Background

Jonathan Dixey is recognised as a leading junior specialising in police law, inquests, public inquires and public / administrative law.

He has a particular interest and experience in cases touching upon matters of national security. He is ranked in both Chambers UK and The Legal 500 for both Police Law and Inquests and Public Inquiries.

Jonathan’s clients include, amongst others, police forces, public bodies and coroners. Clients commend the way he conducts his cases and greatly value his approach: “Extremely thorough and willing to work as part of a team” (Legal 500).

Recent cases include the Brook House Inquiry, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Dove v HM Assistant Coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool [2023] EWCA Civ 289, R (Officer B50) v HM Assistant Coroner for East Yorkshire and Kingston Upon Hull [2023] EWHC 81 (Admin), the inquest into the death of Yassar Yaqub (police shooting), the inquest into the death of Jalal Uddin (murdered in 2016), the inquest into the death of Lewis Skelton (police shooting), Prior and others v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2023] EWCA Civ 32 and KSO and others v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2023] ICR 34.

Jonathan has previously acted in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Inquests into the London Bombings of 7 July 2005, the Inquests into the deaths arising from the Hillsborough Stadium disaster, the ‘Phone Hacking’ litigation and in the Tunisia Inquests (as Counsel to the Inquests).

Jonathan is a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel (having been on the B Panel (2017 – 2022) and the C Panel (2013 – 2017)).

Jonathan sits (part-time) as an Assistant Coroner for Northamptonshire.

Expertise

Jonathan acts on behalf of constabularies across the country in cases touching upon all aspects of police law.  Recent and current cases include civil actions (including claims for misfeasance, wrongful arrest and false imprisonment, personal injury and employment claims), judicial reviews, inquests and inquiries.

Jonathan has considerable experience in advising chief officers on policy and operational matters providing timely, practical advice often in high-profile, sensitive and complex cases (including Operations Yewtree and Weeting).  He has a particular interest and experience in cases touching upon matters of national security, having acted in cases concerning Closed Material Procedures and appeals to the Security Vetting and Appeals Panel (SVAP).

Featured Police Law cases


R (Officer W80) v Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct [2019] EWHC 2215 (Admin)

instructed on behalf of Officer W80 (an Authorised Firearms Officer) in his successful challenge of the IOPC’s interpretation of the law of self-defence in police misconduct proceedings.


Police Overtime Claims Litigation

representing almost every police force in England and Wales in a series of claims for allowances and payments arising from the decision in Allard v Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Constabulary [2015] EWCA Civ 42.


Re: Special Police Services

advising a police force on the ability to charge for the policing of football matches and other special events.


AR v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis

represented the Commissioner in a claim for wrongful arrest and unlawful detention during the course of Operation Elveden (an investigation into corrupt payments to police officers and others by journalists).


News Group Newspapers Ltd et al v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2015] UKIPTrib 14_176-H and [2016] UKIPTrib 14_176-H

acted on behalf of the respondent in four complaints to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal by the publisher of The Sun Newspaper, its Political Editor (Tom Newton Dunn), Chief Political Correspondent (Craig Woodhouse) and journalist (Anthony France). The complaints arose from the MPS’ ‘Plebgate’ investigation.


RE v National Crime Agency

acting for the NCA in a long-running personal injury claim brought by an Authorised Firearms Officer.


R (Birks) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2015] ICR 204

instructed on behalf of the MPS in a judicial review challenging the suspension of an officer and thereby preventing his retirement.


R (L) v Chief Constable of Kent Police [2014] EWHC 463 (Admin)

judicial review concerning Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates.


Various Claimants v. News Group Newspapers Ltd. and Others [2013] EWHC 2119 (Ch); [2014] 2 WLR 756

instructed on behalf of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in relation to various aspects of the MPS’ investigations into ‘phone hacking’ including the civil claims brought by hundreds of individuals against the publishers of the News of the World, The Sun and the Sunday Mirror newspapers.

Jonathan has a busy public and administrative law practice in which he acts on behalf of public authorities in cases in the High Court and County Court.  He has a particular interest and experience in cases touching upon matters of national security, having acted in cases concerning Closed Material Procedures and appeals to the Security Vetting and Appeals Panel (SVAP).

Featured Public & Administrative cases


R (Officer W80) v Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct [2019] EWHC 2215 (Admin)

instructed on behalf of Officer W80 (an Authorised Firearms Officer) in his successful challenge of the IOPC’s interpretation of the law of self-defence in police misconduct proceedings.


TPKN v Ministry of Defence [2019] EWHC 1488 (QB)

appeared on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in a case concerning the extent of vicarious liability.


P v (1) Parole Board; (2) Ministry of Justice

instructed on behalf of the Parole Board in a claim alleging breaches of article 5 of the ECHR and the Equality Act 2010.


Dr Zakir Abdul-Karim Naik v Charity Commission for England and Wales

instructed on behalf of the Charity Commission in an ongoing appeal concerning the interpretation of s.181A of the Charities Act 2011 (the power to disqualify a charity trustee).


R (Heinonen & Sawko) v. Coroner for Inner South District, Greater London [2017] EWHC 1803 (Admin)

acted on behalf of the Coroner in a judicial review of a decision not to order further investigations into a death.


R (Birks) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2015] ICR 204

instructed on behalf of the MPS in a judicial review challenging the suspension of an officer and thereby preventing his retirement.


London Borough of Southwark v Persons Unknown

instructed on behalf of the London Borough of Southwark Borough in various applications for possession orders.


R (L) v Chief Constable of Kent Police [2014] EWHC 463 (Admin)

judicial review concerning Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates.

Jonathan is regularly instructed on behalf of public bodies, organisations and bereaved families in inquests. In 2020 he was appointed to the part-time position of Assistant Coroner for Northamptonshire. He also acts on behalf of coroners. He is an Associate member of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (FFLM).

He represented the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in the Inquests into the London Bombings of 7 July 2005, the St John Ambulance in the Inquests into the deaths arising from the Hillsborough Stadium disaster and the coroner in the Tunisia Inquests.

Jonathan regularly appears on behalf of the Ministry of Justice in contentious article 2 inquests arising from deaths in custody.

Featured Inquests cases


Inquest touching the death of Keith Abbott

instructed on behalf of HM Senior Coroner for Cumbria as Counsel to the Inquest in a two-week inquest before a jury. Mr Abbott died following a serious sexual assault whilst detained at HMP Haverigg.


Inquest touching the death of Osvaldas Pagirys

three-week Article 2 inquest concerning the self-inflicted death of a prisoner at HMP Wandsworth. Instructed on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.


Inquest touching the death of Lewis Skelton

acting on behalf of the Chief Constable of Humberside in an inquest following a police shooting.


The Tunisia Inquests

instructed on behalf of the Coroner, HHJ Nicholas Loraine-Smith as Counsel to the Inquests in the inquests concerning the deaths of 30 British nationals who were killed in an attack in Sousse, Tunisia on 26th June 2015 (led by Samantha Leek QC).


R (Heinonen & Sawko) v Coroner for Inner South District, Greater London [2017] EWHC 1803 (Admin)

acted on behalf of the Coroner in a judicial review of a decision not to order further investigations into a death.


Inquest touching the death of Jonathan Zucker

instructed on behalf of the family of Mr Zucker, the well-known author.


Inquest touching the death of Daniel Dunkley

acted on behalf of the Ministry of Justice in one of a number of inquests concerning deaths at HMP Woodhill.


Inquests into the deaths arising from the Hillsborough Stadium disaster

instructed on behalf of the St John Ambulance (led by Anne Studd QC).


Inquest into the death of Dr Abbas Khan

instructed as junior counsel to HM Chief Coroner (led by Samantha Leek QC) in the inquest arising from the death of a British doctor detained in Syria.

Jonathan has a growing practice in public inquiries, instructed by a range of organisations.  He is currently instructed in three public inquiries.

Featured Public Inquiries cases


The Grenfell Tower Inquiry

acting on behalf of the Home Office (with Rob Harland, led by Cathryn McGahey QC) in the public inquiry arising from the Grenfell Tower fire.


The Brook House Inquiry

instructed on behalf of the Independent Monitoring Board (unled).


Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA)

instructed on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service. The MPS is a core participant in six of the Inquiry’s investigations: (i) Children in the care of Lambeth Council; (ii) Accountability and Reparations; (iii) the Roman Catholic Church; (iv) Westminster; (v) the Internet; and (vi) Children in Custodial Institutions.


The Anthony Grainger Inquiry

instructed on behalf of the National Crime Agency in the public inquiry (formerly an inquest) concerning the death of Anthony Grainger who was shot and killed by an armed Greater Manchester Police officer in Culcheth, Cheshire on 3rd March 2012.

Jonathan has considerable experience acting for claimants and respondents in complex and high-value disputes, in particular involving claims of disability and race discrimination. He appears in employment tribunals, county courts and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Before joining the Bar, Jonathan advised at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau offering a particular focus on employment disputes.

Featured Employment cases


MC v Ministry of Defence

disability discrimination and victimisation.


TA v Home Office

disability discrimination, victimisation and personal injury.


SB v Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency

disability discrimination, unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal.


VP v Home Office

race discrimination.

Jonathan has extensive experience advising upon a broad range of personal injury matters including employers’ and occupiers’ liability, slipping and tripping, manual handling and RTA claims. He regularly appears in the High Court and county court on such matters acting for both claimants and defendants. He has particular experience in claims involving complex disclosure issues, especially pre-action third party disclosure applications (Norwich Pharmacal disclosure), having appeared in such cases on behalf of numerous police forces, government departments and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Featured Personal Injury cases


TPKN v Ministry of Defence [2019] EWHC 1488 (QB)

appeared on behalf of the Ministry of Defence in a case concerning the extent of vicarious liability.


R v Ministry of Justice

acting in a claim valued in excess of £250,000 by prison Governor arising from an assault at work.


C v Ministry of Defence

acting in a clinical negligence claim arising from injuries sustained during pre- deployment training and subsequent medical treatment.

Jonathan is regularly instructed at all stages of discipline matters involving the police from the initial stages of advising the appropriate authority and drafting allegations, to appearing at misconduct and performance hearings themselves and in appeals before the Police Appeals Tribunal

He has considerable experience of acting for Home Office police forces and the Ministry of Defence Police and has lectured widely on the relevant governing regulations.

Much of Jonathan’s practice concerns the management and handling of information – including sensitive information. He regularly advises a wide range of clients on information law and data protection matters with a particular focus on the GDPR, the Data Protection Acts, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

Recent cases in the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals include challenges under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to the decisions of government departments and the Information Commissioner.

Jonathan has appeared in numerous inquests for a range of interested persons in which the central issues have included the appropriateness of clinical treatment, the prescription and administration of medication and the timeliness and effectiveness of resuscitation attempts.  These inquests have arisen principally in the context of custodial institutions (prisons and young offender institutions) but also include private care homes and psychiatric hospitals.

Within the past 12 months, Jonathan has appeared in inquests and has advised in respect of criminal investigations, NMC investigations and civil proceedings in three cases in which residents in care homes have died.  The central issues in all three cases concern the appropriateness of clinical, pharmacological and palliative care.  Jonathan is regularly instructed in personal injury cases in which complex medical issues arise.  He is currently acting for the Ministry of Defence in a high-value claim in which it is alleged that the patient was not provided with sufficient Montgomery options.  Jonathan has extensive experience questioning and advising upon the expert evidence of pathologists, psychiatrists and clinicians.

Jonathan’s areas of expertise in Court of Protection include:

  • Capacity
  • Deprivation of liberty
  • Best interests decisions
  • Deputyship matters
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney
  • Medical treatment
  • Welfare matters including contact, residence and care decisions
  • Forced marriage
  • Safeguarding of vulnerable adults

Latest News & Events

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The latest highlights from our Data Protection and Information Law experts are now available. The…

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5 Essex Chambers is delighted to announce that HM The King has appointed Jonathan Dixey…

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Disclosure to the public inquiry

Disclosure – by which we generally mean disclosure and inspection – is…

Jalal Uddin Public Inquiry

Today sees the first day of the Open Hearings in the Jalal…

“An excellent trial advocate...He has a good manner and deals with challenging issues very well”


Instructing Jonathan
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Call +44 (0)20 7410 2000 or click here to email

Education & Qualifications

  • 2007 – Called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn
  • 2007 – BPP Bar Vocational Course, (Outstanding)
  • 2005 – University of Bristol LL.M. (Public Law), (Distinction)
  • 2004 – University of Southampton LL.B. (Hons), (First Class)

Memberships

  • ALBA
  • Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine (Associate)
  • ELA
  • South Eastern Circuit

Appointments

  • 2022 – Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel (previously on the B Panel 2017 – 2022 and C Panel 2013 – 2017)
  • 2020 – Assistant Coroner for Northamptonshire

Awards

  • Sunley Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)
  • Buchanan Prize (Lincoln’s Inn)
  • Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn)

  

Chambers UK 2025

Inquests and Public Inquiries:

“Jonathan has absolutely impeccable judgement. He is completely trustworthy in the way he approaches things. He is very considered and tactful.”

Police Law:

“Jonathan Dixey is able to deal comfortably with complex and sensitive cases. He combines a sharp legal mind with an ability to work incredibly well with client teams.”

“People go to Jonathan as a calm ear, where otherwise it may be quite chaotic. He is taken very seriously by judges since he is calm and authoritative, and they will give weight to what he’s saying.”

The Legal 500 2025

Inquests and Inquiries:

‘Calm and commands the respect of the court.’

Police Law:

‘Jonathan is skilled at being able to dissect and analyse complex areas of law, assess litigation risk and provide pragmatic and helpful advice to clients. He works well under pressure and is unflappable.’

The Legal 500 2024

“Jonathan is a confident advocate who garners the respect of his peers and the Court with his persuasive advocacy style.”

Chambers UK 2024

“Jonathan’s skill in dealing with complex inquest and public inquiry work is highly impressive. He is incredibly thorough and well prepared and is also great to work with as a member of the legal team.” (Police Law)

Chambers UK 2024

“He was exceptionally good, very personable and confident in his approach.” (Inquests and Public Inquiries)

Chambers UK 2023

“He is willing to be collaborative and is polished and confident; he holds the trust of the court.”

Legal 500 2023

‘He is unfailingly calm in his presentation and advocacy.’

Chambers UK 2022

“He is an exceptional barrister whose client care is second to none.” (Police Law)

“His leading silks are able to rely on his intellectual capability.” (Police Law)

“I’ve always found him well prepared. He excels in representing clients with tricky positions and is courteous as an opponent.” (Inquests & Public Inquiries)

“He’s very hard-working and a good team player.” (Inquests & Public Inquiries)

Legal 500 2022

“Jonathan is an excellent barrister. He is unerringly polite and his courteous manner in court is particularly effective when having to put unattractive evidential points either directly to a witness or in submissions. He is always well-prepared and has an excellent grasp of the law – I highly commend him.” (Inquest and Inquiries)

“An extremely sharp and intelligent barrister with a good mind for strategy and tactics.” (Police Law – Defendant)

Chambers UK 2021

“He frequently goes the extra mile and offers clear and practical advice. He takes charge of difficult issues and looks ahead.” (Police Law)

“Incredibly thorough, very measured, amazing as a junior and knows inquest law inside out.” (Inquests and Inquiries)

Legal 500 2021

“Excellent client skills and great on his feet.”

“He has an impressive intellect.”

Chambers UK 2020

“He’s hard-working, bright and acts completely appropriately in terms of asking questions that best protect his client.” (Inquests and Public Inquiries)

A strong advocate both in court and in his drafting skills. He is quickly developing his specialism in police overtime claims. He is helpful and quick to respond to issues at all times.” “Has a very intellectual and academic style and is a pleasure to work with.” (Police Law)

Legal 500 2020

“He is quick on his feet and puts witnesses at ease.” (Police Law)

Chambers UK 2019

“He is able to articulate tricky advice clearly to clients. He is authoritative and knows what he is talking about.” (Police Law)

Legal 500 2019

‘Instructed by forces on high-profile issues.’ (Police Law – Defendant)

Chambers UK 2018

“He has a very good manner with both corporate and lay clients.” (Police Law)

Legal 500 2017

“Extremely thorough and willing to work as part of a team” (Police Law – Defendant)

Chambers UK 2017

“He has a good manner and deals with challenging issues very well.” (Police Law)

Chambers UK 2016

“He is very hard-working.” (Police Law)

Chambers UK 2015

“An excellent trial advocate with comprehensive knowledge of police law and experience of handling inquiries, inquests and employment law matters.” (Police Law)

“His personal injury expertise is particularly useful in negligence and assault claims against the police.” (Police Law)

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