised on the interaction between investigations into police and civilian staff conduct being addressed by a Force, the IPCC and a Coroner.
Leanne also advises and represents forces in judicial review proceedings.
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