Politics · United Kingdom · 22 hrs ago
MPs seek to limit police immunity from civil claims
A 2025 Court of Appeal ruling in England and Wales gave police officers broad immunity from civil claims over their work on criminal investigations.
It means many claims are blocked, including those involving serious human rights abuses or data breaches, even when conduct is alleged to be unjustifiable.
The ruling followed a case in which Sussex Police sent a domestic violence survivor’s secret refuge address to prosecutors, and a lawyer later disclosed it in court.
The woman had to flee again and brought claims against the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
MPs Andrew Mitchell and Jess Phillips have proposed an amendment to limit the immunity, except for officers acting as witnesses.
Parliament is due to debate the amendment on Tuesday, and the ruling could also be overturned in a Supreme Court appeal this month.
Police can still face criminal prosecution and misconduct proceedings.
Backbench MPs Andrew Mitchell and Jess Phillips are seeking to limit police immunity from civil claims.
Their proposed amendment would allow claims over police actions in preparing criminal proceedings, including cases involving grave failings.
The move responds to a 2025 Court of Appeal ruling that extended police immunity in England and Wales to conduct and statements made during criminal investigations.
The ruling arose from a case in which Sussex Police included a domestic violence victim’s secret refuge address in a file sent to prosecutors.
The amendment is due to be debated in Parliament next week, while a separate Supreme Court appeal could also overturn the ruling this month.
- Who
- Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell and Labour MP Jess Phillips are proposing the amendment.
- What
- They seek to limit police immunity from civil claims over actions taken in preparing criminal proceedings.
- When
- The amendment is due to be debated next week; the article says a separate Supreme Court appeal is due this month.
- Where
- The ruling applies to England and Wales, and the amendment is being debated in Parliament.
- Why
- The MPs say the ruling could prevent victims from taking legal action against police for serious investigative failings.
Backbench MPs Andrew Mitchell and Jess Phillips
Court of Appeal ruling
Scope of immunity
Backbench MPs Andrew Mitchell and Jess Phillips
They seek to prevent immunity applying to police actions in preparing criminal proceedings, including cases involving grave failings.
Court of Appeal ruling
The ruling extended immunity to police conduct and statements made as part of investigations leading to potential prosecutions.
Impact on claims
Backbench MPs Andrew Mitchell and Jess Phillips
They say the ruling could stop victims pursuing legal action over serious police failings.
Court of Appeal ruling
The ruling blocks most types of legal claim over the covered conduct, with no exemptions for unjustifiable conduct.
if "we fail to close this legal loophole there will be devastating consequences for victims
no longer felt safe at all
A gang attacked two British tourists in Kenya, and one was murdered.
The Court of Appeal ruled that police immunity covers conduct and statements made during criminal investigations.
A Supreme Court appeal could overturn the ruling.
Parliament is due to debate the amendment proposed by Mitchell and Phillips.
- Proposed amendment
- Andrew Mitchell and Jess Phillips
- Court ruling
- 2025
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Police force involved in the claimant’s case
- Sussex Police
- Parliament debate
- Tuesday, according to the article
Sources
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