Introduction

Simon is a dedicated barrister whose practice is focussed on: -

• human rights and equality (including international human rights, UN special procedures, discrimination)

• data protection, information and artificial intelligence (including DSAR’s, FOI, misuse, regulation, facial recognition, biometrics, data rights, retention, machine learning)

• police and public authorities (false imprisonment, trespass to person/property, assault/battery, HRA)

• public law and judicial review (prisoner, age assessments)

• regulatory (disciplinary, statutory appeals)

• inquests

• asylum and immigration

• personal injury, clinical negligence and occupational disease

• proceeds of crime

• housing (disrepair, possessions)

• class action

He joined Chambers in 2024 having previously practised as a class action solicitor where he represented claimants in numerous high-profile data protection group actions and developed privacy related representative actions against social media and surveillance companies.

Simon undertakes a variety of interim and final hearings including multi-day trials. He is regularly instructed to act as case presenter for a variety of regulatory bodies at disciplinary hearings in addition to receiving instructions from government departments in relation to proceeds of crime, civil penalty and immigration matters.

Simon is able to provide a very quick turnaround of advice/grounds, pleadings and general drafting should it be required. He is also willing to take on urgent matters after normal hours and at weekends.

Increasingly he is engaged on international human rights matters involving UN special procedures. He recently acted as junior counsel to Haydee Dijkstal in the case of a high-profile individual who was at risk of immediate extradition and torture. He also currently acts on behalf of a British citizen detained in Saudi Arabia without charge and is actively developing his international human rights and protection practices having recently appeared in the Court of Appeal led by Dr Chelvan on such matters.

Generally, Simon is extremely dedicated and hard-working, whether that be as a junior or as sole counsel. He is willing to go the extra mile for clients which is reflected in the multiple repeat instructions from those firms that engage him.

Beyond his core practice, Simon is deeply committed to pro bono work and provides many hours of legal assistance to those that could otherwise afford it. He is prepared to consider any case on a pro bono basis where there is a clear need.

International Human Rights

Simon currently assists Haydee Dijkstal in relation to international human rights abuses. He currently acts as junior in a case of abritary detention in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Simon was also led by Haydee in the case of a high profile exile from Egypt who was detained by the Lebanese authorities at the request of Egypt and the UAE. Haydee and Simon worked through the weekend to urgently draft a lengthy and detailed submission to the UN special rapporteurs and were successful in illiciting a full response from the SR's within 48 hours who issued a communication to the state of Lebanon to compel them to respect the client's international human rights. 

Simon regularly attends training regarding international human rights matters and is willing to take on urgent matters and travel abroad at short notice should the client require it.

Civil liberties and Human Rights

Simon takes instructions on human rights matters but invariably they cross over into other areas. He acts on matters of equality and discrimination and becomes invested in a case should he deem there to be any abuse of power. The bulk of Simon's work involves the protection of human rights in some form whether that be by making submissions to the UN, acting for individuals who have been subject to a false imprisonment or acting in article 3 protection appeals for those who may be deported to be tortured. Simon is always willing to take on a matter if it involves the protection of an individuals inalienable human rights.

Asylum

Simon assists more senior members of chambers in relation to Article 3 protection claims in the first and upper tier tribunals and on asylum matters generally. He recently appeared as junior to Dr Chelvan in an appeal by the Secretary of State for the Home Department relating to the standard of proof required in Article 3 deportation cases.

Simon also acts pro bono on asylum matters for the charity Advocate and is developing his asylum practice to represent those in need in the first and upper tier tribunals.

Regulatory

Simon is instructed by various regulators to act as case presenter at fitness to practice interim and final hearings. He has also been instructed by the NMC to act on behalf of the medical professional in need of assistance. He has a very good understanding and practical knowledge of the fitness to practice rules for the various regulators. 

Simon is regularly instructed by the SSHD in relation to statutory appeals following civil penalties being issued to haulage companies following clandestine entrants being detected at the immigration control zone. He is also instructed on appeals following civil penalties being issued to businesses for employing illegal workers.

Housing

Simon acts for claimants and defendants in housing matters mainly in relation to claims brought for disrepair. He has developed relationships with housing trusts that goes beyond hearing attendance for example assisting with the general strategy of one particular housing trust on how best to deal with all of the claims brought against it.

Generally Simon is instructed to attend trials, interim hearings, CCMC's and mediations in addition to drafting pleadings, applications, advices and correspondence.

Simon also acts in possession matters and is willing to travel throughout the country. He also acts on injunction matters related to anti-social behaviour.

Simon is willing to act pro bono for those who are unable to afford legal representation and is open to discuss any matter should help be needed.

Civil

Simon's civil practice is mainly focussed on civil actions against the police and public authorities in claims for false imprisonment and other torts. He is also experienced in personal injury, clinical negligence, occupational disease and credit hire. In these areas Simon attends trials including multi-day trials, interim hearings, CCMC's and any other hearing as required. He is willing to consider acting on matters that other counsel would not take on a CFA as he is always up for the fight. 

He also deals with unitary data protection matters to include the drafting of pleadings, advice and attendance and hearings and trials. He also currently assists with the development of data protection class action matters and the development of new case theories with particular law firms.

Civil Actions Against the Police and Public Authorities

Simon is regularly instructed in claims for false imprisonment and associated torts against police forces and public authorities around the country. He is able to turnaround pleadings quickly if required and can attend trials on short notice. Simon is able to attend CCMC's, PTR's, application hearings, multi-day trials and, if required, will do so on a CFA. 

Personal Injury

Simon has many years experience dealing with personal injury matters for both claimants and defendants. His main personal injury specialism is in occupational disease and as a solicitor managed a significant caseload of fast and multi-track noise induced hearing loss, hand arm vibration syndrome, asthma and dermatitis matters in addition to assisting on more complex High Court asbestos cases. 

Simon also has experience of clinical negligence cases and in addition to his own small caseload he assisted more senior solicitors in bringing more complex birth injury and fatality cases. Clinical negligence is an area he wishes to develop at the Bar.

Simon is able to act at all stages of a personal injury matter and prefers to engage with a case early even if it is initially just informal advice regarding strategy.

Inquests

Simon is developing a coronial practice and is currently instructed to act for a local authority in relation to the death of a man in a care home. In the past he has acted on behalf of bereaved family members in a matter pertaining to an accidental overdose. 

Notable Cases

SSHD v PG (CoA) 

Collins & Ors v Ticketmaster UK Limited 

Bennett & Ors v Equifax Limited

British Airways Data Event Group Litigation

easyJet Data Breach Group Litigation 

Farley & Ors v Paymaster (1836) Limited t/a Equiniti

Qualifications

LLB University of Liverpool

Legal Practice Course

Civil Higher Rights of Audience (2021)

Criminal Higher Rights of Audience (2023)

Memberships

Simon is a member of the Bar Human Rights Committee. He also undertakes pro bono work on behalf of the charity Advocate. Simon is committed to helping those who are unable to help themselves and will act pro bono if required. He has volunteered for the Bar Council's Schools program which places Barristers in schools to provide information and guidance regarding a career at the Bar. Lastly, Simon is developing a program of learning for school children which will cover a wide range of practical legal life skills and knowledge. 

Direct Access

Simon is direct access qualified and may accept instructions directly.