I’m Iain Gould, a solicitor (lawyer) specialising in complaints, claims and civil actions against the Police – helping individuals pursue justice after experience of unlawful arrest, excessive force, or other forms of misconduct.
With over 30 years of experience and a national reputation, I have successfully sued all 43 police forces in England and Wales and numerous other government bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, and also private security companies challenging abuse of power and securing rightful compensation.
You can read more about me here.
Police officers are granted wide-ranging powers to protect the public. Sadly, many officers routinely abuse those powers by reason of ignorance, indifference or malice. I represent individuals who have suffered unlawful arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, or discrimination at the hands of the Police and other state agents. My role is to hold them accountable, to restore my clients’ dignity, and to make their voice heard.
Contact me here to find out if I can help with your civil actions against the police claim.
What are Actions Against the Police?
Go to this page to learn more about:
- Unlawful or Wrongful arrest
- False imprisonment
- Excessive force or assault
- Malicious prosecution
- Unlawful entry/search
- Police Misconduct
- Unlawful stop and search
- Unlawful use of Taser
- Police dog bite
- Abuse of position for sexual gain
- Police Misconduct
- Racial or sexual harassment
- Discrimination.
Police abuse of power in all its forms can cause intense psychological distress and emotional harm. This trauma often lingers long after the event, affecting a person’s mental health, self-confidence, and trust in authority.
“During what was probably one of the most challenging and stressful times in our lives, Iain provided consistent support, comprehensive guidance, encouragement and invaluable insight surrounding our case with Surrey Police.”
“After 4 and a half years of mental anguish I feel able to resume a sense of normality. I’m eternally grateful to Iain for giving me my self worth back. He has tenacity, endurance and integrity. I recommend his services to anyone who has faced a miscarriage of justice with police. I cannot thank him enough.”
How I Help Victims of Police Misconduct
I’ve helped thousands of people secure:
• substantial monetary compensation
• public vindication
• a sense of justice and restored faith in the system
• peace of mind and closure
• deletion of criminal justice/arrest records
• apologies and admissions of liability from the Chief Constable
• policing policy and practice changes.
“My son, who is a vulnerable adult with high-functioning autism, was involved in a car chase with West Midlands undercover police officers who thought he was “acting suspiciously.” This ended with them using excessive force, wrongly arresting, and detaining him.
From the outset, I felt that Iain showed compassion as well as professionalism in always having my son’s best interests in mind. His communication was clear, concise, and prompt, making my son feel supported and informed throughout the entire process. His attention to detail and commitment ensured that every aspect of the case was meticulously handled.
I would absolutely recommend Iain to anyone needing legal representation in a police case.”
Some Notable Cases
I have a proven track record in helping my clients sue the police. My clients include people like:
- Shane Price who was awarded £100,000 compensation after his unlawful arrest
- John Kennedy, who received £50,000 compensation after being the victim of a wrongful arrest and then malicious prosecution
- Bryan Alden, who recovered £358,000 compensation after he was unlawfully assaulted by a police officer using a baton
- Aaron Humphries, who received £373,000 compensation after being accidentally shot by a police officer.
Why Choose Me?
I have:
- a proven track record of successful claims against every police force in England and Wales
- the technology and systems in place to represent clients from across England and Wales
- over 30 years of specialist legal experience.
And I am:
- trusted by clients and fellow professionals alike
- respected as an authority on the subject by journalists and have been widely featured in BBC, ITV, and Channel 5 coverage of civil actions against the police
- committed to civil rights, justice, and real accountability
- able to offer access to Legal Aid and “No win, No fee” representation.
“I was given Iain’s name after the police wrongly raided my family home. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome for my family and I and it was all down to Iain. He didn’t back down until we received what he knew we all deserved.”
Ready to start your police claim? Then contact me using the online form on this page.
My purpose – Securing Justice When Police Power Is Abused
My mission is to ensure that the law protects ordinary people. I believe in holding those in authority to account, defending civil liberties, and making justice accessible to anyone who has been mistreated by the police.
Every case I take on is about much more than compensation – it’s about restoring dignity, enforcing accountability, and making real change happen. It’s also about restoring faith in the justice system, by empowering citizens and upholding the best traditions of British liberty.
“I cannot recommend Iain and his team more highly – first class advice, a thorough appraisal of the situation and the process we would face was spot on. Iain’s timely and empathetic communications throughout kept us in touch and informed, and took away any of the unease and worry we may have had in the early stages of our action against Surrey Police. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found him and would encourage anybody who believes they may have a case to get in touch with Iain and his team.”
“My teenage son was unlawfully stopped by Met officers, detained and put in handcuffs because they claimed he was acting suspiciously. Once Iain took on our case we felt at ease and believed he and his team would try their hardest to fight our corner. Thankfully, thanks to them the Met Police settled our case with a generous offer. I cannot thank Iain and his team enough, but more importantly it has shown my son that the police are not above the law and there are avenues available to make them accountable.”
Ways I Can Help
1) Legal Representation: Members Of The Public
I act for clients from all walks of life — everyone deserves justice when their rights have been violated.
If you’ve experienced police abuse, I offer expert, compassionate legal support. My team and I have helped thousands of people secure justice. You can read real case stories on my Case Reports page.
“What an absolute Legend Iain is. I was assaulted (Head butted) by a police officer in Derbyshire. From the first moment we spoke I was filled with confidence that he would do his very best for me. His vast experience reassured me that he would leave no stone unturned and he treated me with compassion, belief and respect from the off.
He battled to get me the best compensation he could and throughout the process he was always there if I needed him and made sure that I was kept in the loop every step of the way. The end result was much more than expected and I will always be grateful to Iain. A great guy with an amazing ability to do what needs to be done. Would recommend him to everyone”.
“As a retired police officer, I was very careful in my choice of representation in an action against Essex Police. My wife and I were both victims of extraordinary misconduct which caused us deep distress. We found Iain to have been the perfect choice, combining professionalism, tenacity and compassion. We were both enormously grateful for his representation and have no hesitation in recommending his services”.
Contact me here to get started with your civil actions against the police claim.
2) Legal Collaboration: Fellow Professionals
I regularly accept referrals from criminal defence solicitors. If your client has suffered at the hands of the police, I can help them to bring complaints and civil claims, seeking justice and restitution. And they won’t forget the part you played in that.
“Iain Gould is second to none when it comes to suing the State on behalf of those wronged by the Criminal Justice System.”
Aaron Watson Weinberg, The Johnson Partnership, Nottingham
Iain “is clearly one of the most accomplished lawyers in this field and I would have no hesitation in recommending him to both fellow lawyers and lay clients”.
Paul Cantrill, Albin & Co, Reading
3) Legal Resources And Insights
I regularly share blog posts that explain your legal rights, analyse real case studies and expose patterns of police misconduct, and discuss the root causes of this and what you can do if your rights have been violated by the Police.
“Iain Gould is – in my regard – the foremost ‘police actions’ lawyer in the country. He keeps a regular blog of his pursuits that should be compulsory reading for anyone considering suing the police, lawyers included.”
Rob Warner of Crimebodge/ Copperstopper
“His blog offers a fascinating and sometimes gruesome insight to the reality of policing in the UK.
As they say, ‘theory stops on the doorstep of actual’ and Iain’s blogs have enlightened me with regard to the actuality of policing in this country; it’s a long way from the fluffy theory one reads in parliamentary acts and the codes which are supposed to govern their behaviour, ethics and morality.”
→ Read now: iaingould.co.uk/blog
4) Media And Commentary
I’ve contributed to national news and documentaries on police misconduct and civil rights. If you’re a journalist, researcher, or documentary producer looking for informed commentary or real-life case context – I’m here to help.
“Very arguably, the country’s most effective police action lawyer”
Neil Wilby, newspaper publisher turned press card-carrying investigative journalist and justice campaigner
→ Enquiries: Contact Iain Gould, solicitor
FAQs
Can I sue the police?
Yes. If your legal rights were violated, a civil claim can help you seek justice, compensation, and accountability.
Do I have to file a complaint first?
No. I will advise whether you should file a complaint or proceed directly with legal action.
Is there a time limit?
Yes — which can range from as little as 6 months to as long as 6 years, depending on the type of claim. Claims can be brought after the expiry of the applicable time limit if you have a good reason for the delay (and a good lawyer to articulate those reasons) but it’s always best to seek advice as soon as possible.
What evidence do I need?
CCTV, mobile phone footage, bodycam footage, injury photos, medical records, and witness statements can all strengthen your case. But don’t worry if you haven’t got these documents/evidence to start with – I can assist you in obtaining/gathering them and I have won many cases in which the only evidence my client came to me with on day one was their own story from their own mouth.
Contact the Expert Police Misconduct Solicitor
If you’ve been wronged by the police or another authority, don’t face it alone.
Call 0151 933 5525 or fill out the secure online form.
