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Nicola is an Associate in the Weightmans police team based in London. She specialises in defending civil actions against the police and represents a number of police forces across the country. She predominantly advises on litigated claims for all the core areas of public liability claims. Nicola has gained rapid experience in defending multi-track claims to trial, including jury trials. She is currently instructed to oppose the appeal of a high-profile use of force claim in the Court of Appeal, and a trespass to property claim with a pleaded value of over £3milllion.

Recently reported and notable cases include:

  • Andrew Reynolds v The Chief Constable of Kent Police [2024] EWHC 2487 (KB) — important guidance provided on the scope Fundamental Dishonesty under s.57 CJCA 2015 in police claims.
  • Leonard Ogilvy v The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and The Chief Constable of Kent Police [2024] EWHC 732 (KB) — successfully resisted an interim application for the return of property under s.54 and s.59 Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
  • Edwin Afriyie v The Commissioner of Police for the City of London [2023] EWHC 1632 (KB) and [2023] EWHC 1974 (KB) — concerning the use of a ‘taser’ as reasonable, proportionate and necessary use of force and the application of Qualified One-way Costs Shifting.
  • Kieran Upadrasta v The Commissioner of Police for the City of London [2023] EWHC 1853 (KB) — interim application regarding permission to bring a claim for false imprisonment under s.139 Mental Health Act.

Nicola enjoys keeping up to date with recent legal developments. She has previously delivered training on the rising trend of “police auditors” and how to manage them, as well as virtual training to in-house police lawyers on the most common civil actions against the police.

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