Public Law and Human Rights

Graeme Rothwell

Solicitor & Team Leader, Public Law and Human Rights

London

Areas of Expertise:

Graeme Rothwell is a Solicitor and Team Leader in our Public Law and Human Rights department, based in London.

Professional Biography

Graeme graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons), a qualifying law degree that provides the academic foundation for becoming a solicitor. He then attended Nottingham Law School where he completed the Legal Practice Course. He began his legal career in 2001, working across several respected law firms and gaining experience in a range of legal areas before specialising in civil liberties and human rights.

Between 2001 and 2010, Graeme worked in private practice across Yorkshire, initially focusing on civil and commercial litigation where he supported individuals and businesses involved in disputes. During his training as a solicitor, he also represented tenants facing eviction and handled cases against local housing authorities. These early experiences sparked a lasting commitment to protecting civil liberties and holding public bodies accountable for unfair or unlawful decisions.

Graeme qualified as a Solicitor in April 2007 and went on to spend over a decade working in criminal defence. He represented thousands of people during this time, providing legal support at police stations, advocacy in Magistrates’ and litigation support throughout Crown Court trials and higher court appeals. This work gave him a detailed understanding of how the justice system affects individuals and families facing State action.

In 2010, Graeme joined a central London law firm which specialised in criminal defence and civil liberties and human rights. This marked a turning point in his career as he became aware and involved in clients making civil claims against the police and the wider State.

He later worked on cases involving police misconduct, unlawful detention, and abuse of power by public authorities, including prisons and immigration detention centres. He also began representing bereaved families at Article 2 inquests, assisting Coroner’s investigations into deaths in police or prison custody, following contact with community mental health services or those being treated for mental health illnesses while in secure care .

Graeme went on to further develop this specialism from 2016 onwards, expanding his practice at another national law firm, handling complex and sensitive claims involving the police, immigration detention, and the Ministry of Justice. This period strengthened his reputation for tenacity and unwavering commitment to justice, particularly in cases involving serious injury caused by the systemic failings of public authorities.

In October 2025, Graeme joined Simpson Millar as a Solicitor and Team Leader in the Public Law and Human Rights department. His day-to-day work involves representing clients in complaints and litigation against public bodies, including the police, prisons, and government departments. He also supports families through inquest proceedings and leads a team of solicitors and paralegals to ensure every case is handled with skill, care, and determination.

Professional Memberships/Accreditation

Graeme is a member of the Inquest Lawyers’ Group, a national network of lawyers who specialise in representing bereaved families during inquest proceedings.
He is also a member of the Police Action Lawyers’ Group, which brings together solicitors dedicated to holding the police and other State bodies to account through legal action.
In addition, Graeme holds the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation, recognising his expertise and experience in criminal defence work.
He is also an Accredited Police Station Representative, having completed his accreditation through Cardiff University, which allows him to provide legal advice and representation to clients detained by the police.

Awards and Recognitions

Graeme was recognised in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 for his work in Civil Liberties and Human Rights (London). The guide highlighted the trust and confidence his clients place in him, noting that “clients trust him with their lives, let alone their cases.” He was described as “without peers in the sector” and praised by other leading professionals as “the best solicitor I have worked with on civil liberties and human rights. He knows the law and the type of evidence necessary to win cases.”

Case Studies / Notable Case

Inquests

Graeme represented the Davison family in the inquests that followed the Plymouth mass shootings in August 2021. The hearings examined how the perpetrator was granted a firearms licence despite previous concerning behaviour, and the jury’s conclusions prompted wide-ranging reviews of firearms licensing policies and oversight across England and Wales.
He also acted for the mother of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, a soldier who was found deceased in his accommodation at his barracks over the Christmas period. His body was tragically undiscovered for several weeks, raising serious questions about welfare checks and procedures within the armed forces. The inquest explored how his death went unnoticed and the failings that contributed to that outcome.

Litigation

Graeme represented Daniel Woolley in a claim against the Ministry of Justice after Daniel was assaulted by a group of prisoners while serving his sentence at HMP Birmingham. Prison authorities were aware of ongoing tensions between the prisoners involved and of their history of violence, yet failed to take reasonable steps to protect Daniel from harm. Despite defending the case for some time and forcing it towards trial, the Ministry of Justice abandoned its defence less than a week before the hearing and agreed to settle. Daniel received compensation, and the Ministry of Justice was ordered to pay his legal costs.

Complaints Against Public Authorities/Police

Graeme supported a bereaved family in bringing a complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) about the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the Grenfell Tower fire. The complaint focused on the decision to involve the National Police Air Service (NPAS) and deploy helicopters to the scene, as well as communication failures between police operators and the public. The IOPC identified failings in how information was shared and handled during the incident.
He assisted 81-year-old Malcolm Emery in both a complaint and civil claim against Bedfordshire Police after officers entered his home during the night and assaulted him on the road outside. The police conduct was found to be wholly unjustified, and the complaint was upheld. Mr Emery received compensation for the distress and injury caused by the incident.
Graeme also represented a father and his son in their complaint and civil claim against Thames Valley Police after both men were arrested and subjected to unnecessary force. He supported the family throughout the complaints process and the subsequent misconduct hearing, which resulted in the dismissal of the most aggressive officer. That officer was also placed on the national police barring list, preventing him from serving as an officer in the future.
In another case, Graeme was instructed by the family of a 90-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease to make a complaint and bring a civil claim against the Metropolitan Police. The woman had been handcuffed and had a spit hood placed over her head by officers. Graeme helped the family seek accountability for the excessive use of force and the failure to make reasonable adjustments for her condition.

Reported Cases

Woolley v Ministry of Justice [2024] EWHC 304 (KB) (16 February 2024) - Graeme successfully challenged a costs budgeting decision made by a Circuit Judge sitting at the County Court at Central London. The case clarified procedural fairness in costs management within complex civil claims.
Sheffield City Council v Shaw [2007] EWCA Civ 42; [2007] HLR 25 - Graeme represented a client in a successful High Court challenge against a local authority’s decision to remove his statutory housing entitlement. The ruling protected the client’s right to remain within his established support network in Sheffield and reinforced the importance of local authorities considering individual welfare when making housing decisions.

Graeme is dedicated to supporting bereaved families through the inquest process and is a committed advocate for those seeking justice after professional misconduct, failings, or wrongdoing by State bodies. He provides strong, consistent support to every client and works tirelessly to hold individuals and public authorities to account when their actions have breached civil liberties or human rights.

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