Courtney Smith

Solicitor - Solicitor

SRA ID: 635875

I am a Solicitor and Supervisor in the Actions Against Public Authorities Department. I joined the firm in 2015 and specialise in claims against public authorities and inquests. From 2015 to 2022 I was based in our City of London office. In January 2023 I moved to Newcastle to head up a new branch of the team in a new office in Newcastle Upon Tyne. As a member of the Police Action Lawyers Group, my aim is to hold public authorities to account when they abuse their powers, fail to observe their professional obligations, or otherwise act unlawfully. I represent Claimants in both complaints and civil claims against various public bodies, including police forces, the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, HMCTS, local authorities and social services, NHS Trusts and various other government departments and public bodies. I specialise in acting in claims for breaches of the Human Rights Act, historical abuse, misfeasance in public office, negligence, malicious prosecution, personal injury, false imprisonment, assault and battery, harassment, among others. I also advise clients in relation to the mishandling of personal information amounting to a breach of data protection legislation and discrimination. I am also experienced in challenging unlawful or irrational decisions of public bodies through judicial review. I am a member of INQUEST and provide and legal representation for bereaved families in inquests in various settings, including Article 2 inquests and where the death may have taken place in police or prison custody, hospital or other medical settings and in the wider community. When a family member dies and an inquest is opened to investigate that death, I represent the family's interests throughout the proceedings, providing advice and support through what are traumatic and confusing times for the family. Additionally, I have considerable experience in criminal defence matters. My previous criminal practice allowed me to represent those who the State had charged with a criminal offence and to provide robust defence from the initial police interview, throughout the investigation, to the conclusion of the case at either the Magistrates Court or Crown Court, including advice on appeal against conviction and/or sentence. I also have experience in representing individuals in public law matters where my clients included those requiring representation for a range of judicial reviews, asylum claims and appeals in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals. I often work alongside my colleagues in the criminal defence, public law, personal injury and clinical negligence departments where a client’s matter merges into the claims against public authorities and inquests field. I am adept in anticipating possible challenges, making clear legal risk assessments and engaging intellectual and analytical skills to solve client problems in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. I assist a wide variety of clients, many of whom are vulnerable and have experience in dealing with both legally aided and privately funded clients.