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Find out more about our barristers and business support teams here.
Amy Clarke is recognised as a leading junior in all of her principal practice areas by Chambers UK: police law, inquests and inquiries and professional discipline.
This year’s Legal 500 recognises Amy as having, “Forensic attention to detail and compelling advocacy… her grasp of the facts, evidence and issues is absolutely outstanding.‘ The latest edition of Chambers UK says, “she is really measured and sensible; very comfortable with big cases… Amy is an outstanding advocate. She displays sensitivity and tact during difficult matters, whilst providing robust advice to the client and in court where necessary. She is a pleasure to work with.”
Amy is instructed in Module 3 of the Covid Inquiry on behalf of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and two other professional bodies. She has also been instructed on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry since 2017.
Amy represents police forces across the country in misconduct proceedings and in the PAT, and has particular expertise in cases involving sexual impropriety and abuse of position.
Before joining 5 Essex Court, Amy worked as a parliamentary researcher focussing on Home Affairs and Justice and was responsible for drafting restorative justice policy.
The successful defence of a judicial review relating to retention of acquittal information on PNC following and other intelligence on local Force systems. Amy represented the Chief Constable in both the judicial review and the subsequent appeal in the Court of Appeal.
Judicial Review of the investigative decisions taken about the circumstances of the police interaction with Mr. Omishore, who jumped from Chelsea Bridge into the Thames after being tasered. Amy acted for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as an Interested Party
forthcoming Judicial Review about the investigation into contact between firearms officers and Mr. Dunne, resulting him sustaining life changing injuries. Amy is instructed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
three consecutive false imprisonment trials heard with a jury. Amy was successful on each and secured orders for costs.
Mr Yahya was fatally shot by police in March 2020. Amy is instructed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
this forthcoming inquest will examine the use of an Emergency Response Belt around the face in the course of a restraint. Amy in instructed on behalf of the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, and is also advising on related civil proceedings.
this twelve week inquest examined every aspect of the police response Gaia’s disappearance, and the subsequent efforts to locate her. Amy was instructed on behalf of the Chief Constable of Dorset Police.
this was one of the first inquests to examine the role of gambling in an individual’s death, and the provision of professional support for gambling addiction. Amy was instructed on behalf of the charity GamCare.
Amy acts in high profile litigation involving the police and has expertise in a wide range of police law issues. She is recommended by Chambers UK for Police Law (Band 3).
Amy advises and represents police forces in a range of areas including firearms licensing, retention of seized property, Human Rights Act claims, including claims alleging breach of Article 2 ECHR, Article 3 ECHR claims alleging a failure to investigate, trafficking/modern slavery cases, claims under Article 5 ECHR for unlawful detention, false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, misfeasance, negligence claims, stop and search, public order, assorted police powers under PACE 1984, data and information retention/disclosure misuse of private information, and Article 8 ECHR.
Amy’s recent advisory work has included the following:
R (YZ) v Chief Constable of South Wales Police [2021] EWHC 1060 (Admin)
judicial review challenge to the retention of acquittal information held on the PNC
R (AV) v Chief Constable of South Wales Police
judicial review challenge to a caution administered to a teacher for assaulting a student
Kawa v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
judicial review challenge to a caution for assault
The civil litigation arising from Operation Midland
defence and settlement of claims brought against the Metropolitan Police by a number of public figures, arising from Operation Midland and Operation Yewtree, led by Anne Studd QC
Green v British Transport Police
defence of a claim for false imprisonment and misfeasance
Hotchkiss v Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police
defence of a claim for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution
Chisadza v Commissioner of Police of Metropolis
defence of a claim for discrimination on the grounds of race, negligence and malicious prosecution following on from the seizure of the Claimant’s car during a routine traffic stop
EFG v (1) Chief Constable of Sussex Police (2) Sussex County Council
defence of a claim for breach of Articles 3 and 8 of the Human Rights Act and of the GDPR arising from the disclosure of information by the police to the local authority for the purpose of child protection proceedings.
O’Cathail v (1) Chief Constable of Sussex Police (2) Crown Prosecution Service
defence of a claim for false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and personal injury
Dunn v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
defence of a claim for false imprisonment and assault brought by a blind member of the public who was detained and arrested after a violent confrontation with police officers
Amy has particular expertise in inquest law and is recommended by Chambers UK for Inquests and Public Inquiries (Band 3).
She regularly appears on behalf of the police, local authorities, NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers and charities. Amy is regularly instructed on jury inquests and cases engaging Article 2 of the ECHR. She has a particular experience in inquests involving deaths in custody, death following restraint, missing person investigations, complex mental health issues and multi-agency care and treatment.
Amy also has extensive experience acting in inquests involving healthcare and alleged clinical negligence. She has acted for NHS Trusts, local authorities and private healthcare providers in inquests involving post-surgical care, absconsion from hospital whilst detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, neonatal death, risk assessment of patients and geriatric care, among others. Amy undertook a secondment in the inquest team at a leading firm of solicitors in 2016, which has given her invaluable insight into the specific needs of NHS clients.
Amy is junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and has been instructed since 2017. She also acted as junior counsel for British Transport Police at the Inquests following the London Bridge and Borough Market terrorist attack.
Inquest into the death of Jason Lennon
acting for the Metropolitan Police; Mr. Lennon died after being restrained during an episode of acute behavioural disturbance.
Inquest into the death of Gaia Pope
acting as junior counsel for Dorset Police (led by Beatrice Collier). The inquest will examine evidence relating to complex mental health needs, the treatment of epilepsy and the efficacy of a missing person investigation.
Inquest into the death of Jack Ritchie
acting for Gamcare UK. The inquest will examine whether gambling caused or contributed to Mr. Ritchie’s death.
Inquest into the death of John Cooney
acted for Transport for London; Mr. Cooney died after falling and sustaining a serious head injury whilst attempting to board a train.
Inquest into the death of Melissa van der Klugt
acted for Ms. Van der Klugt’s family; Ms. Van der Klugt died after being struck by a motorcycle whilst crossing the road. A conclusion of unlawful killing was secured, which is highly unusual in cases involving dangerous driving.
Inquest into the death of Shane Gilmer
acted for Humberside Police; Mr. Gilmer died after being shot with a crossbow.
Inquest into the death of Natasha Crabb
acted for Surrey Police; Ms. Crabb died after consuming butane gas, and had had frequent contact with the police and other agencies in the weeks and years leading to her death.
Inquest into the death of James Lockett
acted for North Wales Police; the inquest examined the complex nature of management of medication prescribed to treat schizophrenia and treatment for the condition, as well as the training relied upon when dealing with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and decisions to arrest and detain such individuals.
Inquest into the death of Edna O’Connor
acted for BMI Healthcare; Ms. O’Connor died following complications from gallbladder surgery.
Inquest into the death of Sebastian Hibberd
acted for NHS Digital; this case involved the death of a six year old child, caused by bowel intussusception and a fatal delay in access to medical treatment. The inquest examined the clinical basis upon which algorithms are generated for use by the NHS 111 service, for which NHS Digital is responsible, and also addressed the operation of the NHS 111 service itself, the adequacy of training of call handlers and the adequacy of local GP services.
Inquest into the death of Susan Stansbie
acted for the Mental Health Trust responsible for the care of Ms. Stansbie, who suffered catastrophic injuries sustained as a result of being struck by a train shortly after her release from hospital.
Amy is junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and has been instructed since 2017.
Amy’s extensive public law and inquest experience make her well-suited to advise and represent clients involved in public inquiries.
Amy has a wide-ranging practice acting on behalf of the Appropriate Authority in proceedings brought under the Police (Conduct) Regulations and Police Appeals Tribunals Rules. She has been involved in a number of high profile cases throughout her career, including the misconduct proceedings arising from the policing of the student loan protests in 2012 and the murder of Bijan Ibrahimi in 2013. In recent years, Amy has developed a particular specialism in sexual misconduct matters.
PS H (Wiltshire Police)
allegations that a male officer had pursued an improper relationship with a junior, female colleague and had engaged in unwanted sexual touching of her.
PC W (North Wales Police)
allegation that a male officer pursued a sexual relationship with a vulnerable victim of crime
PC P (MPS)
allegation that an adverse judicial finding could, in and of itself, amount to a conduct matter
PS M (Staffordshire Police)
allegations abuse of position for sexual gain and dereliction of duty for the purpose of pursuing sexual relationships with junior colleagues, both on and off duty.
PC G (North Wales Police)
allegations of abuse of position for sexual gain by a female officer responsible for the management of the welfare of a vulnerable male, who was the victim of sexual abuse
Inspector L and PS P (Sussex Police)
allegations of dereliction of duty for the purpose of engaging in a sexual relationship and abuse of position for sexual gain
PC T (West Midlands Police)
allegations of discreditable conduct in relation to conduct towards a vulnerable member of the public, and the posting of degrading images on Snapchat
PC BSD (MPS)
allegations of use of excessive force, resulting is dismissal and protracted proceedings in the PAT which ultimately upheld the original decision to dismiss
Amy undertakes a range of public law work, with particular specialisms in civil liberties, human rights and policing and criminal justice.
R (YZ) v Chief Constable of South Wales Police [2021] EWHC 1060 (Admin)
judicial review challenge to the retention of acquittal information held on the PNC
R (AV) v Chief Constable of South Wales Police
judicial review challenge to a caution administered to a teacher for assaulting a student
Kawa v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
judicial review challenge to a caution for assault
Amy acts for a range of clients including police forces, local authorities, NHS Trusts and private healthcare providers. Amy undertook a secondment in the clinical inquest team at a leading firm of solicitors in 2016, which has given her invaluable insight into the specific needs of healthcare clients. Amy regularly advises on Serious Incident and Root Cause Analysis reports, as well as providing representation at inquests.
Amy has recently been instructed on cases involving the following:
In her inquest practice she specialises, in particular, in cases with a mental health or capacity dimension.
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Instructing Amy
Please contact Dan Waple if you have any questions or wish to instruct us.
‘Amy is an extremely thorough advocate. Her grasp of the facts, evidence and issues is absolutely outstanding.’ (Inquests and Public Inquiries)
‘Forensic attention to detail and compelling advocacy.’ (Police Law)
“Amy is an outstanding advocate. She displays sensitivity and tact during difficult matters, whilst providing robust advice to the client and in court where necessary. She is a pleasure to work with.” (Police Law)
“Amy is practical and calm.” (Inquests and Public Inquiries)
“She is really measured and sensible; very comfortable with big cases.” (Inquests and Public Inquiries)
“Amy is making a positive name for herself due to her effective witness cross-examination.” (Professional Discipline)
“She’s able to digest complicated matters and formulate them into straightforward written pleadings and advices. Amy gets excellent results in court and I have no hesitation in recommending her.” (Professional Discipline)
“She is massively empathetic to the bereaved and understands the issues that witnesses are facing while still representing her clients’ interests.”
‘She has enormous emotional intelligence, as well as excellent on paper and as an advocate. Unhesitatingly recommended for inquest work.’
“She is all over both the facts and the law. She provides highly attractive advocacy and really knows how to pitch things in the right way to a tribunal.” (Police Law)
“Her submissions were really clear and sensible and she won the respect of the coroner.” (Inquests and Inquiries)
“She is very persuasive in her advocacy.” (Police Law)
“A junior who stands out, partly for being very good with clients and sensitive to their needs.” (Police Law)
“A rising star known for handling claims brought under the Human Rights Act concerning the police’s failure to investigate, in addition to claims of false imprisonment and misfeasance.”
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