Michael specialises in inquests and inquiries, judicial review and police discipline.
Michael is passionate about coronial law and practice. He represents families and other interested persons in a wide range of complex and high-profile inquests involving, among others, the police, prisons, the probation service and healthcare providers. He combines a calm and sensitive manner with a tenacious, forensic approach that has proven highly effective before juries and coroners sitting alone.
Michael believes that wherever possible families should be represented at contentious inquests, particularly those involving state agencies. Aware that funding is often dependent upon a ruling that article 2 is engaged, he is happy to represent families on a pro-bono basis prior to the coroner’s ruling on that issue, in appropriate cases.
For example, Michael acted at an inquest for the family of a young man with paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger’s syndrome, who tragically took his own life while on informal leave from hospital. The case raised complex arguments around the state’s operational and systemic duties under article 2 of the ECHR. Acting initially on a pro-bono basis, Michael successfully argued that article 2 was engaged, thus enabling the family to secure Legal Aid for representation at the final hearing. His cross examination of the Healthcare Trust’s witnesses exposed issues with the Trust’s policies and processes for monitoring and assessing patients following a significant event and a deterioration in their mental health. He also exposed issues with staff training and their understanding of the Trust’s missing person’s policy.
Michael acts for claimants and public authorities in claims for judicial review. As a former practising solicitor, he has substantial experience of litigating such cases and has received judicial praise for his advocacy in the Administrative Court. He has expertise in police, regulatory related matters and prison matters. He masters the detail of each case and prepares meticulously, without losing sight of broader issues.
Michael was appointed to the Attorney General’s Regional C Panel in 2021 and has represented government departments at inquests and in claims for judicial review.
A former senior lawyer at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Michael has particular expertise in police related matters. He has represented the IOPC at police discipline hearings, inquests and judicial reviews.
Notable cases:
- Inquest touching on the death of CG. Michael represented the father of the deceased, who was murdered along with three others. The coroner found a litany of “very stark failings” by the Probation Service in their supervision of the perpetrator and issued a robust prevention of future deaths report.
- Inquest touching on the death of JP. Michael represented the family of the 16-month-old deceased who died after invasive group a streptococcus was misdiagnosed as chicken pox. The jury returned a highly critical narrative conclusion and found neglect. The coroner also issued a robust Prevention of Future Deaths Report, leading to important changes within the Trust, including the appointment of their first Sepsis Nurse.
- Inquest touching on the death of YY. Michael solely represented the IOPC at the 8-week judge-led inquest concerning a fatal shooting by police. Four of the other 6 interested persons were represented by leading and junior counsel.
- Inquest touching on the death of KHB. Michael represented the IOPC at a 4-week inquest concerning a self-inflicted death in police custody.
- Inquest touching on the death of MP. Michael represented the family in this article 2 inquest involving the death of the deceased prisoner due to drug toxicity.
- Inquest touching the death of KH. Article 2 inquest involving a death of a female prisoner due to drug toxicity. Michael represented the prison.
- Inquest touching on the death of LW. Self-inflicted death of a voluntary psychiatric patient on informal leave. Michael successfully argued article 2 was engaged and exposed issues with Trust policy and staff training and understanding
Contact Michael’s clerks
Madeleine Gray on 0113 202 8603