Graeme Rothwell

I am a Director of Duncan Lewis Solicitors and Head of the firm’s Claims Against Public Authorities and Inquest department. My expertise is in bringing civil claims against the State, particularly against the police, immigration detention authorities and prisons. I represent bereaved families at inquests which investigate deaths of their loved ones. I specialise in investigations into deaths following police contact, in police or prison custody or following contact with mental health services.

I have extensive experience handling complex cases involving serious injuries resulting from police action and incidents within immigration removal centres. I am dedicated to advocating for justice and accountability in cases where public authorities have failed in their duties. I work with families affected by unfair and sometimes tragic events to help ensure they receive the justice and closure they deserve.

I began my legal career in civil and commercial litigation. During training as a solicitor I noticed certain sections of society were being adversely and unfairly affected by actions of the State. I then began to represent individuals who were pitched against the State during my training as a solicitor. As a trainee solicitor, I worked on behalf of clients facing eviction from their homes, against local housing authorities, which reinforced my passion for civil liberties and human rights.

I qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and then spent over a decade working in criminal defence. I represented thousands of people during this time in actions against them by the State. My work included representation at the police station, trial and bail advocacy in the Magistrates' and Crown Courts and providing litigation support in the Crown and Appeal Courts.

A move to a civil liberties firm in central London brought a realisation that the skills I had employed in defence might be better used proactively. I then began acting for clients as claimants, challenging State misconduct where I perceived it. I expanded my practice to include representation of bereaved families during inquest proceedings.

I joined Duncan Lewis Solicitors as an associate solicitor in 2016. I believe I had a pivotal role in establishing the Claims Against Public Authorities and Inquest department. My contributions were recognised and I was promoted to Director in 2018. I have represented families in cases which have attracted significant media coverage, including the Grenfell Tower fire, the Windrush scandal, the Plymouth mass shooting and many others.

Throughout my career, I have remained committed to upholding the rights of my clients. I provide unwavering support to my clients and will not stop fighting for them until their objectives are achieved.

• Duncan Lewis Solicitors (2016-present)
• McMillan Williams Solicitors (2015-2016)
• Saunders Law (2010-2015)
• Admitted as a Solicitor (2007)
• Norrie Waite & Slater Solicitors, Sheffield (2004-2010)
• Foy's Solicitors, Doncaster (2003-2004)
• Bell & Buxton Solicitors, Sheffield (2001-2003)

• Recommended Lawyer - The Legal 500 UK (2024)

Court of Appeal

• Sheffield City Council v Shaw [2007] EWCA Civ 42; [2007] HLR 25

High Court

• Woolley v Ministry of Justice [2024] EWHC 304 (KB) (16 February 2024)

Civil Court

Inquests
Inquest Touching Upon the Deaths Arising from the Plymouth Shootings

• Graeme was instructed by the Davison family in both sets of inquests arising from the mass shooting in Plymouth on 12 August 2021. Jake Davison used a shotgun to kill his mother and several others before ultimately shooting and killing himself.

Inquest Touching Upon the Death of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan

• Instructed by the mother of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, a soldier who died at his barracks in unclear circumstances. Bernie had been dead for several weeks before anyone had noticed his absence and found his body.

Inquest Touching Upon the Death of Irinel Popovici and Others

• Instructed by the family of a man killed by a fishing trawler which collided with his fishing boat off the coast of Shoreham on Sea. Graeme supported the family through the Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s investigation of the incident, the successful prosecution of Vertrouwen’s skipper, and the final inquest hearing.

Inquest Touching Upon the Death of Tariq Dalton

• Instructed by the family of Tariq Dalton in an inquest touching upon his death at HMP Thameside. Graeme represented the family during the inquest proceedings and subsequently brought litigation under Article 2 of the ECHR against the Ministry of Justice and successfully recovered monetary compensation for the family.

Inquest Touching Upon the Death of Adrian Michaels

• Instructed by the sister of Adrian Michaels in an inquest touching upon his death which occurred whilst he was an inmate at HMP Thameside. Adrian had taken his own life after prison authorities failed to provide him with adequate anti-psychotic medication.

Complaints Against Police
In a Complaint by Ibrahim Umar against Thames Valley Police

• Instructed to challenge the behaviour of a team of police officers who arrested Ibrahim and his father Mohammed. The team supported the family through the complaints process and during the misconduct hearing. The officer was ultimately dismissed from the force for misconduct and placed on a barring list, precluding him from serving as a police officer again.

In a Complaint by D Against the Metropolitan Police

• Graeme is instructed by the family of a 90-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s Dementia after she was handcuffed and had a ‘spit-hood’ placed over her head by the Metropolitan Police.

In a Complaint by Malcolm Emery Against Bedfordshire Police

• Instructed by Malcolm Emery. Mr Emery is in his eighties and suffers from dementia. Police officers entered his garden in the early hours of the morning and peered at him through his lounge window. Startled, Mr Emery went out onto his street to investigate and challenge the intruders. There, he was instead confronted and assaulted by police officers before being arrested by them.

In a Complaint by N Against the Metropolitan Police

• Graeme represented an individual who lost many relatives in the Grenfell Tower disaster. He assisted with making and progressing the complaint to the IOPC. This involved a detailed scrutiny of the actions of police both on the ground and in their decision to use police helicopters. Various recommendations were made following the investigation. The investigation uncovered unsafe practice in the police call handlers’ actions at the time of the inferno, and reaffirmed the need for operational transparency and clarity regarding the role of the National Police Air Service (‘NPAS’).

In a Complaint by M against the Metropolitan Police

• Instructed by MB in making a complaint to the police regarding the police use of firearms and assault. MB had been residing in a flat and had suffered a public mental health crisis. Armed police officers forced entry to his home, before firing several shots into his chest and abdomen using pistols and rifles. This resulted in injuries which were nearly fatal. Graeme supported M through the very thorough IOPC investigation into the actions taken by police chiefs and armed officers. The case gave a particular insight into the strategies employed by armed response units in dealing with serious incidents.

Litigation Against State Bodies
Local Authority
M v London Borough of Islington

• Instructed by M in litigation against the London Borough of Islington. M brought an action against the Borough for its failure to safeguard her when she had status as a vulnerable child. M was a survivor of historic sexual abuse while in foster care and had supposedly been under the supervision of the Borough. Following a successful complaint, Graeme was then instructed to bring a claim in negligence. Through mediation, the Borough conceded and an admission of liability was made, an apology secured, and compensation paid. The Borough paid almost £100,000 in compensation together with M’s legal costs.

Prisons and the Ministry of Justice
Daniel Woolley v Ministry of Justice

• Daniel had been assaulted by another prisoner whilst an inmate of HMP Birmingham. The prison authorities had been aware of the animosity between the assailants and Mr Woolley, together with the particularly violent natures of the men who ultimately assaulted him. They had, however, failed to do anything necessary to protect him from the assault. Although the Ministry of Justice forced Mr Woolley to proceed towards trial, it ultimately gave up its defence just under a week before trial and sought settlement. Mr Woolley was paid compensation and the Ministry of Justice was also obligated to pay his full legal costs.

Secretary of State for the Home Office
RM v Secretary of State for the Home Office

• Member of INQUEST
• Member of the Police Actions Lawyers Group (PALG)
• Member of the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

• I am an outdoor enthusiast and a keen sailor. When not on, in, or around boats, I enjoy spending time with my family.

• Deaths in Home Office Accommodation: Duncan Lewis Represents Family in Landmark Inquest (26 November 2024)
• Successful Representation for Asian Family in Police Assault Case Gains Media Attention (1 May 2024)
• Duncan Lewis Secures Significant Settlement in UK GDPR Claim Against the Disclosure and Barring Service (16 April 2024)
• Police Officer Sacked for Assault on Asian Father and his Autistic Son after Case Brought by Duncan Lewis (13 March 2024)
• Duncan Lewis Secures Significant Cost Judgment Victory in High Court Appeal (19 February 2024)
• Family of woman, 90, handcuffed and covered with spit hood instruct Duncan Lewis in action against police (1 June 2023)
• Police fail to investigate the crime you reported, so what next? (30 May 2023)
• Duncan Lewis instructed inquest into Keyham shooting featured in the Plymouth Herald (27 February 2023)
• “Catastrophic failings” in the gun licensing system led to the mass shooting in Plymouth, inquest jury finds (22 February 2023)
• Duncan Lewis Solicitors instructed by Davison family for Plymouth Shooting Inquest (17 January 2023)
• Taking legal action to combat police brutality (24 June 2020)
• Solicitor Graeme Rothwell becomes Director of Action Against Public Authorities department (2 April 2019)
• Police Mistreatment During Strip Search (Asian Voice) (28 November 2018)
• Pre Issued Settlement – The Case of D (22 June 2018)
• Money Laundering - The case of ‘O’ (22 June 2018)
• DBS Checks: Can I Challenge My Record? (13 March 2018)
• Police officers charged following Kingsley Burrell custody death (20 October 2016)