Background
Mr Matthew McConville, Head of Irvings Law’s specialist Actions Against the Police, has successfully represented a client in a claim for compensation against Hampshire Constabulary. Due to confidentiality, the client will be referred to as Mrs L.
In 2017, Mrs L collected her son from nursery and whilst bathing that evening, bruising was noticed. Concerned that the bruising may have been sustained at nursery and that the matter had not been brought to their attention, Mrs L took photographs of the bruising and emailed the nursery requesting an explanation before then seeking medical attention too. After this, Mrs L was contacted by the nursery whom denied any injuries were caused whilst her child was in their care and as common practice for unexplained bruising, Social Services and the Police were notified. Mrs L cooperated with all requests from Social Services and the Police where no concerns were raised as to her causing the said bruising. Then, a few days later, a new Officer investigating the case for reasons unbeknown, suspected Mrs L did so and as such, she was the arrested at the hospital after an appointment she was requested to attend with her child to get to the bottom of what happened. In interview, Mrs L gave the same account as before but was released on bail pending further investigation with such conditions that she have supervised contact of her child until a decision on charging had been reached. After many months, Mrs L was finally given no further action and was allowed to be with her child unsupervised once more.
Representation
After this, Mrs L approached specialist Actions Against the Police Solicitors, Irvings Law, for assistance on issuing Court proceedings as the Police were refusing to admit any wrongdoing. Mr McConville immediately acknowledged that what happened was completely wrong and without hesitation, offered to act for Mrs L by way of “no win, no fee”.
Resolution
After issuing and serving proceedings, Hampshire Constabulary did not wish to settle Mrs L’s claim until shortly before Trial and an agreement was reached not long after such discussions took place in the total sum of £50,000.00 including the payment of her legal costs.