Chambers is pleased to announce that Giles Pengelly has been appointed as a Legally Qualified Chair of the Police Misconduct Panels for the South Eastern Region.

Giles was Called to the Bar in 2017 and joined Chambers in 2020.

The Police Misconduct Panels hear allegations of gross misconduct made against police officers in cases that are brought by force professional standards departments or by The Independent Office for Police Conduct (“IOPC”).

The South Eastern region includes the Thames Valley, Surrey, Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire police force areas.

The role is due to be fundamentally reformed in 2024 but the Panels will continue to sit with Legally Qualified Members; the current Chairs will transition into Members as cases start to be heard under the new procedure.

Mark Heywood KC, Head of the Criminal Group, said,

“Chambers is delighted to congratulate Giles on his appointment. Recent cases in the media concerning police officers’ conduct in the execution of their duties have rightly highlighted the level of public interest in the upkeep of the highest professional standards by the police, and their good governance. We wish Giles well as he takes on this important role.”

Giles will continue to practise in Chambers, in addition to this new commitment.