Christian is an incredibly articulate, bright and committed advocate. Throughout his work he has been clear thinking, hard working and has demonstrated a sound knowledge of the law and procedure.

Overview

Christian Weaver specialises in Actions against the State, Inquests, Public Inquiries and Parole Board work. A short summary of his work in these areas can be found below. Further detail can be found in the subheadings to the left-hand side (if viewing this page on a desktop), or by scrolling downwards (if viewing on a mobile or tablet device).

Christian was the winner of the Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year Award 2023 at the Legal Aid Practitioners Group Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2023.

Note: Christian is the barrister to the family of Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy who died following prolonged exposure to mould in his home. Please direct any enquiries relating to this case to gcnchambers@gcnchambers.co.uk or to his instructing solicitors who can be contacted on info@farleys.com.

Actions against the State (including judicial review)

Christian regularly advises and represents individuals taking action against state bodies – including the police and prison service. He is ranked as a Tier 1 Rising star by The Legal 500 for Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights).

Inquests

Christian is regularly instructed in factually complex inquests – particularly where the individual has died within the care of the state. A number of the cases he has acted in have appeared in mainstream media due to their wider significance. Christian is ranked as a Tier 1 Rising star by The Legal 500 and as Up and Coming by Chambers and Partners for Inquests and inquiries.

Public Inquiries

Christian is currently instructed in the Covid-19 inquiry, working as part of a team representing individuals impacted by the Covid-19 vaccine. He was also instructed in relation to the Manchester Arena inquiry.   

Parole Board

Christian is regularly instructed to represent those convicted of the most serious offences at Parole Board hearings – including those on life and IPP sentences. 

Alongside these specialisms, Christian is expanding his practice into mediation.

Information on Christian's best-selling legal education book, ‘The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights’ can be found within the ‘The Law in 60 Seconds’ subheading to the left-hand side of this page (if viewing on a desktop), or by scrolling downwards (if viewing on a mobile or tablet device).

Civil actions against the police & public authorities

Christian is ranked as a Tier 1 Rising star by The Legal 500 for Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights). He regularly advises and represents individuals taking action against state bodies – including the police and prison service. Having previously worked in casework roles at INQUEST and Liberty, Christian has a particular insight in to the mental, psychological and emotional harm that an individual can face following a negative interaction with the state. He is able to bring this awareness into his client interactions. Christian regularly facilitates and speaks at public meetings on the topic of state powers. He recently worked with Cambridge University’s Law Faculty to deliver an explainer video on judicial review which is linked here. 

Public law

Christian is ranked as a Tier 1 Rising star by The Legal 500 for Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights). He regularly advises and represents individuals taking action against state bodies – including the police and prison service. Having previously worked in casework roles at INQUEST and Liberty, Christian has a particular insight in to the mental, psychological and emotional harm that an individual can face following a negative interaction with the state. He is able to bring this awareness into his client interactions. Christian regularly facilitates and speaks at public meetings on the topic of state powers. He recently worked with Cambridge University’s Law Faculty to deliver an explainer video on judicial review which is linked here. 

Inquests & public inquiries

Inquests

Christian is ranked as a Tier 1 Rising star by The Legal 500 for Inquests and inquiries, and ranked as Up and Coming in Chambers and Partners

Christian is regularly instructed in factually complex inquests – particularly where the individual has died within the care of the state. A number of the cases he has acted in have appeared in mainstream media due to their wider significance.  

Christian previously worked in the casework team for the charity INQUEST. He is therefore acutely aware of the anguish loved ones feel when faced with an inquest and is able to bring this awareness into his interactions with his clients.

Notable cases

Public Inquiries

Christian is currently instructed in the Covid-19 inquiry, working as part of a team representing individuals impacted by the Covid-19 vaccine. He was also instructed in relation to the Manchester Arena inquiry.

The complex nature of both of these enquiries has honed his ability to consider, manage and be sensitive to the interests of diverse ranges of groups; all with differing interests.

Prison law

Christian is regularly instructed to represent some of the country’s most high-profile offenders, including those on life and IPP sentences. He also regularly advises and represents prisoners who have been refused oral hearings by the Secretary of State for Justice.

The Legal 500 comment that Christian’s parole board practice “…has really taken off and is very impressive for someone of his call.”

Family law

Christian has a fast-growing family law practice. He has represented individuals in multi-day hearings and obtained successful outcomes. His personable approach helps put clients at ease.

Community care & mental health

Christian regularly appears before the Mental Health Tribunal. His personable approach aids him in building a rapport with his clients and putting them at ease. He has a strong understanding of the inner workings of mental health units; frequently perusing documentation on this very matter as part of his inquest work. Christian is skilled at explaining the complicated legislation pertaining to sectioning under the Mental Health Act in an easily understandable manner; having written at length on this topic in his book ‘The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights’. 

Memberships

Privacy Notice

Christian’s Privacy Notice may be viewed by clicking here 

Publications

The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights (published by Profile Books).

The Law in 60 Seconds

Christian is the founder of the legal project ‘The Law in 60 Seconds’ and author of ‘The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights’. 

In 2022, The Law in 60 Seconds co-hosted the UK’s first-ever public legal education conference with The Defendant and the University of Manchester. More information about this can be found here. 

More information on Christian’s book can be found here. 

Recommendations

Christian’s approach is measured and thoughtful, and he combines professionalism with great warmth and kindness. He makes strong and clear oral submissions and arguments which are delivered politely and sensitively, allowing him to get the point across well.The Legal 500, 2024
Christian is a delight to work with; all written representations are succinct and to the point and advocacy is clear. It is reassuring to know you can always pick up the phone to discuss matters with him and he is never afraid to take on and develop wider points in challenging areas.The Legal 500, 2024
Christian is an incredibly articulate, bright and committed advocate. Throughout his work he has been clear thinking, hard working and has demonstrated a sound knowledge of the law and procedure. He puts clients at ease and tribunals respect his practical and efficient oral advocacy. He is always well prepared and a good strategic thinker. His parole board practice has really taken off and is very impressive for someone of his call.The Legal 500, 2023

 

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