Select an area of expertise to find out more about our experience.
Find out more about our barristers and business support teams here.
Select an area of expertise to find out more about our experience.
Find out more about our barristers and business support teams here.
Olivia Checa-Dover is a leading police law and inquest specialist.
She also sits as a Recorder, Deputy District Judge and Legally Qualified Chair of Police Misconduct Proceedings.
Clients report ‘her ability to turn around instructions under the most relentless pressure is unmatched’ (Legal 500 2021); she is ‘extremely bright, with a persuasive advocacy style’ (Legal 500 2019).
Notable cases include the Undercover Policing Inquiry, inquests into the death of Yassar Yaqub and Andrew Hall and R (on the application of the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police) v Police Misconduct Panel [2020] EWHC 1400 (Admin).
Olivia provides regular training to police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners across the country.
Olivia represents Chief Constables around the country in the full range of civil claims, with a particular specialism in judicial review and claims touching upon the Human Rights Act.
Olivia acts frequently as leading junior, as was the case in Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police v Rashid [2020] EWHC 2522 (QB); or as sole counsel against leader and junior, for example R. (on the application of Wilby-Newton) v PAT and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [2021] EWHC 550 (Admin). She has appeared in cases which have helped shape or clarify the law in her practice areas, including R. (Chief Constable of the West Midlands) v Panel Chair (Police Misconduct Panel) [2020] EWHC 1400 (Admin). She has particular experience of defending claims brought by complainants of sexual assault and by the estate following a death.
Olivia has extensive inquest and inquiry experience acting on behalf of Chief Constables, officers with interested person status, healthcare providers and the Government.
Inquest into the death of Yassar Yaqub
Mr. Yaqub died having been shot by a firearms officer. Acting for West Yorkshire Police, led by Hugh Davies QC.
Undercover Policing Inquiry
acting for West Yorkshire Police.
Inquest into the death of Chris Penistone
represented the Civil Aviation Authority. Chris Penistone was an aerobatic pilot who died when his plane crashed during a public show.
Inquest into the death of William Mead
acted for SERCO. William was aged one when he died of sepsis. He had fallen ill leading to his mother ringing the NHS 111 service, run by SERCO.
Inquest into the death of Andrew Hall
Mr. Hall died in hospital following a period of restraint in police custody. Acted for West Yorkshire Police, led by Hugh Davies QC.
Olivia is recognised as a leader in the field of professional discipline (Legal 500, one of four leading juniors in her area). She presents for Appropriate Authorities across the country at first instance, in the Police Appeals Tribunal and in the High Court by way of judicial review.
R. (on the application of Wilby-Newton) v PAT and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [2021] EWHC 550 (Admin)
acted for the Appropriate Authority at first instance, on appeal and in the judicial review. The case helped to clarify, amongst other things, the admissibility of use of force expert evidence in misconduct proceedings.
R. (Chief Constable of the West Midlands) v Panel Chair (Police Misconduct Panel) [2020] EWHC 1400 (Admin)
acted for the Appropriate Authority and on judicial review in this misconduct case involving racist behaviour. The judgment of Eady J provides authority for the approach to be taken in cases involving racist conduct and the need to adhere to the College of Policing Guidance on Outcomes.
R (on the application of PC H) v PAT and Chief Constable of West Midlands Police
acting for the Appropriate Authority in this judicial review (West Midlands Police).
PC P
leading junior in a case involving multiple failures to investigate serious crime (Humberside Police).
PSs H and C
examining the actions of custody sergeants following a death in custody (Northumbria Police).
PC B
historical sexual abuse of a child (South Yorkshire Police)
Inspector A
disclosure of confidential information to a suspect in a criminal investigation (Northumbria Police).
PC J
sexual impropriety (North Yorkshire Police).
PC W
use of racist language (South Yorkshire Police).
PC P
controlling and coercive behaviour (Humberside Police).
Olivia undertakes all areas of public law work, including judicial review, human rights and inquests.
Olivia regularly advises and represents Chief Constables on judicial review claims involving all manner of alleged unlawful acts or omissions including failures to investigate and/or record crime; the use of police PACE and POCA powers and the retention of DNA and other data.
R. (on the application of Wilby-Newton) v PAT and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [2021] EWHC 550 (Admin)
R. (Chief Constable of the West Midlands) v Panel Chair (Police Misconduct Panel) [2020] EWHC 1400 (Admin).
Today sees the opening hearing of the Jalal Uddin Inquiry.
Discover moreToday sees the opening hearing of the Jalal Uddin Inquiry.
Discover moreOn 21 January 2021, PC Jonathan Broadhead activated his taser against a 10-year-old child…
Olivia Checa-Dover was instructed on behalf of the Chief Constable of Greater…
Instructing Olivia
Please contact Dan Waple if you have any questions or wish to instruct us.
“Olivia is extremely knowledgeable on all areas of police law. She places all clients and witnesses at ease during proceedings. She is excellent in her advocacy and never fazed by the unpredictable.”
“Olivia is an outstanding advocate with unprecedented expertise and knowledge in relation to police defendant work.”
“She is my go-to barrister for lots of cases. She is very perceptive and handles cases really well; she’s brilliant at cross-examination.” (Police Law)
‘Interprets a vast amount of information very quickly and provides clear and concise advice. She is very methodical in her work.’
‘An extremely sharp eye for detail.’
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