Paul Burns and Nicholas Walker appointed Chairs of Police Misconduct Hearings

December 11, 2015

Exchange Chambers barristers Paul Burns and Nicholas Walker have been appointed Chairs of Police Misconduct Hearings.

Police misconduct hearings form an important part of the disciplinary rules governing the police. Following a public consultation led by the Home Secretary in autumn 2014 changes are due to come into force in January 2016 whereby police misconduct hearings will sit in public with legally qualified Chairs in the interests of promoting transparency, independence and justice.

After a competitive application and interview process the Police & Crime Commissioners for the North West (Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside) have announced that Paul Burns and Nicholas Walker of Exchange Chambers will be two of twenty legally qualified Chairs appointed from January 2016 in the North West. It is anticipated that each Chair will deal with eight to ten misconduct hearings per year.

Paul has significant experience of regulatory and disciplinary proceedings alongside his extensive knowledge of policy and governance issues.

Nicholas brings over twenty years’ experience of prosecuting and defending serious criminal cases alongside his police practice.

Commenting on the appointments Tom Handley, Director of Chambers, said “We are delighted for both members of Chambers. Paul and Nicholas are experienced barristers with excellent judgement – skills that ideally qualify them for this new role.”