Beatrice Collier successfully represented the Commissioner in negligence claim against the Metropolitan Police

HHJ Baucher dismissed a claim against the Metropolitan Police brought by a man who suffered a serious spine injury following his arrest and detention on suspicion of a domestic assault. The agreed medical evidence was the journey to custody in a police car had caused the spine injury — a disc prolapse which necessitated urgent lumbar decompression surgery. However, HHJ Baucher held that the actions of the police officers in arresting him and taking him to Harrow Police Station, where the specialist domestic abuse team was located, rather than allowing him to go by foot to the nearby Colindale Police Station were not negligent. She held that the officers had acted reasonably and appropriately and, contrary to the Claimant’s case, had treated him with dignity and respect. Beatrice Collier represented the Commissioner.