Exchange Chambers QC acts for Liverpool City Council on legal challenge against Merseyside Derby kick off time

February 3, 2015

Simon Medland QC, from Exchange Chambers, this morning acted for Liverpool City Council in an aborted appeal by Merseyside Police to bring the weekend’s Merseyside Derby kick off time forward to lunchtime.

Merseyside Police lost an appeal last week before the city council, who ruled that the kick off time of the derby should remain in place, and today appealed that decision before a district judge at South Sefton magistrates’ court.

The application was withdrawn during today’s court hearing after Everton agreed to increase segregation inside Goodison Park.

Police concerns centred around the fact a lot of people would be off work on a Saturday and would be likely to drink more with a later kick-off time.

Speaking in court this morning, Simon Medland QC said:

“The Council is delighted that the complaint against it has been withdrawn and is very happy with the sensible and fair resolution of this matter. The Council greatly values its working relationship with the police and looks forward to progressing these discussions with the police and with the 2 great football clubs in this City.”

Simon is an experienced barrister who was called to the Bar in 1991 by Middle Temple and took silk in 2011.