We represented a client who was unlawfully detained in prison for sixteen days beyond his correct release date.
The unlawful detention
On the day of his correct release date, our client repeatedly informed prison staff that he believed he should have been released. Despite raising his concerns on multiple occasions, his warnings were dismissed and no meaningful action was taken to review his detention status.
As a result, he remained in custody for over 16 days longer than the law permitted. Unlawful detention of this nature can give rise to a claim for false imprisonment, as the state has a strict duty to ensure that individuals are not deprived of their liberty without lawful justification.
Our approach
Once instructed, we conducted a detailed review of the chronology and relevant custody records. We identified clear evidence that our client had been held beyond his lawful release date. Following robust pre-action correspondence with the relevant authority, we set out the legal basis of the claim and the losses suffered by our client.
In November 2025, we secured a settlement of £3,520 plus our reasonable legal costs without the need for court proceedings.
Our client was represented by Solicitor, Natalie Acheampong-Sarpong.
Unlawful detention (also known as false imprisonment) occurs when someone is deprived of their liberty without lawful authority or beyond the period permitted by law.
If you think you have been detained without legal justification, you may have grounds for a claim.
Not always. Many claims can be resolved through pre-action correspondence and negotiation.
