Stephen Simblet KC, Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, led Daniel Grütters of One Pump Court on the successful appeal and damages award. Counsel were instructed by Alice See and Felix Parsons of GT Stewart Solicitors.
In Watson v Chief Constable of Humberside [2025] EWHC 2044, the High Court (Lavender J) allowed an appeal against the first-instance judge’s dismissal of a claim for false imprisonment and assault. See a previous news item on the appeal here.
The Court had invited further submissions on costs and damages. Those led to Lavender J awarding £59565.33, including an award with an element of aggravated damages, and £15,000 for exemplary damages. Lavender J’s reasons for this were:
“18. The recorder found that the officers lied. They lied from the day of arrest until, and at, the appellant’s trial. This fact, taken with all of the other circumstances, elevates the present case into the category in which an award of exemplary damages is appropriate.
19. Having regard to all of the circumstances of the case, including the fact that I have allowed an amount in respect of aggravated damages, I assess the appropriate amount of exemplary damages at £15,000”
A link to the order and the judgment on damages is here: Judgment 23.01.26 – Case No. KA-2023-LDS-000024
