Malicious prosecution claims

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.

How do I claim?

Step 1

Get in contact by using one of our contact forms throughout the site.

Step 2

We will arrange a free consultation with you to discuss your claim.

Step 3

If you have a valid claim, we will accept your case on a No Win No Fee basis.

Step 4

HNK Client Settles for over £7,000 in False Imprisonment and Assault Case Against Leicestershire Police

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 affects 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 224 reviews

review us on

S B

09:59 01 Dec 24

Mike Lynn

12:22 27 Nov 24

Shockingly bad. Dealt with the practice manager who was a brassy overly made-up piece of work. Unclear who is in charge as none seem older than out of school. Cheap set-up, running on unqualified cheap labour and owned by some hustlers who set up the firm because no proper law firm would employ them. No respect for their clients, and a very cheap scouse effort. Nothing good ever came out of liverpool apart from the Beatles, and this firm is testimony to that. Go elsewhere for much better.

P J

08:31 17 Nov 24

Back street moneygrabbing outfit that handles claims from well known Youtube troublemakers.

Alan

16:00 14 Nov 24

So far they have helped me with 2 claims against the police & I couldn't be more happy with the service they provided. They took me through step by step & kept me updated on how things were going. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND HNK Solicitors.

Andrew Johnson

13:15 08 Nov 24

The team are excellent and so helpful. If I ever need help again I will be calling this brilliant team again.

Martin Mcc

13:50 28 Oct 24

Great Service by D Higham. Communication and advocacy excellent.

Mayson Lee

15:26 22 Oct 24

I would give five stars but it took a tiny bit longer than expected And I have to keep their feet grounded. However, Alexandra exceeded my expectations in every possible way and went above and beyond settling my case. Very happy with the service I received would definitely use them again.

Sam Levett

05:58 02 Oct 24

Very professional team with amazing communication, thankyou so much 🙏

David Shepherd

07:12 26 Sep 24

You want your life ruined hnk are for you Absolutely appalling solicitors left me in 33grand debt should be 5 stars below hnk duped me into going to court against police by threatening me with thousands and thousands of solicitors fees if I tried to pull out of the trial 1 female solicitor in particular was very aggressive with threats.this was not a criminal trial it was a no win no fee complaint against police hnk obtained a massive five figure legal aid sum it was obtained because i was on sickness benifits at that time. Suffering from throat cancer i was told that it would cover legal aid costs for the court fees i was compleatley mislead. it all went to hnk. the trial went against me as hnk supplied me with a totally inept incompedent barrister he was weak and submitted easily .Now I'm suffering from depression and its left me with a massive 33k court fees how hnk are allowed to practice is beyond me. Hnk have absolutely ruined my life. my advice is find yourself a decent solicitor there are plenty out there .you don't want to end up in my position I have had to pay a claims company 16half grand which I have had toBorrow of my family the rest is on a payment plan worst mistake of my life was having anything to do with hnk beware you will be told a load of misleading information then you will be caught in there web with no escape except deb now iv had a charging order put on my house now I no why hnk asked me when this no win no fee ha ha started if I had any property i did not realize then it was to secure legal aid crafty. what a situation im in the victim me paying the perpetrators suming up nightmare solicitors the rich get richer the poor get poorer avoid at all costs hnk have left me crippled with debt hide your money hnk are after it hnk have 5 star reviews I will leave that to you imagination happy Xmas to all you at hnk enjoy your lovely high wages and Xmas bonus while they have left me in poverty

Headon Enterprises

14:25 16 Sep 24

I received a good service from Higgs Newton Kenyon Solicitors. Although it took a little longer than expected to get a result.

K D

11:21 14 Sep 24

They’ve done an excellent job for me, I can’t speak highly enough of them and I wouldn’t hesitate to use their services again.

Richard Jones

12:32 09 Sep 24

Excellent service throughout kept me informed and advised and got me the justice I feel I deserved would definitely use again and recommend to family and friends thanks again HNK

Paul Reid

16:51 15 Aug 24

Good firm. Good, clear comms through the process

Iain Sutherland

20:42 12 Aug 24

Excellent firm, they took my case when 5 other firms said no. very professional with great communication throughout.I would highly recommend them to anyone, they care and absolutely do their best for the best outcome possible.I cannot thank them enough for helping to bring me some closure from a horrible experience.If I could give them 6 stars I would.Thank you very much to all the people at this firm for helping and for all your hard work and also staying patient with me when I didn't understand the what when and why's.

Kitcatsnz

13:59 02 Aug 24

Anna Summerhayes

16:09 01 Aug 24

Michelle and Leigha have been absolutely wonderful. They kept me updated, advised and notified me during the whole process of my claim. Michelle fought for more compensation than was originally offered resulting in me being awarded a substantial amount. The justification for me was priceless as in essence it proved an admission of guilt from the Police Force in question. I would highly recommend this company and would definitely use thier expert services again if needed. Thank you for everything ❤️

Alec M

19:00 18 Jul 24

Brilliant staff, brilliant service will be using them again very professional and helpful and a successful claim against the police for misconduct can't thank them enough

Jay Duckworth

20:34 08 Jul 24

Michael from HNK Solicitors provided an excellent, straightforward, and professional service, with the outcome being very positive. Would recommend.

Gemini Love

12:44 02 Jul 24

I have had really good communication from start to finish. I would highly recommend them

O O

10:09 24 Jun 24

Don't' waste your time with this outfit!

Will Richards

20:51 13 Jun 24

I received clear information and updates on the case, though I was disappointed after being advised I could expect a higher level of compensation than I actually received.Nonetheless, I was happy with the friendly and helpful communication I enjoyed, and the work done on my behalf.

Foamy

15:16 12 Jun 24

Phoned them and spoke for 3 hours, they have a policy of taking one crime on its own, so if the crime happens over a few days then they take each day as a separate case!!!!..... so if the evidence for any of these days is linked, they will not count it as they deal with each day on its own!!!!.... useless firm that only wants to make money by making as many cases as they can.....reported to SRA for conduct and basic ignorance to the needs of the client.

James Shaw

14:06 03 Jun 24

Excellent service from HNK with a special mention to Lauren and Leigha. HNK managed to settle my claim to a satisfactory outcome. I was consulted along the way and was fully informed before making any decisions and before any action was taken. Definitely recommend

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

Terry Staples

14:22 25 Apr 24

Amazing and professional

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.

Col Gilbert

10:05 15 Feb 24

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.

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.

christian heath

12:02 29 Nov 23

Been really helpful and quick at getting it done and processed.

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.

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 😊

Milly Ferguson

10:15 19 Oct 23

I would highly recommend!! Got my claim sorted out within months

Cw Cw

20:21 06 Oct 23

Lindsey Francis

14:33 29 Sep 23

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

unome

17:07 25 Sep 23

I thank all involved in processing my claim successfuly. Everyone was professional,helpful and polite.

14:05 16 Sep 23

I took legal action against the police who had falsified evidence against me. I have no criminal record or history of wrong doing. Unlawful arrest, Imprisonment and use of force. With help from this legal firm I was awarded £££££££ in damages. Very Professional and they assured, and informed me throughout the full process.

_ 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

Rob Marchant

18:39 29 Aug 23

Very satisfied with service provided to me! Would highly recommend this company to all ! Robert w Marchant.

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

15:35 14 Aug 23

Excellent professionalism and outcome by Michelle McMahon, thank you.

FullStop Bandit

16:24 05 Aug 23

Steer clear of Vivien Lee unless you are motivated purely and exclusively by undiluted greed and amorality.

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.

David Swift (Loquacious)

23:04 18 Jul 23

Very promising. Will update once completed.

Ankur deswal

17:34 17 Jul 23

Such a wonderful experience with them.Excellent services got such a friendly people thanks HNK .. 🙏🙏

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.

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

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.

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.