Graeme Rothwell

I am a Director at Duncan Lewis Solicitors and Head of the firms’ Actions Against Public Authorities department. My expertise lies in bringing civil claims against the State, with a particular focus on claims against the police, immigration detention authorities, and prisons. I also support and represent bereaved families at inquests following the death of their loved ones whilst in prison, police custody, or during their contact with mental health services. I have significant experience and expertise in cases that involve fatalities and injuries resulting from police use of firearms, service dogs, and immigration removal incidents. I am dedicated to holding public authorities accountable and ensuring justice and closure in these tragic situations.

I started my career by handling civil and commercial litigation cases. My interest in representing individuals against the State developed whilst I underwent training as a solicitor. Throughout this time, I brought several successful challenges against Local Authorities who sought to evict residents from their homes.

In 2007, after qualifying as a solicitor, I practiced in criminal defence for over a decade. During that time, I conducted thousands of direct challenges and defences against allegations and accusations made by the State against individuals. I provided representation in police station interviews, trial advocacy in the Magistrates' Courts, and contested applications for bail, as well as litigation support in the Crown Court and Appeals Court.

Whilst working with a civil liberties firm in central London, I developed a strong interest in bringing legal actions against the police and other government bodies. My experience in advocacy, combined with my interest in challenging the State, has led me to specialise primarily in this type of work. As a result, I started to represent bereaved family members in inquest proceedings.

I joined Duncan Lewis Solicitors as an associate in 2016 and quickly became a heavy presence in establishing the firm's Claims Against Public Authorities department. I was subsequently promoted to Director in 2018.

I have been, and continue to be, instructed in high profile cases that attract significant public interest and wide spread media coverage. I have represented families affected by the Grenfell Tragedy, the Windrush scandal, and the Plymouth Mass Shooting.

• Duncan Lewis Solicitors (2016-present)
• McMillan Williams Solicitors (2015-2016)
• Saunders Law (2010-2015)
• Admitted as a Solicitor (2007)
• Norrie Waite & Slater Solicitors, Sheffield (2004-2010)
• Foy's Solicitors, Doncaster (2003-2004)
• Bell & Buxton Solicitors, Sheffield (2001-2003)

• Recommended Lawyer - The Legal 500 UK, (2024)

Civil Court

Inquests

• Instructed by the Davison family in both sets of inquests arising from the mass shooting in Plymouth on 12 August 2021. Jake Davison used a shotgun to kill his mother and several others before ultimately shooting and killing himself.


• Instructed by the mother of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, a soldier who died at his barracks in unclear circumstances. Bernie had been dead for several weeks before anyone had noticed his absence and found his body.


• Instructed by the family of a man killed by a fishing trawler which collided with his fishing boat off the coast of Shoreham on Sea. I supported the family through the through the Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s investigation of the incident, the successful prosecution of Vertrouwen’s skipper, and the final inquest hearing.


• Instructed by the family of Tariq Dalton in an inquest into the Tariq’s death at HMP Thameside. I represented the family during the inquest proceedings and subsequently brought litigation under Article 2 of the ECHR against the Ministry of Justice and successfully recovered monetary compensation for the family.


• Instructed by the sister of Adrian Michaels in an inquest touching upon his death which occurred whilst he was an inmate at HMP Thameside. Adrian had taken his own life after prison authorities failed to provide him with adequate anti-psychotic medication.


• Instructed by the mother of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, a soldier who died at his barracks in unclear circumstances. Bernie had been dead for several weeks before anyone had noticed his absence and found his body.


• Instructed by the family of Tariq Dalton in an inquest into his death at HMP Thameside. Mr Dalton had been suffering from mild gastric distress during his time in prison. The healthcare department failed to make themselves aware of Mr Dalton’s medical history and therefore made errors when prescribing medication. Mr Dalton found himself in unbearable pain, however his pleas for help were largely ignored by prison officers. Mr Dalton was left to die in horrendous circumstances in his cell. Graeme represented the family in the inquest and subsequently brought litigation under Article 2 of the ECHR against the Ministry of Justice and successfully recovered monetary compensation for the family.


• Instructed by the family of Mr Lowe in the Independent Investigation into the Death of Brett Lowe, a Prisoner at HMP Nottingham

Complaints and Litigation Against State Bodies

• Instructed by the family of a 90-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s Dementia after she was handcuffed and had a so-called spit hood placed over her head, when the Metropolitan police restrained and secured her to a gurney in an ambulance.


• Instructed by Malcolm Emery and his family. Malcolm, in his eighties, suffers from dementia. Police officers entered Malcolm’s garden in the early hours of the morning and peered through his lounge window. Startled, Malcolm went out onto his street to investigate and challenge the intruders. There, he confronted and assaulted by police officers who then arrested him.


• Instructed by a family member who lost many relatives in the Grenfell Tower disaster. I assisted with making the IOPC complaint into the police response, scrutinising the actions of police both on the ground and in their decision to use police helicopters. Various recommendations were made following the investigation. The investigation uncovered the police call handlers’ failings on at the time of the inferno, and the need for operational transparency and clarity regarding the role of the National Police Air Service.


• Instructed by MB to make an IPOC complaint regarding the police use of firearms and assault. MB had been residing in a flat and had suffered a public mental health crisis. Police officers forced entry to his home, before firing several shots into his chest and abdomen, very nearly resulting in fatal injury. There was a thorough investigation by the IOPC into the strategy, command and actions of police chiefs and armed officers. The case gave a particular insight into the strategies employed by armed response units in dealing with serious incidents.


• Instructed by M in M v London Borough of Islington regarding the Local Authority’s failure to safeguard a vulnerable child. M was a survivor of historic sexual abuse while in foster care under the supervision of Islington Borough Council. A complaint was made and Graeme was instructed to bring a claim in negligence. Through negotiations and mediation an admission of liability was made, an apology was provided, and Graeme secured almost £100,000 in compensation for the client.

• Member of INQUEST
• Member of the Police Actions Lawyers Group ('PALG')
• Member of the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

• I am an outdoor enthusiast and a keen sailor. When not on, in, or around boats, I enjoy spending time with my family.

• Police Officer Sacked for Assault on Asian Father and his Autistic Son after Case Brought by Duncan Lewis (13 March 2024)
• Duncan Lewis Secures Significant Cost Judgment Victory in High Court Appeal (19 February 2024)
• Family of woman, 90, handcuffed and covered with spit hood instruct Duncan Lewis in action against police (1 June 2023)
• Police fail to investigate the crime you reported, so what next? (30 May 2023)
• Duncan Lewis instructed inquest into Keyham shooting featured in the Plymouth Herald (27 February 2023)
• “Catastrophic failings” in the gun licensing system led to the mass shooting in Plymouth, inquest jury finds (22 February 2023)
• Duncan Lewis Solicitors instructed by Davison family for Plymouth Shooting Inquest (17 January 2023)
• Taking legal action to combat police brutality (24 June 2020)
• Solicitor Graeme Rothwell becomes Director of Action Against Public Authorities department (2 April 2019)
• Police Mistreatment During Strip Search (Asian Voice) (28 November 2018)
• Pre Issued Settlement – The Case of D (22 June 2018)
• Money Laundering - The case of ‘O’ (22 June 2018)
• DBS Checks: Can I Challenge My Record? (13 March 2018)
• Police officers charged following Kingsley Burrell custody death (20 October 2016)