Malicious Prosecution Claims | Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors

Malicious prosecution

If you have been prosecuted for a crime you did not commit, this will have been an extremely upsetting experience. The consequences for your life will have been extensive – it may have impacted your work, your relationships, and your health.

But all this will have been made substantially more distressing if you were prosecuted through deliberate malice on the part of the police. Thankfully, if you have been a victim of malicious prosecution, there are steps you can take to seek redress – and that includes pursuing compensation through a civil action against the police.

Here at HNK Solicitors, we have helped many clients to secure the compensation they deserve following malicious prosecution. Our team of experts are committed to securing the best possible outcome for those affected by police misconduct, and we offer free consultations to help you understand our process.

Read on below to find out more about malicious prosecution and the steps you can take it you’ve been affected.

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.

What is malicious prosecution?

Malicious prosecution refers to instances where you have not only been prosecuted for a crime you did not commit, but in which this prosecution was pursued in bad faith by the police.

With this in mind, it’s important to understand that malicious prosecution differs from wrongful arrest and unlawful detention (though these may occur simultaneously). While the latter are certainly distressing experiences – and either of them may entitle you to purse compensation through a civil action against the police – they can be based on a mistake or oversight by the police.

To successfully claim for malicious prosecution, on the other hand, there must be evidence that there was a deliberate intention to pursue a prosecution for which there was no justification. This could involve:

Fabrication of evidence
Bias by police investigators
False testimony by officers
Deliberate failure to conduct a full investigation

In any of these cases, there will be a strong argument to claim that the prosecution was carried out in bad faith.

Can I make a malicious prosecution claim?

In order to make a malicious prosecution claim, you will need to meet a few key criteria. You will need to have:

Been acquitted of the offence or for the charges to have been dropped during proceedings.
Evidence that the charges were brought not through a simple mistake or through negligence on the part of officers, but through deliberate malice.
Suffered some damage as a result of the prosecution – for instance, legal costs, loss of earnings, reputational damage or emotional distress.

If these three apply to you, then you may well be entitled to pursue a malicious prosecution compensation claim.

However, if you are unsure about one or more of these criteria, it is worth discussing the matter with an experienced solicitor. They will be able to discuss your case and clarify any uncertainties you might have.

Why seek compensation for malicious prosecution?

The prospect of pursuing a compensation claim for malicious prosecution may seem like a major step, especially if you are continuing to suffer the after effects of the experience.

Nevertheless, it’s important to take the option seriously. Seeking compensation can be a significant step toward moving on from such a distressing incident. It can help you to:

Cover medical expenses. You may have found that the aftermath of your experiences left you needing support for physical or mental health issues, which compensation can help you to tackle in the most effective way.
Make up for lost income. Malicious prosecution may have led to you losing your job or taking time off work, as well as potentially costing you paid opportunities in other areas. Compensation can help offset these losses.
Acknowledge your suffering. It’s important to remember that by receiving your compensation, you are also receiving an acknowledgement that serious mistakes were made, which can significantly help as you move on with your life.

As you can see, there are potentially life-changing benefits of seeking compensation for malicious prosecution. And with the support of experienced solicitors, the process itself can be straightforward and stress-free.

Image of The Royal Courts of Justice, London. The Law Courts, The Royal Courts of Justice houses the High Court and Court of Appeal of England and Wales.

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...

How to make a malicious prosecution claim

In order to claim compensation for malicious prosecution, you’ll need to take the police force responsible to court. This is called a civil action against the police.

In order to do this, you’ll require the support of an experienced actions against the police solicitor. They will be able to take charge of the whole process on your behalf, including helping to gather the evidence needed to support your claim and presenting the case in the most compelling way.

A solicitor with experience with this type of claim will also have a better understanding of what you’re going through. That means they will be able to provide tailored and sensitive support throughout the whole claims process.

HNK Solicitors are your malicious prosecution claims specialists

If you have been a victim of malicious prosecution, this will no doubt have had a serious and ongoing impact on your life. That’s why it’s essential you consider pursuing a malicious prosecution claim. By receiving compensation, you’ll be better placed to pursue your recovery and move on from this devastating incident.

Here at HNK Solicitors, we have extensive experience in supporting malicious prosecution claims. As specialist actions against the police solicitors, we’ve helped many clients to secure the compensation they deserve following police misconduct, allowing them to rebuild their lives and look forward to a brighter future.

If you are considering a malicious compensation claim, our team of experts provide free consultations. You’ll be able to benefit from their in-depth knowledge of the relevant legislation, with no obligation to pursue a claim. If we think you are entitled to compensation, we can offer to take up your claim on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Get in touch today on 0151 668 0809, or email us at enquiries@hnksolicitors.com to book your free consultation.

Free Consultation

No-win, no-fee

We can accept instruction on a no-win, no-fee basis, so it won’t cost you a penny upfront to start your malicious prosecution claim.

Get the outcome you desire

Our expert lawyers will fight the malicious prosecution on your behalf, to get the outcome you desire.

FAQ

How do I prove malicious prosecution?

Malicious prosecution involves more than simply being prosecuted for a crime you did not commit. It also requires this prosecution to have been pursued in bad faith by the relevant authorities, and for you to have suffered damage as a result.

While proving that you suffered damage as a result of the prosecution is likely to be quite straightforward, it can be difficult to prove that malice was involved in the decision to charge you with a crime. You will need to gather evidence of deliberate wrongdoing on the part of the police. This may include CCTV footage, witness statements and documents related to the police investigation.

This is why it is vital to work with an experienced solicitor when pursuing a malicious prosecution claim. They will be able to help you with requesting the necessary evidence for proving your case, giving you the best possible chance of success.

What can I do if I feel I have been maliciously prosecuted?

If you feel you have been maliciously prosecuted, it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Malicious prosecution is a serious matter, and can have a significant and long-lasting impact on your life.

With expert legal support, however, you may be able to seek compensation through a malicious prosecution claim. This will be an extremely important step toward recovering from the damage that malicious prosecution can cause.

What is the time limit for making a malicious prosecution claim?

You have six years to make a malicious prosecution claim from the date at which you received a favourable outcome on your case – i.e., you were acquitted or the charges were dropped. However, given the challenges of proving malicious prosecution, the sooner you can start the claims process, the better. As time passes, it may become more difficult to gather the necessary evidence.

What is the average compensation received for malicious prosecution?

Malicious prosecution claims are extremely varied, and the compensation you receive will depend on various factors. This includes the damage done to you as a result of the prosecution – including any lost earnings or medical costs – and the length of time it takes to secure an outcome. For a more general overview of compensation for actions against the police, read our police compensation payouts guide.

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Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors

4.4

Based on 206 reviews

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David Shepherd

07:49 27 Apr 24

100pc true caught in a NO WIN NO FEE trap with hnk never been in debt in my life until I came across hnk now I'm 20 grand in debt yes 20 grand now I have sleepness nights depression and no money to pay the 20grand I tried to pull out halfway through the claim but was told I would be liable to thousands and thousands of solicitors fees so I'm in 20grands worth of debt hnk walk away with a high 5figure sum in legal aid fees claimed through me appaling solicitors update advised me to remortgage my house to pay the debt

Ben Stokes

12:43 26 Apr 24

Fantastic service throughout. Professional and knowledgeable solicitors who hold corrupt and dishonest police officers to account. Settled my case within 3 months. Made an awful situation somewhat better. Highly recommended.

imrie Michie

16:10 25 Apr 24

They kept me informed all the way through the process it did take time but they got me a result I will use then again and again and a special thanks to Michelle McMahon

Stephen Chipchase

14:59 23 Apr 24

100% recommended, I was kept in the loop from the start and the team answered any questions I had.We had a fast resolution and should I be unfortunate enough to need solicitors in the future I won't hesitate calling HNK

Drew 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

Learner 2 Driver Academy

16:17 20 Oct 23

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 Francis

14:33 29 Sep 23

Amazing service. prompt, successful and professional throughout. Would highly recommend.

_ 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Beveridge

11:31 10 Nov 21

Very quick to get everything sorted. Would phone me and update me on the progress. Highly recommend

christine 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 moore

20:07 08 Apr 21

Excellent company to deal with. Highly professional, responsive to client needs and very thorough. Would recommend.

Megan 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 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 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.