Expert Unlawful Detention Solicitors

At GT Stewart, our expert Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities Solicitors provide specialist advice in unlawful detention claims. We guide individuals through complex legal processes with care, ensuring their rights are protected.

Our team has extensive experience in unlawful detention, unlawful arrest, negligence, abuse, assault and battery, misfeasance in public office, malicious prosecution, unlawful execution of search warrants, trespass, trials and appeals. We are committed to providing clear, strategic guidance, helping clients understand the legal process and the options available to them.

Experienced Unlawful Detention Lawyers

Our experienced Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities Solicitors advise clients on unlawful detention at every stage of the legal process. We act quickly where liberty is at stake and, where appropriate, take cases to trial and appeal.

We work closely with clients, families, and relevant professionals to ensure each case is prepared thoroughly and sensitively. Our lawyers aim to achieve lawful and fair outcomes while supporting clients through what is often a distressing experience involving loss of liberty.

Unlawful Detention

Unlawful detention claims often arise where a person has been held without lawful authority by the police or a public authority. This can include detention after bail should have been granted, where bail conditions have been varied or removed, or where there is no lawful basis for continued detention..

We regularly obtain damages for clients who have been unlawfully detained by the police or public authorities. This can arise where an individual is released late on bail, where bail conditions have been modified or removed but detention continues, or where there is otherwise no lawful authority to detain a person after proceedings have concluded.

We represent individuals who currently have or previously had dealings with the police and/or public authorities. Our lawyers are members of the Police Action Lawyers Group, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, and Association of Child Abuse Lawyers.

Our Unlawful Detention Solicitors can help you with:

• Advice and assistance to challenge unlawful detention

• Advice and assistance to secure urgent release from detention

• Emergency applications, including writs of habeas corpus where appropriate

• Advice and assistance where detention continues after bail has been granted, varied or removed

• Advice and assistance in relation to unlawful arrest linked to detention claims

• Claims for damages arising from unlawful deprivation of liberty

• Advice and assistance on misfeasance in public office linked to detention

• Advice and assistance on negligence by police and/or public authorities

• Advice and assistance on unlawful execution of warrants leading to detention

• Securing representation at Court – County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court

• Making applications for public funding

• Advice and assistance on funding arrangements other than public funding

In urgent cases, we can act at short notice and have experience in assisting clients detained in custody or otherwise deprived of their liberty without lawful authority.

Please do not hesitate to contact the team if you require urgent advice and assistance.

Funding Your Case

There are a number of different ways to fund unlawful detention claims against the police and/or public authorities.

Public Funding

If you are in receipt of certain benefits or have a very low income, you may qualify for public funding. We will assess eligibility at the outset of your case.

Before the Event Insurance (BTE) / Legal Expenses Insurance (LEI)

We will investigate whether you have any insurance already in place which could cover the cost of bringing a claim. If such cover exists, your insurer may fund your legal costs.

Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA)

In certain circumstances, where Legal Aid is not available, we will assess whether we can assist with unlawful detention cases on a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) basis. This can include applications for writs of habeas corpus if our client needs urgent assistance with an unlawful detention. This can involve emergency applications out of hours to the Duty Judge at the Administrative Division of the High Court.

After the Event Insurance (ATE)

Where a CFA is used, we may also advise on After the Event insurance. This can protect you against having to pay the other side’s costs if your claim is unsuccessful.

Private Paying

If no other funding arrangement is available, we may act on a private paying basis. This is based on an hourly rate depending on the level of experience of the solicitor dealing with your case.

Our Approach

We recognise that unlawful detention cases involve a serious interference with a person’s liberty and often arise in vulnerable circumstances.

We pride ourselves on building relationships of trust with each client and providing clear, practical advice at every stage of the process.

We aim to provide a flexible and tailored service, including advice by telephone, email, or in person. Where appropriate, we can visit clients in custody, hospital, or at home. Appointments generally take place in one of our offices.

The Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities team works closely with our Criminal, Community Care, Court of Protection, and Family departments. This ensures clients receive a full and coordinated service where issues overlap.

If you would like to discuss your case, please contact us on 020 8299 6000 or make an online enquiry. We will respond at the earliest opportunity.

Why Choose GT Stewart?

Our Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities team is comprised of dedicated and experienced lawyers who are committed to providing high-quality advice and representation in unlawful detention and related claims.

We have a strong local and national presence and regularly advise clients outside London, acting in urgent and complex cases across England and Wales.