enquiries@hnksolicitors.com
Mon-Thu 09:00-18:00 | Fri 09:00-17:00

Civil Actions Against the Police

Have you ever been the victim of police misconduct?

Civil Actions Against the Police

If you have been a victim of police misconduct, harassment or have been mistreated by the police whilst in police custody, you could be entitled to compensation. You do not have to accept poor police conduct, if your civil liberties or human rights have been infringed, HNK Solicitors can pursue your police complaint for you.

We have a team of experienced and dedicated Actions Against the Police and civil liberties solicitors with specialist knowledge in this area, who can help provide advice and support with your police complaint. We want to ensure you get the outcome you desire, whether this is a formal apology, disciplinary action against the officer(s) involved or compensation for your mistreatment.

Step 1

Get in touch using our contact forms or any details provided throughout the site.

Step 2

We arrange a free consultation with you to discuss the case

Step 3

If accepted we will action your case on a no win no fee basis.

We understand this process can be challenging and emotionally demanding but our expert solicitors will guide you through the process. We represent clients throughout England and Wales in a wide variety of police conduct cases. Some are instances of minor conduct issues however others are serious failings and gross misconduct issues that have resulted in officers being sent to prison and dismissed.

Examples of Police Misconduct:

There are many different types of police misconduct which you can claim against, including:

  • Assault and battery
  • Police dog bites
  • Wrongful arrest/False Imprisonment
  • Unlawful stop and search
  • Negligence
  • Breach of human rights (e.g. unlawful strip search/trespass to your home)
  • Malicious prosecution
  • Misfeasance in public office (abuse of power by the police)
  • Discrimination under the equality act (e.g. racial, sexual, etc.)
  • Retention/misuse of personal information such as DNA and finger-prints
  • Disclosure and Barring service complaints
  • Judicial Review
  • Trespass to property
  • Breach of data protection
Police of the Metropolis

Download Our Guide

Get in touch

Fill out the below form and one of our advisors will get in touch to arrange a consultation about your claim.


Call 0151 203 1104

enquiries@hnksolicitors.com Mon – Thu 09:00-18:00
Fri – 09:00-17:00

Case Study

A picture of a blue police light above a police station.

HNK Solicitors secure over £60,000 in damages and legal fees for client in a case against the Police

HNK Solicitors successfully obtained over £60,000 in damages and legal costs for a client in a case against the Metropolitan Police for false imprisonment and trespass to person. Our client had been unlawfully stopped and searched on the street as one officer claimed they suspected him of dealing drugs. However, there was no evidence to suggest our client could have been dealing drugs, and he felt it was a clear case of profiling where officers...
Read More

What should you do?

You need to make a complaint to the police force you are complaining about within one year of the incident. Ideally, this should be a written statement with your full name, address and contact information as well as details of the allegation and complaints you are making. The police complaint process can be quite complex so it is beneficial to instruct a specialist solicitor on police conduct. Consult HNK before you make your police complaint and we can review it for you. The purpose of the complaint is to have the particular officer investigated for the complaint that was made.

 

The force then allocates your complaints to an officer or to the professional standards department to investigate it. It will then be dealt within one of two ways. Local resolution is used in less serious complaints and Local Investigation is used for more serious police complaints where a complaint needs to be investigated further. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation you are given 28 days to appeal the decision.

 

The civil action against the police is conducted with the purpose of obtaining compensation for mistreatment and/or an admission of liability. Actions against the police are often highly defended so it is highly advised you have an experienced legal team, such as ourselves, to help fight your case for you, if you want a successful outcome.  

What can we do for you?

Our actions against the police and civil liberties solicitors have fought many cases throughout the country and are recognised as leaders in the field of human rights law and actions against the police.

 

We are proud to offer a no-win-no-fee service, depending on the facts of your case and an initial assessment. This means you won’t have to pay a penny upfront. We also routinely act under private funding and legal expenses policies. Contact us today to find out more.

Free Consultation

Contact us today to arrange a free no-obligation discussion about your police complaint.

No-win-no-fee

Dependent on the details of your case we can offer a no-win-no-fee service, so it won’t cost you a penny to begin the process of making your civil liberties claim. You are then only expected to pay a percentage of the compensation you are awarded when your case is won.

Get the outcome you desire

Our expert lawyers will fight the police complaint on your behalf, to get the outcome you desire.
FAQ

What can your Actions Against the Police department help me with?

Our AAP department deals with cases where there have been allegations of Police Misconduct.
We have helped hundreds of clients who have suffered a range of issues, such as:

• Wrongful Arrest and imprisonment
• Wrongful stop and search
• Discrimination
• Malicious Prosecution
• Assault and Battery
• Trespass to property
• Human Rights breaches
• Data protection breaches
• Seizure of property

I live outside of the North-West; can you still help me?

We try our best to help anyone who has encountered a problem with the Police. We regularly accept instructions from clients nationwide. Despite our office being based in Liverpool, we can represent clients all over England and Wales. We can deal with matters by way of telephone, letter, and email. We also have a facility so that our clients can sign documentation electronically to not only speed the process of progressing your case but helping us do our bit for the environment too!

Can I take the police to court myself?

In this country, as long as you do not have a civil restraint order, you can issue Court proceedings, however, actions against the police are highly contentious. In our view, the litigation process can be complex for the layperson, so we urge anyone who is wanting to take the police to court to seek legal advice before doing so.

Further, it would be imperative to understand the litigation process and the law to ensure you have the best chance of success.

Won’t the Police just delete the video footage?

If you have suffered an injustice or misconduct by the Police, it is important to act quickly so all relevant footage can be retained. If you instruct us, our specialist team will ensure a request is made for all footage and ensure the police force do everything reasonable to help secure the same.

What is the difference between a police complaint and a police claim?

A police complaint is different from a police claim, as the complaint deals with the standards of professional behaviour and whether the officer has breached the same. If the officer is found to be in breach, then sanctions may be imposed against the officer, such as dismissal, suspension, restricted duties or a warning. The complaints process can also refer the officer to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Unfortunately, in our experience, officers are rarely sanctioned, and the complaints procedure is not always fit for purpose.
A police claim, on the other hand, deals solely with compensation following police misconduct. Unlike a complaint, a civil claim is pursed through the Court system and if successful, can result in damages and legal costs being paid by the Defendant police force.

When should I make a complaint?

Initial complaints need to be made to the relevant police force within one year of the incident. A claim for personal injury damages needs to be made within three years of the incident. Other aspects of your claim such as matters arising under the Human Rights Act must be made within one year. For discrimination complaints, a complaint must be made within six months of the incident. In other areas such as malicious prosecution, false imprisonment and misfeasance in public office, a claim must be made within six years.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Let us know what you’re looking for and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

SPEAK TO OUR TEAM

Call us on - 0151 203 1104 | Email us at - enquiries@hnksolicitors.com
Drew BellDrew Bell
11:45 04 Mar 24
Vivien was brilliant, I won my claim for damages received settling at 5k for a false arrest. She kept me in the loop and followed any instructions I gave her but at the same time she made sure I was informed enough to make certain decisions. Over all would highly recommend and definitely use these guys again if needed.
R MorleyR Morley
10:52 23 Jan 24
Stuck with me all the way through the start and got exactly the result I wanted and even more, didn't think I could be compensated as much due to the circumstances, thanks a lot and would recommend anyone to these services, always professional, keep up the good work.
joe morrisjoe morris
12:22 17 Jan 24
Avoid. I approached HNK as i believe my rights were violated during police custody & interview. I gave a precise account to them including my allegations. They ignored this and drafted their own. They contested my arrest (which they were not instructed to do so) and as the arrest was lawful they closed the file disregarding my allegations completely. There are multiple other people who have experienced the same from this firm. They also have a lot of negative reviews on Trust Pilot. Do your research. It may very well end up saving you time and money. I have now began the process of escalating my complaint to the Legal Ombudsman.
Georgi KolevGeorgi Kolev
11:41 13 Jan 24
Exceptional Advocacy by HNK SolicitorsI am thrilled to share my outstanding experience with HNK Solicitors, who played an instrumental role in bringing action against the police on my behalf. From the outset, their professionalism and dedication were evident. HNK's expertise and strategic approach ensured a positive outcome, instilling confidence in me throughout the process. Their clear communication and genuine concern for my well-being set them apart. I highly recommend HNK Solicitors to anyone seeking expert legal representation. Thank you, HNK, for your exceptional support in securing justice.
Simon SiSimon Si
18:17 10 Jan 24
Very good service throughout, they constantly kept me in the loop and managed a very satisfactory result. I would gladly recommend their service,s to any experiencing the same sort of problems.Many thanksSimon
Loops EntLoops Ent
07:29 22 Dec 23
Very good Solicitor firm, very deligent with their approach. Was an absolute pleasure to work with as they took on my claims against the police and saw to it that a compensation was reached. However this is just one out of many potential cases so am looking forward to working with you guys again.
Dina 21Dina 21
16:35 11 Dec 23
I want to say that the experience I had with this solicitors has been very positive. As through no fault of theirs this case took alot of time.I was impressed with the end results.
Majik EMajik E
13:05 06 Dec 23
Michael Wharton kept me informed throughout my criminal injures claim and was always available for advice and reassurance. Just waiting for my claim to be paid out and that will be a satisfactory end to a traumatic event. Again a big thank you to HNK solicitors.
Matthew HigginsMatthew Higgins
23:31 16 Nov 23
I highly recommend HNK Solicitors for their outstanding work on my case against the police. Vivian was fantastic, providing constant support and making the process much more comfortable. Thanks to the excellent teamwork between her and Alex, we won the case. If you've been wronged by the police, HNK Solicitors are the ones to call.
Christopher MearnsChristopher Mearns
11:58 09 Nov 23
Absolutely shocking for a legal team and solicitors company I've had 2 casses go through HNK and each one of them had the same outcome the evidence was so strong in my case due to the laws and legislation been put in place by the government but HNK seem to know nothing about real defence laws or things that the police have to by law have to follow when your in there care and the monitoring that they have to do under the mental health act but HNK did not chase for this evidence they just toke word of mouth for evidence which they strung it out for nearly 2 years then came back with lame responses. If your looking for a good solicitor company I would recommend you look elsewhere if you want success in your cases as the company is far from professional and they know very little about the laws in place to protect people that are assaulted in the polices care and when you ask to speak to a senior partner within the company its rejected so your never get to speak to any person that has knowledge in the areas of law in question so safe your time and data for a real solicitors company that puts its clients first which HNK never do. I hope this saves some people time and energy in the future when looking for legal representative's
Being the first time having to fight a case against the police I was a bit apprehensive with what the outcome may of been but my solicitor demi was kind and professional and always made me feel at ease every time i spoke to her. I can't thank her enough for the work she put into fighting my case and having Alex as my barrister who I was extremely impress with how he handled my case was a true blessing. So grateful for them both and I have and would forever recommend anyone to work with the firm. Thanks again 😊
Lindsey FrancisLindsey Francis
14:33 29 Sep 23
Amazing service. prompt, successful and professional throughout. Would highly recommend.
_ MediaNPTGwent_ MediaNPTGwent
12:25 08 Sep 23
Have sought the help of Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors on a number of cases now, and they've been nothing but attentive and helpful at getting me the best outcome. Would highly recommend
Scott LPScott LP
15:09 26 Aug 23
They are lawyers, so $$$ is their only agenda and, thus, when we refused the offer of compensation in favour of a public apology, they ended up defending the perpetrators out of spite. Unethical is an understatement.
Courtney LvizCourtney Lviz
10:32 22 Aug 23
I am extremely satisfied with the exceptional service provided by Higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors. Their dedicated work and professionalism in handling my case led to a successful settlement that brought great relief. The team's commitment to excellence is truly impressive, and I appreciate their efforts. I highly recommend their services and am grateful for their support. Thank you, HNK solicitors!- Courtney LV
Anthony SmithAnthony Smith
01:43 26 Jul 23
I must have drawn the short straw if all these positive reviews are authentic.My own case was handled mainly by para legals. Who displayed very little skill, or real knowledge of the law, and definitely lacked any kind of commitment. I received only one phone call in the three years it took them to 'resolve ' my case.The treatment I received from this firm was barely adequate. If you are thinking of using HNK my advice is find someone else. Unless you don't mind wasting three years of your life for very little in the way of compensation.
Turner carlTurner carl
22:34 09 Jul 23
I've learned a lot from life. Even if you are decent, humble, and honest to guys, it doesn't guarantee that they will treat you similarly. I've been married to my spouse for about six years and didn't know he was cheating. I chose to confide in a friend after noticing some changes in his behavior, and they connected me with a hacker by the name of DAVID WILFRED. By remotely hacking and gaining access to his phone call log, Facebook, Messenger messages, phone texts, WhatsApp, Skype, database, and other items, this guy did an amazing and excellent work for me. You can get in touch with this active hacker at (digitaltechhacker @ gmail com).
Kelsea NaismithKelsea Naismith
21:21 03 Jul 23
My solicitors name was Micheal Wharton, he done an amazing job in helping me with my case. He treated me with empathy, respect, and compassion. He is very understanding and kept me up to date with any updates/changes every step of the way. His communication skills are amazing, and he made me feel at ease when talking about my case and reassured me when I was worried.I would highly recommend Micheal Wharton as your solicitor he is very good at what he does and is very professional at all times whilst providing excellent support and advice.I can't thank Micheal enough for everything he has done for me.
Steph McGowanSteph McGowan
13:24 26 Jun 23
Can’t thank Michael enough for doing what he has done for me, he kept updating me on what was happening with the case and I’m very happy with the outcome
Ellen BrownEllen Brown
08:39 31 May 23
Positive service. Treated me with kindness and respect. Didn't make me uncomfortable whilst doing their enquiries.Kept me in the loop at all times and helped me come to a decision that best suited me.Thank you to Michael Wharton for making the effort to help me :)
Al TommoAl Tommo
20:09 19 May 23
Very good service, couldn’t be happier with how they handled my claim and we also got justice and compensated rightly! 5 stars 10/10 does what it says on the tin thank you to the team at Hicks Newton Kenyon
••••
06:45 13 May 23
I was arrested under suspicion of several offences (was not charged with any). This was very Concerning since I was a top law student at the time, gaining a mid 1st for my criminal law work and Human Rights work - The solicitor at this firm involved in my case against the Police clearly knew nothing about criminal law, evidence or HR’s. As none of it happened, I was merely acting within my human rights, hence why the CPS ordered the Police to drop the whole case against me, which they did and with NFA.The solicitor at this firm dealing with my matters should not be a solicitor, as she does not know the law! She was also extremely rude, would not allow me to speak (kept interrupting and talking over me ) was entitled and patronising!I think they updated me just twice in a year!! I will be reporting this firm to the SRA, who are their regulatory body. Absolutely disgusted and a disgrace to the profession.Yes, I was a real client of theirs and this is a bona fida review - I am not at any liberty to give my name, if I don’t wish to.
brian morhanbrian morhan
17:01 26 Apr 23
Absolutely brilliant. They kept me in the loop throughout the process. I am very happy with the result. Very professional team. I would 100 percent recommend them. Thank you Michael.
Gary JonesGary Jones
18:13 16 Mar 23
A rare combination of a very professional company coupled with excellent staff who are equally caring and understanding in their appraoch, brilliant.Highly recommended.
Dan MalcomDan Malcom
17:27 09 Mar 23
who is michelle mcmahonwhy is hnk solicitors Instagram account full of fake followers bot accounts and purchase to follow accountswhy does hnk solicitors most predominantly deal with cases involving white caucasian males and white caucasian females paying out more within the tens of thousands to the hundreds of thousands when white but if any other colour race or religion pays out lesshow much much does each solicitors at higgs newton kenyon solicitors make if most cases are worth £5000 with a waiting time of (12) twelve months
Ashley whitehouseAshley whitehouse
10:11 27 Feb 23
I was assaulted which was a bad experience and left me with a head scar. I decided to use Higgs Newton Kenyon and overall I was impressed with the service they provided me.I was happy with the outcome and I would definitely recommend them.
amber-marie shoemarkamber-marie shoemark
16:30 24 Feb 23
Highly recommend using higgs Newton Kenyon solicitors I most definitely got my justice I deserved could not of done it with out Michael support I got the support and help the very first day Michael got in contact with me and all the support carried on all the way to the last day
M EdgertonM Edgerton
13:29 30 Jan 23
I contacted Higgs Newton Kenyon over a distressing experience with the police and feeling very vulnerable. Lynne Hughes helped me with my case and was really understanding and empathetic. It meant a lot to have someone speak for me and the outcome of the case was better than I expected. Thanks to their service I have been able to put this experience behind me and move on.Would recommend.
Charlie AbbottCharlie Abbott
10:17 30 Jan 23
I received a fantastic, professional service from start to finish. Most importantly I got the justice I deserved due to the hard work of my case handler Lyne Hughes. I would highly recommend Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors.
Aaron McLeodAaron McLeod
18:34 15 Nov 22
Fantastic solicitors, they explained everything to me in great detail, I understood everything they said, always kind and well mannered on the phone and email, great experience with them. Will definitely use them again if need be in the future.
Funandplayful carmellaFunandplayful carmella
17:48 10 Nov 22
Highly professional & thorough. I'm very happy with the service this firm provided & empathy shown & seeking justice on our behalf thank you for all that worked on my case especially Mrs L Hughes.
robin mohamedrobin mohamed
18:27 18 Oct 22
Higgs Newton Kenyon took on my case when others had said they would not. The Paralegal kept me updated as things progressed and I am very impressed with the outcome and the overall handling of my case.Once again thank you for your services and I would highly recommend.
Wonders of LondonWonders of London
08:53 23 Sep 22
They helped us with a claim against police for false imprisonment (stop and search). Very happy with the level of service provided and with the settlement achieved. We will now use the money we got to help someone in need here in London.
yard skiyard ski
12:33 23 Jul 22
I would recommend HNK solicitors as they offer a first class professional service. Call back's and emails to update me with my case and the staff were excellent. Thank you Helen and the team.
Mohammed AbdelmoniemMohammed Abdelmoniem
16:29 11 Jan 22
Absolutely an amazing firm and I would highly recommend them to anyone who has a similar case. I was wrongfully arrested for a crime that I did not do and I approached this firm HNK Solictors for some help and support. After viewing all the evidence, they took the case on. It took a year for the amazing good news to come out. Their hard work and dedication including their professional skills and expertise, has given me the result that I was hoping for. Vivian Lee was amazing and her professional manner in which she dealt with me and the case was remarkable. Well done, Vivian and keep up the good work. Fantastic work!
Ansar HussainAnsar Hussain
15:16 24 Nov 21
Absolutely amazing firm took my case on against the police after wrongful arrest and detention. They were very professional,informative and efficient. As I was advised by them that I had a strong chance of success and success is what they delivered. Jessica Smith thank you for all your hard work.
Maddox XxMaddox Xx
12:03 23 Nov 21
Brilliant Firm and people to deal with, Jessica and the team were professional, i could not thank them enough for resolving my case in a timely manner and keeping me updated through out the whole process. Highly recommend them
Jon BarnesJon Barnes
23:17 17 Nov 21
Like to say thank you to the team who help win the case against the police. Very efficient and professional. I will definitely recommend 👌
Vickie WatsonVickie Watson
01:38 12 Nov 21
Great solicitors. Michael was very helpful and friendly and I would like to say thank you for his help. Definitely recommend these solicitors. Thank you 🙂🙂
Ciara BeveridgeCiara Beveridge
11:31 10 Nov 21
Very quick to get everything sorted. Would phone me and update me on the progress. Highly recommend
christine stockwellchristine stockwell
07:26 30 Sep 21
Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors have been brilliant even through the pandemic, it must be hard to do, they are very informative all the time great value and kind thank you
Frances SJ FinchFrances SJ Finch
10:04 28 Sep 21
I can’t quite put into words how brilliant these solicitors are, they provide a fantastic service and are very gentle when discussing sensitive subjects. Michael has been so incredibly helpful and I would like to send him a massive thanks for everything he has done for me. The receptionist has always also been very polite, friendly and welcoming and I would also like to thank her for supplying a kind atmosphere whenever I have needed to contact the team.
Danny OwenDanny Owen
14:12 09 Aug 21
Highly recommended, I had a claim against the police for an unlawful stop and search and false imprisonment which was has been settled with compensation. I had to put very little effort in and I was kept continually up to date. Vivien Lee dealing with my case could not have been more polite professional and helpful. I won’t be using anyone other than HNK solicitors from now on.
Arome akuboArome akubo
20:34 04 Aug 21
These guys practically won me some cash from BA data breach case. They initiated it and executed it with utmost professionalism without me breaking a sweat. I fully recommend them without any reservations.
Stephen JohnsonStephen Johnson
19:02 02 Aug 21
Absolutely amazing helped me get a good result against merseyside police. very quick and professional definitely would recommend them to anyone will use again ..thank you guys
Tuyet OlvestedtTuyet Olvestedt
10:06 14 Jul 21
Very attentive and thorough service.They communicate regularly and clearly via phone and email. Would absolutely recommend them.Many thanks
Marie Louise RothwellMarie Louise Rothwell
10:51 05 Jul 21
I am very happy with the service I got they were ever so good at dealing with my matter and very polite. They were also very helpful with giving me great advice I would definitely use their services again in the near future I am very happy with the outcome of my case
Stephen StrattonStephen Stratton
10:09 28 Jun 21
Following repeated violations and data protections concerns by the police I was able to secure a settlement which I am very happy with. Demi and her team were helpful, professional and informative throughout. I would highly recommend contacting HNK Solicitors for initial advice with any legal matters.
Sandra WilliamsSandra Williams
11:26 23 Jun 21
After a very Violated experience with the police, my solicitor Demi was there step by step, keeping me up to date with everything. If I ever needed Higgs Newton Kenyon I again I wouldn't hesitate to contact them. Thank you.
Jason PatrickJason Patrick
19:46 10 May 21
I would highly recommend this firm. They have acted on my behalf twice now and have successfully won compensation for both cases. They are a very professional team of solicitors with expansive knowledge of the law. If you want a good result with sound honest advice, then this firm is in my opinion one the best and not afraid to challenge injustice.Thank you,Yours sincerelyJason Patrick
Lauren Jade DouganLauren Jade Dougan
12:47 20 Apr 21
This firm is absolutely amazing. I have been so pleased with how my case was handled and the solicitors kept me informed every step of the way. I am also very pleased with the outcome. I would definitely recommend this firm to anybody.
frederick moorefrederick moore
20:07 08 Apr 21
Excellent company to deal with. Highly professional, responsive to client needs and very thorough. Would recommend.
Megan MaloneyMegan Maloney
14:05 08 Mar 21
So happy with my results worked with Micheal he won my case couldn’t be any more professional at what he does so happy With the outcome thank you so much Micheal .
Charmaine GalleyCharmaine Galley
14:11 07 Sep 20
I can't thank you all enough for the hard work you put into my case. I'm so very grateful xxx
Jeepaz Creepaz MusicJeepaz Creepaz Music
09:45 25 Aug 20
Our go to when one of your artist was wrongfully arrested by the police. They helped us to resolve the issue in a timely fashion.
js_loader
Latest News

Our Case studies

Image of a person's legs lying on the floor next to a car. Car accident concept image.

HNK recover £99,700 for claimant injured during an attempted robbery on his vehicle

In 2018, HNK made a successful claim to The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) on behalf of a claimant for damages...
Photograph of two British transport police officers stood inside a train station.

Kent Police officer jailed for six months for inappropriate relationship with suspect

A former Kent Police officer has been jailed for six months after initiating an inappropriate relationship with a suspect he...
A photograph of a police officer wearing a high-visibility jacket and white helmet riding a police motorbike down a road.

Suing the police: everything you need to know

The police are supposed to help uphold the law and keep us safe – and usually, this is what we...

How do I claim?

For more information on how to claim please click this button

Claim Now
Call Us Claim Now