Una Morris

Year of Call: 2012

"She is one of the most experienced, hard-working and committed barristers in the area. She is approachable, and provides detailed advice and representation on a range of matters concerning police misconduct."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Police Law)

"Una is absolutely brilliant. Her advocacy is exceptional. She is tenacious and determined, even in the most difficult of cases."

Legal 500, 2024 (Police Law)

"Una is a superb advocate, and her written work is well researched, argued and eloquent."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Police Law)

"Una is always very well prepared, brilliant on her feet, and able to think quickly and creatively."

Legal 500, 2024 (Inquests & Inquiries)

"Una is a highly intelligent and able junior; her written work and legal analysis are impressive and I find her incredibly reassuring to have on my cases. She is a fearless advocate."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Inquests & Inquiries)

"She works strategically and with real insight, and she is across all parts of the case. Her judgement on how a case will play out, and how to get the client what they want (or need), is excellent. She is client-driven and never ego-driven. She excels in all aspects."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

Contact

If you would like to get in touch with Una please contact the clerking team:

Or you can contact the relevant​ Practice Team Clerks directly and they will be happy to assist with your enquiry.

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Una Morris is a leading civil liberties, human rights and public law practitioner with a diverse practice including civil claims for damages, inquests and inquiries and judicial review. Una co-convenes the Civil Liberties Team. She is Public Access qualified.

Una’s significant expertise extends across a range of different areas, including claims against the police and public authorities, inquests, inquiries, public law, abuse claims, data and privacy, protest rights, youth justice and child rights, prisoners’ rights and discrimination.

Claims Against the Police and Public Authorities

Una has wide-ranging experience in advising and representing claimants in civil claims for damages. She has expertise across the full spectrum of torts, claims under the Human Rights Act 1998 and breaches of other statutory duties. Una has a substantial paperwork practice, regularly negotiates or advises on settlements on behalf of claimants and she has appeared for claimants in cases tried by judge alone, in civil jury trials and in a number of appeals. Her experience in this area includes claims against the police, claims against other detaining authorities, including prisons and immigration authorities, claims involving probation, claims against local authorities, claims involving healthcare and other state bodies. For example, Una was instructed for the claimant in Crook v Chief Constable of Essex Police [2015] EWHC 988 (QB), in which the claimant succeeded in establishing breach of confidence, breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 and breach of Article 8 ECHR and was awarded damages of over £67,000 in connection with a ‘most wanted’ press release. In Gerber v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2018] EWHC 3549 (QB), Una represented the claimant at trial and on appeal in a false imprisonment and assault and battery claim which involved the deployment of firearms officers, reasonable grounds to suspect and racial bias. In TPKN v Ministry of Defence [2019] EWHC 1488 (QB), Una represented the claimant in successfully appealing a decision to grant summary judgment and strike out to the defendant. The appeal concerned the application of principles of vicarious liability to the claimant’s case that she was raped by a soldier on a base in Gibraltar and consideration of whether the conduct as alleged could constitute misfeasance in public office, as well as assault and battery.

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Inquests and Inquiries

Una has considerable experience of acting for bereaved families at all stages of inquest proceedings, including in concurrent and post-inquest civil claims and related judicial reviews. Una has represented bereaved families in inquests involving police restraint and other uses of force, including police shootings, deaths following or during police contact and deaths in prison custody, in immigration detention and involving psychiatric detention. Una has also been instructed for families in inquests involving deaths where a person should have been protected and cared for in the community. She has represented families in a number of homicide cases in which a person convicted was on licence and subject to the supervision of probation at the time of the killing. Una has been involved in inquests involving highly complex medical and scientific evidence, as well as those involving deaths abroad. Una has been instructed in a number of high profile inquests, typically where Article 2 ECHR is engaged, including Arsema Dawit, a girl who was killed by a man who had assaulted her, harassed her and threatened to kill her; Rubel Ahmed, who died in immigration detention; Dean Joseph, who was shot and killed by a firearms officer of the Metropolitan Police Service; Terry Smith, who died following excessive restraint by Surrey Police officers; the first inquest into the death of Dexter Bristol, a Windrush Migrant who died whilst experiencing the impact of the Hostile Environment; and Nuno Cardoso, a student, who died following uses of force by Thames Valley Police.

Una also acts for core participants and others involved in public inquiries concerning a range of issues. Una is currently instructed for a number of core participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry and for a number of core participants in the Brook House Inquiry.

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Public Law

Una is an experienced public law practitioner, whose judicial reviews typically involve complex civil liberties and human rights issues. Una is often instructed to advise in public law cases from the pre-action stage onwards. Una’s cases in this area have included a range of issues such as police complaints, criminal investigation and prosecutorial decisions, decisions of coroners and decisions involving prisons and probation. For example, Una appeared in R (Birks) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2014] EWHC 3041 (Admin); [2014] ICR 204 and in R (Hewson) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2018] EWHC 471 (Admin), [2018] 4 WLR 69. Una was instructed for Sentina D’Artanyan-Bristol, the mother of Dexter Bristol, a Windrush migrant who died whilst experiencing the impact of the Hostile Environment, in successfully seeking to have the conclusion of the first inquest into his death quashed.

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Abuse Claims

Una has significant experience in acting for claimants, primarily in claims against public authorities, in cases involving abuse. Her work includes advising and representing claimants in cases involving rape and other sexual assaults, sexual exploitation and grooming, harassment and stalking, domestic abuse and coercive control. Una is also experienced in cases involving failures to protect, investigate or prosecute in such matters, utilising Articles 3 and/or 8 ECHR. Una’s work in this area extends to both private law and public law claims. For example, Una represented the family of Arsema Dawit, a girl who was killed by a man who had assaulted her, harassed her and threatened to kill her, in civil claims against the police arising from her death. In TPKN v Ministry of Defence [2019] EWHC 1488 (QB), Una represented the claimant in successfully appealing a decision to grant summary judgment and strike out to the defendant. The appeal concerned the application of principles of vicarious liability to the claimant’s case that she was raped by a soldier on a base in Gibraltar and consideration of whether the conduct as alleged could constitute misfeasance in public office, as well as assault and battery.

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Data, Privacy and Technology

Una regularly acts for claimants in cases involving breaches of data protection legislation, Article 8 ECHR, misuse of private information and breach of confidence. She is also experienced in claims under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and involving the tort of intentionally causing harm. Una’s work in this area includes both private law and public law matters and includes issues of publication, disclosure, storage, security and retention of data and information. Her cases have involved press releases and traditional media, social media, photographs and video footage, sexual and other intimate images, criminal convictions, intelligence and information, healthcare and other sensitive records and biometric data. Una’s cases in this area include Crook v Chief Constable of Essex Police [2015] EWHC 988 (QB), in which the claimant succeeded in establishing breach of confidence, breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 and breach of Article 8 ECHR and was awarded damages of over £67,000 in connection with a ‘most wanted’ press release and R (Hewson) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2018] EWHC 471 (Admin), [2018] 4 WLR 69, a judicial review concerning Articles 8 and 10 ECHR.

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Protest Rights

Una advises and represents claimants in a number of cases involving freedom of expression, including protests and other campaigning. For example, Una advised and represented a claimant in a claim involving photojournalism and Article 10 ECHR, advised in a claim involving music and Article 10 ECHR and has advised in relation to a number of claims against the police arising out of arrests and uses of force at protests. Una is currently instructed for a number of core participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

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Youth Justice & Child Rights

Una is regularly instructed to advise and represent children in the areas in which she has expertise. For example, Una has represented children and young people in various claims against the police and other public authorities, including post-inquest civil claims following the death of a parent or other family member. Una is experienced in advising in relation to and appearing at infant approval hearings following settlement on behalf of a child. She has also represented families in inquests involving the death of a minor.

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Prisoners’ Rights

Una is experienced in acting for prisoners and former prisoners, in a range of different cases engaging their rights. Una advises and represents claimants in relation to issues such as assault and battery, abuse, failures to protect, data and privacy, strip searches, the use of segregation and prison conditions. Una also has significant expertise in representing the families of prisoners who have died in custody.

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Discrimination

Una is regularly instructed in cases involving issues of discrimination, in its various forms and against various protected characteristics, and has experience of pursuing claims under the Equality Act 2010, for breach of Article 14 ECHR and other cases in which discrimination and inequality is a feature, whether civil claims, inquests, inquiries or judicial review.

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What Others Say

"Una is a superb advocate, and her written work is well researched, argued and eloquent. She is one of the most experienced, hard-working and committed barristers in the area. She is approachable, and provides detailed advice and representation on a range of matters concerning police misconduct." Chambers UK, 2024 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

"An all-round excellent barrister. Una is a highly intelligent and able junior; her written work and legal analysis are impressive and I find her incredibly reassuring to have on my cases. She is a fearless advocate." Chambers UK, 2024 (Inquests & Public Inquiries)

"She works strategically and with real insight, and she is across all parts of the case. Her judgement on how a case will play out, and how to get the client what they want (or need), is excellent. She is client-driven and never ego-driven. She excels in all aspects." Chambers UK, 2024 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

“Una is absolutely brilliant. Her advocacy is exceptional. She is always really well-prepared and she is quick on her feet. She is tenacious and determined, even in the most difficult of cases.” Legal 500, 2024 (Police Law (Claimant))

“Una is always very well prepared, brilliant on her feet, and able to think quickly and creatively.” Legal 500, 2024 (Inquests and Inquiries)

"Una is a go-to junior counsel on police action matters, particularly in relation to restraint inquests and civil claims." "She is proactive and helpful, good with clients, and a very good advocate who will fight hard for her clients.” Chambers UK, 2023 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

"Her analysis and written work are first-class. She is very easy to work with and she doesn't give up." "She is very strong in her drafting and strategy. She has great attention to detail and produces strong advocacy.” Chambers UK, 2023 (Inquests & Public Inquiries)

"An outstanding junior." "She inspires confidence in her clients.” Chambers UK, 2023 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

‘Una’s tactical judgement is outstanding and one of her most impressive qualities. Coupled with the clarity of her refreshingly candid, yet nuanced, approach to advising, this makes her a formidable counsel – highly skilled and knowledgeable." Legal 500 2023 (Inquests and Inquiries)

‘Una is fiercely intelligent, is able to think creatively and has excellent drafting.’  Legal 500 2023 (Police Law (Claimant))

‘Very approachable, thoughtful, and good at lateral thinking.’  Legal 500 2023 (Administrative Law and Human Rights)

"Una is truly exceptional. She is unbelievably intelligent, and her drafting is excellent, as is her attention to detail." Legal 500, 2022 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

"Dedicated advocate who provides comprehensive advice, grasping the issues and fighting for results for her clients."  Legal 500, 2022 (Inquests and Inquiries)

"Her drafting is excellent." "Clients really like her and she is very sympathetic." "She is an outstanding barrister who is thorough, immensely talented and fearless." Chambers UK, 2022 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

"She is fantastic on her feet." "Una is an outstanding junior; she is thorough, immensely talented and fearless." Chambers UK, 2022 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

"She is a calm and extremely effective advocate. She is committed to her clients, passionate and always selects the good points to focus on." Chambers UK, 2022 (Inquests & Public Inquiries)

“Exceptional”. "Combines sharp tactical analysis with a down-to-earth, hands-on approach. Una has a wealth of experience litigating against the police, which makes her a welcome and reassuring presence on any such case." Legal 500, 2021 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

"My top junior in this area, particularly in relation to restraint-related inquests and any claims against the police. Her cross-examination of witnesses is excellent." Legal 500, 2021 (Inquests & Inquiries)

"She's extremely bright, approachable and completely engages with her cases.” "She is great in negotiations, fearless both on paper and on her feet. Her work is very detailed and she always has the goal in sight." Chambers UK, 2021 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

"She's a tenacious advocate who's also good on paper." "She's got good knowledge of litigation procedure and clients always feel impressed and assured by her." Chambers UK, 2021 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

"Brave and prepared to take on difficult cases. Punches above her weight." Legal 500, 2020 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

"Her judgement is very good and way beyond her level of experience. She's also a very good cross-examiner and knows when, and when not, to push a point." Chambers UK, 2020 (Civil Liberties & Human Rights)

"Families really like her and she works really well with them. She is very personable, and an excellent advocate who gets to the grips with issues very quickly and gets very good results for her clients." Chambers UK, 2020 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

“Very approachable, excellent in negotiations and innovative in tackling challenges.” “She holds her own in cases where you would normally instruct a more senior barrister.” Chambers UK, 2019 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

"She is super-thorough and proactive, and has good attention to detail…She is an outstanding junior: thorough, immensely talented and fearless.” Chambers UK, 2018 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

"A no-holds-barred cross-examiner, who is fearless…She has excellent attention to detail and great technical knowledge…She is tenacious and a real fighter." Chambers UK, 2017 (Police Law: Mainly Claimant)

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Notable Cases & News

UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3 public hearings open

Several Garden Court Barristers represent core participants at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in Module 3.

9 September 2024

Garden Court barristers recognised on Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales

We are delighted to announce that Garden Court barristers have been listed on the Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales.

17 June 2024

New JUSTICE report finds current government contracting fails to protect the rights of individual service users

A new report, 'Beyond the Blame Game' by JUSTICE, outlines a responsible and rights-centred approach to government contracting. Our Connor Johnston and Una Morris assisted in consulting on this report project.

11 June 2024

Peter Wilcock KC, Leslie Thomas KC, and Kirsten Heaven question Professor Sir Chris Witty at UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Peter Wilcock KC, Leslie Thomas KC, and Kirsten Heaven question Professor Sir Chris Witty at UK Covid-19 Inquiry

22 November 2023

UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 Continues - Opening statement on behalf of Core Participants

Several Garden Court Barristers are representing core participants at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

4 October 2023

UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 - Opening statement on behalf of Core Participants

Several Garden Court Barristers are representing core participants at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

3 October 2023

Dangerous use of force, failure of safeguards and culture of dehumanisation - Brook House Inquiry report finds 19 instances of inhumane or degrading treatment

Stephanie Harrison KC leading Louise Hooper, Gordon Lee, Kirsten Heaven, Una Morris, and Alex Schymyck, of the Garden Court Chambers Inquests and Inquiries Team represented former detainees, instructed by Hamish Arnott of Bhatt Murphy.

19 September 2023

UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 4 preliminary hearings open

Today marks the start of public preliminary hearings for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 4: Vaccines and therapeutics.

13 September 2023

Garden Court Chambers shortlisted in seven categories at Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023

We are delighted to announce that Garden Court Chambers has been shortlisted in seven categories at The Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023.

11 September 2023

"The end did not justify the means" - Undercover Policing Inquiry Interim Report Released by Inquiry Chair Sir John Mitting

Garden Court Chambers counsel, of the Inquests & Inquiries Team, are instructed in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

29 June 2023

Joe Pooley’s life and tragic death featured in Netflix documentary series ‘When Missing Turns to Murder’ released today

Joe's mother Sam Nicholls was represented in the inquest by Una Morris, leading Danielle Manson, of the Garden Court Inquests & Inquiries Team, instructed by Sarah Flanagan from Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.

14 June 2023

UK Covid-19 Inquiry first substantive hearing underway - Garden Court counsel instructed

Numerous Garden Court Chambers counsel, of the Garden Court Inquests & Inquiries Team, are instructed in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

13 June 2023

Garden Court Chambers Brook House Inquiry Team jointly wins Highly Commended Halsbury Rule of Law Award at LexisNexis Legal Awards 2023

We are delighted to announce that the Garden Court Chambers Brook House Inquiry Team has jointly won 'Highly Commended' for the Halsbury Rule of Law Award at the Lexis Nexis UK 2023 Awards.

24 March 2023

Brook House Inquiry into mistreatment and abuse in immigration detention recognised in shortlist for Halsbury Rule of Law Award at LexisNexis Legal Awards 2023

Members of the Garden Court Chambers Inquiries Team jointly shortlisted for the Halsbury Rule of Law Award at LexisNexis Legal Awards 2023 for their vital work on the Brook House Inquiry.

23 March 2023

UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 3 - Opening statement on behalf of Core Participants

Members of the Garden Court Inquests & Inquiries Team delivered opening statements on behalf of Core Participants.

28 February 2023

Police force settle civil claim following allegations of rape and coercive control made against an Inspector

Una Morris of Garden Court Chambers acted for 'S', instructed by Sophie Naftalin of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors.

6 February 2023

Garden Court Chambers Brook House Inquiry Team jointly shortlisted for Halsbury Rule of Law Award at Lexis Nexis 2023 Awards

We are delighted to announce the Brook House Inquiry Team at Garden Court Chambers has been shortlisted for the Halsbury Rule of Law Award at the Lexis Nexis UK 2023 Awards.

24 January 2023

Inquest Jury finds HMP Bullingdon failed Chegory McCarty on numerous occasions

Chegory’s family are represented by Una Morris of Garden Court Chambers, instructed by Irène Nembhard, Rebecca Pelekanou and Marte Lund of Birnberg Peirce.

14 October 2022

The Macpherson Report more than 20 years on - Home Affairs Committee calls for urgent action to tackle deep rooted racial disparities in policing

Professor Leslie Thomas QC, Una Morris and Michael Etienne provided evidence to the committee through the Police Action Lawyers Group.

30 July 2021

Inquest to Resume into Death of Joe Pooley Following Life Imprisonment for His Killers

Joe's mother, Sam Nicholls, is represented in calling for an inquest by Una Morris, assisted by Danielle Manson, both of the Garden Court Chambers Civil Liberties and Human Rights Team, instructed by Sarah Flanagan, from Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.

4 June 2021

Joe Pooley’s murderers sentenced for the death of the vulnerable 22-year-old

Joe's mother, Sam Nicholls, is represented in calling for an inquest by Una Morris, assisted by Danielle Manson, instructed by Sarah Flanagan, from Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.

25 May 2021

Undercover Policing Inquiry - Garden Court counsel instructed

Garden Court Chambers counsel instructed to represent clients at the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

18 February 2021

Undercover Policing Inquiry - Rajiv Menon QC opening statement

Rajiv Menon QC is instructed by Richard Parry of Saunders Law & Jane Deighton of Deighton Pierce Glynn.

4 November 2020

JUSTICE launches timely report on urgent reform for major inquests and inquiries

The organisation Justice launched their latest much anticipated Working Party publication:‘When things go wrong: the response of the justice system’. The Working Party included a number of retired High Court Judges and leading practitioners in the field a

25 August 2020

Garden Court barristers appointed to advise JUSTICE on reform of institutional responses to deaths or other serious incidents

Leslie Thomas QC, Thalia Maragh and Una Morris of the Garden Court Inquests and Public Inquiries Team have been appointed to the JUSTICE Working Party, 'When Things Go Wrong'.

7 August 2019

Ministry of Defence can be vicariously liable for rape committed on base

Una Morris and Camila Zapata Besso successfully acted for the Claimant in TPKN v Ministry of Defence [2019]. Read about the legal implications of the recent judgment.

26 July 2019

Joanne Cecil wins Legal Aid Barrister of the Year and Una Morris wins Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year at 2019 LALY Awards

Garden Court Chambers is delighted to announce that two of our barristers won awards at the seventeenth annual Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.

11 July 2019

Joanne Cecil and Una Morris shortlisted for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2019

Garden Court is delighted to announce that Joanne Cecil and Una Morris of Garden Court Chambers have both been shortlisted for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2019 (LALYs).

23 May 2019

Sonali Naik QC and Una Morris shortlisted at the UK Diversity Legal Awards 2018

We are delighted to announce that Sonali Naik QC and Una Morris have both been shortlisted at the UK Diversity Legal Awards 2018.

21 September 2018

'Licensed to Kill' - Granada Reports exclusive on those killed by offenders under the supervision of the probation service

Una Morris instructed by Kelly Darlington at Farleys LLP to act for Michael Hoolickin and Matthew McKenzie's families.

10 September 2018

Inquest into death of Windrush citizen Dexter Bristol concluded after family walk out of hearing

Una Morris represented the family, instructed by Irène Nembhard of Birnberg Peirce. 

28 August 2018

Inquest into the death of Terry Smith concludes neglect contributed to death involving excessive restraint by Surrey Police

Una Morris and Leslie Thomas QC representing the family instructed by Nia Williams of Saunders Law.

5 July 2018

All related news

Background

Una brings to her practice knowledge, experience and expertise gained in her previous career in the voluntary and community sector.

For several years, Una worked at Stop Hate UK, a national charity that provides support to people affected by hate crime and discrimination. She spoke at many conferences and events across the country, appearing in print and on local and national radio and television on behalf of the organisation.

Una also worked with a group of women in Leeds to establish the rape crisis service, Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds, a charity set up to support women and girls in Leeds who have been affected by rape and sexual violence at any time in their lives.

Una completed pupillage at Garden Court Chambers under the supervision of Leslie Thomas QC and Ali Bajwa QC. During pupillage, Una worked on the Mark Duggan Inquest and related proceedings, responding to the judicial review by E7 arising out of the finding of unlawful killing in the Azelle Rodney Inquiry and as a researcher for teams representing families in the Hillsborough Inquests. Una became a tenant in 2014.

Awards

CPE/GDL Award, Gray's Inn
Bedingfield Scholarship, Gray's Inn
Ann Felicity Goddard Scholarship, Gray's Inns 
Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year, LALY Awards 2019

Education

  • BA (Hons) Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of Leeds
  • GDL, BPP Leeds
  • BPTC, BPP Leeds

Professional Membership

  • Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA)
  • INQUEST Lawyers Group (ILG)
  • Police Action Lawyers Group (PALG)

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

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