Anna Morris KC

Overview

Anna is widely recognised for her significant inquest and inquiries practice and is ranked as a Leading Junior by both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners (Band 1). Anna is Co-convenor of the GCN Inquest and Inquiries Team. 

Anna is experienced in high –profile and complex inquests and public inquiries. She is currently instructed on behalf of a number of families that lost loved ones as a result of the Manchester Arena Bombing at the public inquiry Chaired by Sir John Saunders. Anna is currently instructed as Counsel to the Inquest in a matter involving the death of a young child. Anna represented 14 families who lost loved ones in the historic Inquests into Hillsborough Stadium disaster. 

Anna’s Inquest practice specialises in complex inquests that engage Article 2 ECHR. She is a natural jury advocate with extensive experience developed within the criminal and civil courts. Anna frequently represents families in prison and police related deaths and deaths involving restraint. She has particular expertise in inquests that involve those suffering complex mental health issues, both in state detention, detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 and in the community. Anna has a particular interest in post-homicide Article 2 inquests involving femicide and those involving the deaths of women and where the deceased was vulnerable or had complex needs. 

Anna also provides specialist advice to families before and after the inquest process in respect of civil claims in damages. She is also experienced in Judicial Review proceedings arising from the inquest process. Anna is ranked in the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior in Public and Administrative Law. 

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Public Inquiry into the Manchester MEN Arena Bombing - Anna is currently instructed on behalf of a number of families who lost loved ones in the fatal bombing.  Reported by the BBC.

Guildford Pub Bombings 1974 Inquests - Anna is currently instructed alongside Brenda Campbell QC on behalf of those who lost loved ones as a result of the 1974 bombings. Reported by the BBC.

Hillsborough Inquest - Represented 14 families whose loved ones died at Hillsborough Stadium on 15th April 1989. Instructed by Birnberg Pierce and Partners alongside Brenda Campbell QC to lead the questioning on behalf of the HFSG families during the section on the inquest focusing on the policing of the fans outside the stadium. Anna was also junior counsel to Michael Mansfield QC and Peter Wilcock QC as part of the team of counsel leading the questioning in respect of the actions of South Yorkshire Police officers in the 'cover up' of the role their officers played in the disaster. 

Inquest touching on the death of Elsie Frost – Following a campaign by Elsie’s family and an investigation by the Radio 4 “PM” programme, West Yorkshire Police agreed to re-investigate the 1965 murder of a 13 year old girl in Wakefield. Anna represented the family in obtaining the Attorney General’s Fiat and the Order of the High Court for a fresh inquest into her death. Frost v Her Majesty’s Coroner for West Yorkshire [2019] EWHC 1100 (Admin). Reported in the Guardian.

Inquest Touching on the death of Michael Hoolikin – Article 2 inquest following Michael’s murder by a prolific and persistent violent offender who was on licence following a serious attack on another young male. His risk of serious harm was known to be linked to Class A drug use. The inquest found that despite knowledge of this risk factor, probation staff monitoring him failed to realise that he had tested positive for cocaine 9 times and found that had it been known, he would have been recalled before Michael’s murder. Reported in the BBC.

Inquest Touching on the death of Cherylee Shennan - Article 2 inquest following Cherylee’s murder by her partner, who had been convicted of the murder of his previous partner and was being managed on life license in the community by probation. The Inquest concluded that the failure to recall the offender when his violent behavior towards Cherylee became known to probation and police contributed to her death. Reported in the Independent. 

Inquest Touching on the death of John Gogarty  - Article 2 inquest following the murder of a man by an offender released on license whilst serving a life sentence for murder. The inquest concluded that probation service failings led to a missed opportunity to recall the offender before John Gogarty’s murder. Reported in the BBC.

Inquest Touching on the Death of Vikki Thompson - Article 2 Inquest/ Death in custody HMP Armley. Death of a transgender woman as a result of self-harm in a male prison. Investigation into adequacy of NOMS and HMP policy on treatment of Transgender Prisoners and assessment and management of risk of self-harm & suicide. Jury returned critical narrative conclusion. Reported in the BBC.

Inquest Touching on the Death of Darren Lyons - Article 2 Inquest/death in police custody. Inquest into the death of a man with mental health and substance misuse issues who was taken into the police station whilst acutely unwell and died in a police cell without receiving any medical attention. Jury returned critical narrative conclusion. Reported in the BBC.

Inquest Touching on the death of Matthew Jones - Article 2 inquest into the death of a young man who died following restraint by the police during a period of disturbed behaviour. There are issues of complex medical interaction between cocaine toxicity, behavioural disturbance, hyperthermia and bowel ischaemia.

Overview

Anna specialises in advising and representing Claimants in both civil claims for damages and public law remedies. Anna is recognised as a Leading Junior by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners (Band 1) in Civil Liberties and Human Rights. 

Anna is the Human Rights Editor of Stones’ Justices’ Manual (Lexis Nexis) and the Author of “The Protest Handbook” (2nd Ed 2020) (Bloomsbury Professional). 

Anna has a particular interest in claims against public authorities on behalf of children and vulnerable adults, including those with mental health issues. Anna works with a number of groups who are survivors of child sexual exploitation and is developing expertise in litigation in this area. 

Anna advises in claims under the Human Rights Act against police forces for their failure to investigate allegations of serious offences or handle sensitive data appropriately in breach of Article 2, 3 and 8 ECHR. 

Anna also specialises in claims against the police and public authorities arising from political demonstrations and incursions on the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, violations of Articles 8, 10 and 11 ECHR.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

SL, BW & HW v Chief Constable of South Wales Police - Civil Claim in damages for false imprisonment, assault and malicious prosecution and violations of Article 8, 10 and 11 ECHR arising from the arrest of the Claimants who were protesting outside an Arms Trade Fair in Cardiff. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

AW v Ministry of Justice - Civil claim in damages for negligence and violation of Article 3 ECHR for a failure to protect the Claimant prisoner from being taken hostage by a fellow inmate, who had threatened to take him hostage in the hearing of officers. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

DB v Chief Constable of Hampshire Police  - Civil Claim in damages for misfeasance in public officer, and violation of Article 8 ECHR arising from an officer on duty "sexting" a complainant who reported to be the victim of crime. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

LM v (1) Pennine Acute Hospital Trust (2) Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust- Civil Claim in damages for violation of Article 2 ECHR following the death of LM's son who presented at A&E with cut wrists but was allowed to leave before being seen and was not reported as a high risk missing person. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

Overview

Anna is recognised as one of the leading claimant barristers in the area of police law. She is ranked a Leading Junior in Chambers and Partners (Band 1).  She has particular expertise in claims arising out of protests and demonstrations, and in claims that involve police contact with vulnerable adults and children. Her parallel expertise in inquests that arise following deaths in police or state custody means that she also frequently advises on civil claims under Article 2 ECHR, the right to life. 

Anna has a particular interest in claims against public authorities on behalf of children and vulnerable adults, including those with mental health issues. Anna works with a number of groups who are survivors of child sexual exploitation and is developing expertise in litigation in this area. 

Anna also advises legal and campaigning organisations on topics such as mental health and policing and the accountability of police for investigating allegations of child sexual abuse. 

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

SL, BW & HW v Chief Constable of South Wales Police  - Civil Claim in damages for false imprisonment, assault and malicious prosecution and violations of Article 8, 10 and 11 ECHR arising from the arrest of the Claimants who were protesting outside an Arms Trade Fair in Cardiff. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

JP & Ors v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis - Civil Claim in damages for false imprisonment, assault and violations of Articles 8, 10 and 11 ECHR arising from the arrest of the Claimants who were taking part in the "Critical Mass" Cycle Ride on the day of the London Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2012. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

AW v Ministry of Justice - Civil claim in damages for negligence and violation of Article 3 ECHR for a failure to protect the Claimant prisoner from being taken hostage by a fellow inmate, who had threatened to take him hostage in the hearing of officers. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

DB v Chief Constable of Hampshire - Civil Claim in damages for misfeasance in public officer, and violation of Article 8 ECHR arising from an officer on duty "sexting" a complainant who reported to be the victim of crime. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

LM v (1) Pennine Acute Hospital Trust (2) Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, 2018 - Civil Claim in damages for violation of Article 2 ECHR following the death of LM's son who presented at A&E with cut wrists but was allowed to leave before being seen and was not reported as a high risk missing person. The Defendant settled the claim by agreeing to pay damages and costs.

Overview

Anna holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and Human Rights from the University of Nottingham. Anna has advised and delivered training on behalf of a number of international organisations including the OSCE and Amnesty International. 

Notable Cases

Anna was appointed by Reprieve to represent a pregnant British national who was facing the death penalty in Laos for drug offences. After visiting the young woman in Laos and meeting with the relevant authorities, Anna was able to secure the swift release and her repatriation back to the UK. Anna was then involved in the habeas corpus and judicial review proceedings that brought to light the failings of the Laos legal system and tested the UK's ability to detain an individual following a foreign trial that may have breached Article 6 ECHR; Orobator v HMP Holloway & Anor EWHC 28 (Admin).

Overview

Anna began her career at the bar as a criminal defence practitioner and is an experienced Crown Court advocate who has represented defendants accused of terrorism, serious drugs importation, multi-million-pound fraud and other serious offences. Anna brings her breadth of knowledge across the civil and public law fields to legal arguments around disclosure, abuse of process and admissibility of evidence.

Anna has a strong reputation for successfully defending protestors accused of committing offences during demonstrations. With her expertise in protest law across the criminal and civil fields, Anna has been involved in a number of significant areas of litigation around political protest and is the co- author of "The Protest Handbook" (Bloomsbury Professional), which has been commissioned for a 2nd edition. 

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

R v I & Ors, 2018 - 6 Defendants indicted with kidnap, false imprisonment and ABH.

R v H, B & Ors, 2018 - Defendants accused of brothel-keeping. Abuse of process argument that centres on local police policy which permitted the operation of the premises over a 15-year period without arrest.

R v Basto & Ors - Defendants acquitted of public nuisance after they climbed to the top of Tower Bridge and abseiled down, unfurling a large banner highlighting the threats of Climate Change.

R v Finch - Successful defence to brothel-keeping charges on the basis that s.33A Sexual Offences Act, which prevents sex-worker from working collectively is unsafe.