Menu

Liverpool 0151 236 7191
Preston 01772 254 764

Back to Barristers

Graham Wells

Email
Contact Graham Wells
Year of Call
1982
Education
MA Jurisprudence - Brasenose College, Oxford
Email Contact Graham Wells
Year of Call
1982
Education
MA Jurisprudence - Brasenose College, Oxford
Print CV to PDF
The Legal 500 - The Clients Guide to Law Firms

Acts for the police in judicial reviews, inquests into deaths following police contact, liability questions and disciplinary issues.

Strengths:" His knowledge of police law is second to none."
Legal 500

Public Liability

  • Civil jury trials – wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution
  • Issues concerning police powers and operations, such as search warrants
  • Issues of operational negligence and human rights, such as failing to respond to threats
  • Personal injuries caused directly or indirectly by police actions.

Employer’s Liability

  • Personal injuries suffered in the course of service
  • Health and safety concerns arising out of policing

Disciplinary

  • Presenting officer
  • Legal adviser to panels

Inquests arising out of policing

  • Deaths in custody
  • Article 2 inquests where the police have been connected with the deceased in the period before the death

Judicial review

Medical negligence cases, for claimants – surgical, medical, psychiatric

Personal Injury for both claimants and defendants, involving all kinds of accidents and injuries resulting both from trauma and from industrial diseases; from small claims to the most severe.

Professional negligence cases:

Several group actions, with subjects as varied as claims for dust on housing estates following local authority repairs to the houses and claims arising from the prescription of LSD within the NHS.

Health and Safety work, having been instructed to act on behalf of international companies in prosecutions brought by the HSE arising out of accidents at work, usually involving fatalities.

Commercial involving contractual disputes




   Primarily actions involving the police of all types, acting for the police.




Legal 500 "Noted for his expertise in handling suspected fraudulent claims." and " a passionate advocate. "




Public Liability

  • Civil jury trials – wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution
  • Issues concerning police powers and operations, such as search warrants
  • Issues of operational negligence and human rights, such as failing to respond to threats
  • Personal injuries caused directly or indirectly by police actions.

Employer’s Liability

  • Personal injuries suffered in the course of service
  • Health and safety concerns arising out of policing

Disciplinary

  • Presenting officer
  • Legal adviser to panels

Inquests arising out of policing

  • Deaths in custody
  • Article 2 inquests where the police have been connected with the deceased in the period before the death

Judicial review

Medical negligence cases, for claimants – surgical, medical, psychiatric

Personal Injury for both claimants and defendants, involving all kinds of accidents and injuries resulting both from trauma and from industrial diseases; from small claims to the most severe.

Professional negligence cases:

Several group actions, with subjects as varied as claims for dust on housing estates following local authority repairs to the houses and claims arising from the prescription of LSD within the NHS.

Health and Safety work, having been instructed to act on behalf of international companies in prosecutions brought by the HSE arising out of accidents at work, usually involving fatalities.

Commercial involving contractual disputes

Notable and Reported Cases
  • GOODWIN & GILL v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF LANCASHIRE (1993) PIQR P187: Court of Appeal, re public interest immunity on as class basis for a Police document.
  • TAYLOR v ANDERTON (1995) 1 WLR 447: Court of Appeal, re public interest immunity on a class basis for Police Complaint Reports.
  • PERRY v WONG [1997] 1 WLR 381: Court of Appeal, re County Court Rules Order 17 rule 11 on automatic strike outs.
  • MCNALLY v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MANCHESTER [2002] 2 Cr App Rep 37: Court of Appeal, re identification of informants after the Human Rights Act 1998.
  • R v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF WARWICKSHIRE POLICE ex parte FITZGERALD [1999] 1 WLR 564: Divisional Court, re the scope permitted in drafting search warrants.
  • KEEGAN v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MERSEYSIDE [2003] 1 WLR 2187: Court of Appeal, re the requirements of the tort of malicious procurement of a search warrant.
  • LANGLEY v LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL and THE CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MERSEYSIDE POLICE [2005] 1 WLR 375: Court of Appeal, re Police involvement in Emergency Protection Orders.
  • CONNOR & GARNER v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MERSEYSIDE POLICE [2006] EWCA Civ 1549: Court of Appeal, re detention short of arrest when conducting a search.
  • "N" v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MERSEYSIDE POLICE [2006] EWHC 3041 (QB): High Court, re the extent to which a Chief Constable is vicariously liable for the torts of off duty police officer.
  • ROWLANDS v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MERSEYSIDE [2006] EWCA Civ 1773: Court of Appeal, re the availability of aggravated and exemplary damages in actions involving the Police.
  • JOSHUA SHIELDS v CHIEF CONSTABLE OF MERSEYSIDE POLICE [2010] EWCA Civ 1281: Court of Appeal, grounds for arrest and discretion to arrest under the post 2006 law
  • WHITEHAD V TRUSTEES OF THE CHATSWORTH SETTLEMENT [2012] EWCA [2013] 1 WLR 251; Court of Appeal, application of Reg 12(1) Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 in respect of a shotgun supplied to a gamekeeper.

More About Graham Wells

Appointments and Awards
  • Mediator - 2007
  • Recorder - 2009
Practice Areas
Civil,Mediation,Regulatory
Professional Memberships
Academy of Experts,Northern Circuit Medico-Legal Association,Personal Injury Bar Association,Professional Negligence Bar Association

Recommendations

" His knowledge of police law is remarkable" and " a passionate advocate. "
Legal 500 - 2018

" A passionate advocate. "
Legal 500 - 2017

"He has a formidable intellectual ability and a selfless commitment to client service."
Legal 500 - 2016

"A good advocate who gives no-nonsense advice, even if it's not what the client wants to hear"
Legal 500 - 2016

"His attention to detail and knowledge of police law are phenomenal. He is very eloquent and engaging and has great integrity and an impressive brain. He is thorough in his preparation and builds excellent client relationships.
Chambers UK Bar Guide 2014

"Graham Wells of Oriel Chambers "really knows his stuff: he is always fantastically prepared and brilliant on the technical side of the law".
Chambers and Partners 2010

"Graham Wells of Oriel Chambers is lauded for his “thorough preparation and excellent service.” He handles disciplinary matters and a wide range of public liability claims against the police."
Chambers and Partners 2008, Police Law

"Graham Wells‘ provides excellent service and is very thorough in preparation"
Legal 500, 2008 Edition

"Graham Wells of Oriel Chambers is a sound pick for a technically difficult or document-heavy case. His close attention to detail makes him ideal for these complicated matters."
Chambers and Partners 2007

"...Graham Wells is rated highly for mid-range Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence."
Legal 500, 2007 Edition