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England and Wales decisions
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The High Court dismissed claims arising from a police encounter with an armed, agitated man, holding the officers’ use of force, arrest process, and pre-handcuffing conduct were lawful.
Watson v Chief Constable of Humberside Police [2025] EWHC 2544 (KB) (07 October 2025)
The High Court allowed an appeal in part, setting aside the dismissal of assault, battery and false imprisonment claims, but leaving malicious prosecution dismissed.
Amadu-Abdullah v The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2024] EWHC 3162 (KB) (06 December 2024)
High Court claim arising from police Taser use on a 14-year-old succeeded, with the Court finding the force unlawful and awarding damages.
The Recorder was correct to withdraw the issue of the ankle grab from the jury as there was no evidential conflict; the force used by the officer was reasonable in the circumstances; the continued detention at 02:23 was lawful, but the detention at 09:59 was unlawful as no reasonable officer could have justified it given the Claimant's mental health evidence. Only nominal damages were appropriate as the Claimant would have been detained under common law powers in any event.
Source excerpt
The officer's use of the Taser was not objectively reasonable or proportionate in the circumstances. There was insufficient evidence that the Claimant was chasing others or armed, insufficient warning was given, and insufficient time was allowed for compliance. The deployment was not justified under S.3 Criminal Law Act 1967 or S.117 PACE 1984, and thus constituted assault.
Source excerpt
The force used by the police officers, including the threatened and actual use of handcuffs and the taser, was objectively reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances. The claimant's behaviour justified the officers' actions, and there was no evidence of unlawful conduct or bad faith amounting to misfeasance in public office. The claimant was not fundamentally dishonest on any issue going to the heart of the claim.
Source excerpt
Clark v Chief Constable of Merseyside Police [2023] EWHC 2565 (KB) (16 October 2023)
High Court appeal over police use of force and detention in custody. The court upheld most findings, but found one later detention decision unlawful and awarded nominal damages.
Afriyie v Commissioner of Police for the City of London [2023] EWHC 1632 (KB) (30 June 2023)
The High Court held that police force used during a roadside arrest, including a taser and handcuffs, was reasonable and proportionate, and dismissed the civil claims.
Thompson v Greater Manchester Police (Rev 1) [2020] EWCA Civ 739 (22 January 2020)
The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal over police force used during an arrest at a football match, upholding findings of no assault, battery, or negligence.
The Divisional Court held that a constable who reasonably believed a suspect might reach for a weapon was acting in the execution of duty, so the assault conviction stood.
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