What Do You Do When You Have Been Mistreated By The Police?

North Ford Solicitors • 18 January 2022

Sometimes the police may act in ways that are unethical, unprofessional or illegal. If this is the case, citizens can take action against the police officer. It is recommended that you take action if you have experienced discrimination, human rights breaches, excessive force, false imprisonment, illegal searches or any other transgression in order to hold them accountable and ensure it doesn’t happen to someone else.

It’s vital that we are able to trust our police force and taking action against them if they have done something wrong is vital to uphold standards.

Here’s what to do if you have been mistreated by a police officer.

What complaints can I make?

You may be unsure whether a police officer’s behaviour warrants a complaint, if this is the case, it may be worth talking to a solicitor, particularly if it falls under one of the following categories:

● Assault and battery

● Breaches of the Data Protection Act

● Breaches of the Human Rights Act

● False imprisonment, wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution

● Negligence

● Racial discrimination

● Trespass to goods or property

How do I make a complaint?

If you want to make a complaint against a police officer, you will need to find solicitors that specialise in mistreatment by the police. You can choose to make a complaint or take the case to civil court. The solicitors representing you will need to have plenty of experience to understand what is required when the case is taken to the civil courts. They will handle your case with the utmost care and ensure an outcome is reached that is fair.

What happens if I make a complaint or take legal action?

The police will usually investigate your complaint to understand what happened and why it was allowed to happen and they will likely take one of the following steps:

● Take no further action

● Review or change a policy, process or procedure

● Apologise

● Give officers more training, counselling or advice

● Discipline an officer

While it can be stressful to go through this process and only receive an apology, it’s often much better to do this than nothing at all. It shows the police that they will be held accountable for their actions and are much less likely to do it again.

Are you looking for a solicitor to help you take action against a police officer? North Ford Solicitors are available to help you every step of the way. We work hard to ensure every client we serve receives the outcome they deserve. We feel that it is important to take action if a police officer has acted unlawfully or unprofessionally. So get in touch with us today and we will help you with your case. For more information visit our website.

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Kings Bench Division Grants Injunctive Relief to Applicant in Libel Claim

by North Ford Solicitors • 15 April 2025

North Ford Solicitors successfully represented a Claimant in a High Court libel claim for damages of over £100,000. The case, heard in the Kings Bench Division, resulted in a significant victory for the Claimant, who was awarded a default judgment, injunctive relief, and costs. The Claimant was represented by Salmaan Islam and Alexander Braidwood of North Ford Solicitors, with Dr. Liam Wells from Fraser Chambers acting as Counsel. The background of the case involves defamatory statements made by the Defendant on a Facebook group, alleging that the Claimant had bugged her phone and tracked her location without consent. These allegations were vehemently denied by the Claimant, who maintained that the posts were untrue and had caused serious harm to the Claimant’s reputation. Despite being served with the Claim Form, the Defendant failed to acknowledge service or file a defence, prompting the Claimant to seek summary judgment. In the submissions, the Claimant argued that the Defendant had no real prospect of success in defending the claim and that the defamatory posts had caused significant reputational damage. The court was urged to grant summary judgment to further the overriding objective of the Civil Procedure Rules, which aims to deal with cases justly and efficiently. The court agreed, noting that the Defendant's non-engagement justified proceeding in the Defendant’s absence. The court's decision included granting an injunction requiring Meta to remove the defamatory posts from Facebook and restraining the Defendant from making further defamatory publications. Additionally, the court awarded the costs of the application hearing to the Claimant. The quantum of damages is to be assessed at a future hearing, ensuring that the Claimant receives appropriate compensation for the harm caused by the defamatory statements. This case underscores the importance of addressing defamatory statements swiftly and effectively, particularly in the digital age where such statements can spread rapidly and cause significant harm. North Ford Solicitors remains committed to protecting the reputations of our clients and ensuring that justice is served in cases of defamation. If you feel that you have been the victim of defamation of character, contact North Ford Solicitors for more information on how to proceed with your case.