Chez deals with all aspects of abuse/misconduct claims and public law challenges against the police and detaining authorities, arising from the criminal justice system.

She has considerable experience of running complex litigation against police forces throughout the UK, including settling cases at an early stage through negotiation, achieving damages, destruction of DNA data/fingerprints/photographs and apologies) through to full civil jury trials.

Her areas of expertise include:

• Civil claims against the police
• False imprisonment, unlawful detention and loss of liberty
• Assault and battery
• Malicious prosecution
• Misfeasance and misconduct in public office
• Human rights breaches
• Negligence and failure to investigate
• Discrimination and claims under the equality act
• Trespass to property or goods
• Challenging policing decisions and police powers
• Privacy rights relating to the misuse and/or retention of data by the State
• Inquest and Public Inquiry work
• Police complaints

Chez trained from 1998 at civil rights firm Christian Khan (then Christian Fisher), under Louise Christian and Mike Fisher.  She qualified in May 2000 and joined the firm’s Actions Against Police team, under Sadiq Khan.

In 2002 she moved to specialist human rights firm Hickman and Rose, where she became a partner.  In 2008 she moved to Bindmans to head the Police Misconduct team.  She left in 2014 to focus on consultancy and international work, particularly in relation to the right to protest/freedom of the expression, and training on rule of law and related issues, most notably in Myanmar with the International Senior Lawyers Project.  She works with individuals, journalists, campaigning and action groups, unions and other organisations.

Chez is a former chair/co-ordinator (2002-2014) and current member of the Police Actions Lawyer Group (PALG).  She is a member of the Legal Action Group (LAG).

LLB: Law (London School of Economics)

LPC (BPP Law School)

Chez joined Mathew Gold in July 2019 as Consultant Senior Solicitor.

She specialises in police law and civil actions.  With over fifteen years experience, she has been at the forefront of holding the police and other detaining authorities to account for wrong-doing, abuse of power, unlawful acts/operations and misconduct.  She is known for working tirelessly to protect the rights, freedoms and reputation of her clients and for promoting fairness and equality.

Chez has been involved in some of the most important and high profile cases in this area, including G20, undercover policing, Fairford/Laporte multi-party action, redress for political journalists/NUJ, Climate Camp, The Thirst (Brixton band, arrested at gunpoint), as well as pioneering work representing disabled prisoners and vulnerable young people who have been mistreated within the justice system.  She has a particular interest in strategic litigation and using new legislation creatively in support of those most disadvantaged in the criminal justice system.

In private practice Chez has consistently been recognised as a ‘key individual’ in claims against the police.  In the Chambers and Partners legal directory she has been described as ‘extremely practical and passionate about getting the result, whilst always remaining completely realistic’ and ’a razor sharp, reliable and shrewd’ lawyer who is ‘incredibly down to earth and easy to get on with.’

Chez is a regular speaker at seminars, conferences, public debates and rallies throughout the UK and internationally, on the right to protest, freedom of expression, disability rights and rule of law issues.  Her work has featured on Newsnight, BBC News, Radio 4 and in the Guardian, Independent and Private Eye, amongst others, as well in international media.