Robert Cohen

Robert is ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK as a leading junior in the field of police law. He represents police forces across the country and has extensive experience in a range of civil matters. He has been praised by clients for his calm and intelligent approach and is described as being extremely eloquent. He has appeared on behalf of Chief Constables in the Court of Appeal, High Court, and County Court. Robert has a great deal of experience dealing with the issues facing the police in relation to their handling of sensitive information. He is regularly instructed in to deal with judicial reviews and civil actions in respect of police decisions as to criminal records. He is also often asked to make submissions in relation to Public Interest Immunity. Featured Police Law cases R(W80) v IOPC [2020] EWCA Civ 1301 Acted (as junior to Jason Beer QC) for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in this appeal. The Court of Appeal ruled definitively on the extent to which the test for self-defence in police misconduct should be the civil or criminal test. R(Weed) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2020] EWHC 287 (Admin)Acted for the Defendant in a challenge to her decision not to extend sick pay to a police officer. This was the first time that this issue has been considered by the High Court. Mr Justice Johnson upheld the Commissioners decision. Khan v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police and Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police [2017] EWHC 2185 (QB)Acted for both Chief Constables in this civil action for False Imprisonment, Trespass, Assault, and Defamation. The Claimant had been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Terrorism Act and sued both police forces involved. His claims were dismissed in their entirety Grey v Commissioner of Police [2016] EWCA Civ 1360 Successfully defended this second appeal in the Court of Appeal. The Court held that the proper approach had been taken to seizing the Appellants vehicle pursuant to section 165 A of the Road Traffic Act. Murray v Chief Constable of Lancashire [2015] EWCA Civ 1174 Appeal against the imposition of an interim Injunction to Restrain Gang Related Violence. This is the leading case on the manner in which interim orders ought to be addressed. Elliott v Staffordshire Police [2015] EWHC 3165 (QB)Trial of the Claimants claim for defamation. The Claimant alleged that he had been libelled by the course of a child protection conference. His claim was dismissed and costs awarded to the Chief Constable on an indemnity basis. Re the Al Hilli Children [2013] EWHC 2190 (Fam) and [2013] EWHC 2299 (Fam)Acting for the Chief Constable of Surrey (as junior to Fiona Barton QC) in these complex family proceedings. Particular issues arose in relation to the disclosure of sensitive information and the assertion of PII, the attendance of representatives of the press, and the sensitivities associated with an international, cross border investigation. Ali v Bashir [2013] EWHC 2572 Acted for the Chief Constable of Surrey in these election court proceedings. He represented the Chief Constable at the scrutiny, and handled applications for the disclosure of police information.