Articles by ‘Ali Batchelor’

Official figures released on 25 July have shown that deaths in police custody have risen by nearly 65% to their highest figure in 10 years, with 23 people dying in the last year alone. These deaths occurred either in police cells or whilst being taken to hospital following detention in a police cell or arrest.

Our team got involved with the Law Society’s #SolicitorChat initiative, to help people on social media understand key topics around the legal profession. This time, Ali Cloak and Mark Hambleton offered their perspectives on instructing a solicitor.

New Government funding announced last month means that no local authority will now be able to charge parents for the burial or cremation of children who have passed away.

This announcement follows a 28-year campaign by the MP Carolyn Harris and means that parents who are in the devastating position of losing their child will not have to struggle financially to provide their child with a dignified and respectful funeral.

Currently there is no legal requirement for employers in the UK to provide paid leave for grieving parents, but a new bill – currently in parliament – could change that. Here’s what you need to know, and why it’s important.

At the end of 2017, the Chief Coroner published his annual report on inquests over the preceding year. The report provides useful insights for care providers on the common pitfalls in care provision that have been identified during inquests and how to avoid similar incidents being repeated.

As part of her series of blogs dealing with the inquest process from start to finish, Ali Cloak considers what you can expect from the inquest hearing itself.

In preparation for an Inquest, disclosure refers to the process of information/evidence being made available to the coroner and, thereafter, information being made available from the coroner to ‘Interested Persons’.

The outgoing Chief Coroner of England and Wales, HHJ Peter Thornton QC, has voiced his recommendation that Legal Aid should be provided for families at inquests where the Government is paying for lawyers to represent police officers or other state employees.  Inquests Solicitor Ali Cloak considers the background and implications of these recommendations.

Parents who saw their son engulfed in flames after the police discharged a Taser at him, have today received compensation as part of an out-of-court settlement agreed with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

Ali Cloak explains how coroners are selected and qualify for their position, and details the improvements that have been made to standards.

In the next of a series of blogs considering all aspects of inquest law, solicitor Ali Cloak explores what it means to be an ‘interested person’ in an inquest and the rights conferred by the title.

Ali Cloak recently acted for the parents of a young woman, who took her own life whilst detained under a mental health section.