Nick Stanage

"Highly cerebral, calm and assured."

Chambers & Partners 2008

"...brings a case to life; his cross examination is exciting, precise and without mercy."

Legal 500 2007 & 2008

"Peers rate him for his skilful presentation in front of a jury."

Chambers and Partners 2007

Practice

Civil actions against the police

Specialises in this broad and complex area of law. Practice covers civil claims against the police, Prison Service and immigration authorities for false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution and misfeasance. He has successfully used the Human Rights Act to challenge operational policing decisions. Further specialisms include judicial review of the IPCC, negligence, and claims under the Race Relations Act, Data Protection Act and Fatal Accidents Act.

Inquests

Extensive experience of coronial law and acts for bereaved families and individuals in Inquests. Inquest practice covers deaths in police, prison and immigration custody as well as deaths arising in a healthcare context, including institutions for the mentally ill. Has published articles on the subject in both Inquest Law and Legal Action Journal.

Immigration and Nationality

Specialises in asylum, immigration, human rights and public law remedies wherever abuse of executive power arises. He has worked with the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. Practice includes civil claims against the Home Office for false imprisonment, misfeasance and death in custody.

Criminal law

Criminal defence with specific interest in civil liberties issues. Particular expertise in cases involving serious public order offences and political protest.

Public law

Interest and experience in a wide cross-section of Human Rights and general public law applications on behalf of Claimants.

Notable cases

LS (Uzbekistan) v SSHD [2008] EWCA Civ 909; [2008] All ER (D) 413 (Jul) judgment

Marc Vallee v Metropolitan Police (2008) (photojournalist wins apology and out-of-court settlement) news story

(1) IA (Syria) (2) SA (Syria) v SSHD (13/11/07) (CA Civ Div) [2007] All ER (D) 211 (Nov) (expert evidence)

Paul v Chief Constable of Humberside Police [2006] EWCA Civ 1433 (out of time appeal by CC Humberside Police not allowed) judgment

Inquest into the death of Rebecca Turner at HMP Low Newton [12/05/2006] (jury returned highly critical narrative verdict) read more

Jason Paul v Chief Constable of Humberside Police [27/1/2006] (civil claim against the police won) read more

Inquest into the death of Wendy Booth at HMP Durham [02/12/2005] (jury returned highly critical verdict ) read more

Recommendations

Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Crime (2008) "Nick Stanage acted for press photographer Marc Vallée to achieve an apology and out-of-court financial settlement from the Metropolitan Police." UK Legal 500 2008 edition more

Leading Junior in Civil Liberties: Northern (2008) "Possessing 'a superb intellect and excellent client care skills,' Nick Stanage is held in high regard. His work is particularly focused on police law, inquests and immigration. Stanage has acted on several claims in the High Court relating to compensation for violations of Article 5 of the ECHR on behalf of unlawfully detained foreign prisoners. " Chambers & Partners 2008 more

Leading Junior in Immigration Law: Northern (2008) "Nick Stanage specialises in complex asylum, immigration, human rights and public law cases, notably those where the abuse of executive power or the unlawful detention of foreign nationals is alleged. He counselled for the claimant in the Court of Appeal on AA v Secretary of State for the Home Department, which looked at the importance to the NHS in Tyneside of a self-employed failed asylum seeker from Afghanistan who worked as an interpreter. In addition, his 'knowledge and expertise of the issues involved in asylum claims from Palestine is excellent.' Instructing solicitors describe a barrister with a compelling manner whose 'communication, enunciation and use of words can easily win people over.' " Chambers & Partners 2008 more

Police Law (National) (2008) "Nick Stanage of Garden Court North offers a deep specialism in this area. 'Highly cerebral, calm and assured,' Stanage has 'the canny knack of communicating in plain English and getting his point across in the most effective manner possible.' He appeared in Jason Paul v Chief Constable of Humberside Police, acting for the claimant who had been wrongly accused by police of assaulting Christopher Alder before Mr Alder was unlawfully killed in police custody." Chambers & Partners 2008 more

Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Crime (2007) "Nick Stanage, who specialises in civil actions against the police, "brings a case to life; his cross examination is exciting, precise and without mercy"; he acted for the defendant in the high-profile Jason Paul v Chief Constable of Humberside Police case." UK Legal 500 2007 edition

Leading Junior in Human Rights : Northern (2007) "A newcomer to this year's rankings, Nick Stanage is a highly rated police law expert. He handled the civil claim against the police in Jason Paul v Chief Constable of Humberside Police. Stanage also specialises in dealing with inquests. He represented the families in the inquest into the death of Wendy Booth at HMP Durham and the inquest into the death of Rebecca Turner at HMP Low Newton." Chambers & Partners 2007 more

Leading Junior in Immigration Law : Northern (2007) "Well versed in immigration and asylum law, Nick Stanage gained plaudits from solicitors for his expertise in Palestinian appeals. He has recently been involved in a case where permission has been given for a Court of Appeal hearing on the question of Home Office policy on asylum seekers from occupied Palestinian territories" Chambers & Partners 2007 more

Leading Junior in Police Law, Mainly Claimant : Northern (2007) "Nick Stanage from Garden Court North Chambers has recently been involved in many topical cases, including those addressing the use of CS gas, the rights of peaceful protesters and, most famously, the malicious prosecution case brought by Jason Paul. Peers rate him for his skilful presentation in front of a jury." Chambers & Partners 2007 more

Leading Junior in Immigration: Northern (2006): "Nick Stanage...recommended for [his] proficiency in this area of law... Stanage's practice also includes an expertise in Palestinian appeals. He is involved in a case where permission has been given for a full Court of Appeal hearing on the perversity of Home Office policy on all asylum-seekers from occupied Palestinian territories." Chambers & Partners 2006.

Leading Junior in Police Law (mainly claimant): Northern (2006): "...recieved feedback this year for his 'dedication to the area as a whole and to the plight of his clients'. He undertakes the full range of civil actions against the police and private security firms including inquests and false imprisonment actions." Chambers & Partners 2006.

Publications

Has written a number of articles for Inquest Law , Journal of the Inquest Lawyers Group.

Other Activities

Provides training seminars nationwide to solicitors, NGOs and environmental groups on public order issues, rights on arrest and actions against the police, police practice and freedom of expression and association.

Has trained solicitors in law and communication skills nationwide.

Professional Associations

Police Actions Lawyers Group

Inquest Lawyers Group

ILPA

Background and Personal profile

Worked at Liberty as civil rights advisor on telephone advice line, advised on CCRC referrals, police surveillance and discriminatory arrests.

Languages

Fluent Spanish and French.