Philip has a growing inquest practice. His work in this area complements a public law and judicial review practice, which cuts across criminal justice, mental health and adult social care. He represents families as well as institutions and other interested parties.
Examples of Work
Appeared as junior counsel on behalf of the bereaved families of six young men who drowned at Camber Sands beach in the summer of 2016 .
Instructed as counsel (acting alone) for one of the ambulance technicians in the Inquest into the death of Kingsley Burrell in Birmingham Coroner’s Court, which lasted six weeks.
Instructed as counsel to conduct research and preparatory documentary reviews in support of the families in the Hillsborough inquest,
Instructed counsel for the family in the death of a prisoner in HMP Norwich, who died suddenly: Oct 2-4, 2013,
Instructed counsel for family in death of prisoner who suffered from mental health illness at HMP Downview: January 13-24, 2014,
Instructed counsel for inquest into the death of a Jamaican woman who was detained at Yarls Wood for removal back to her country.
Originally a barrister with a criminal law practice in Jamaica, Philip also has international human rights experience as a lawyer at the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in Washington DC, USA, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) in Geneva, Switzerland, the Human Dignity Trust (HDT) in London, and as a legal consultant for inter-governmental organisations such as UNAIDS and various NGOs in the Caribbean and Africa. Philip is a Guardian Law contributor and speaks conversational French.
Recommendations
“Philip is persuasive, and his oral advocacy is impressive.”
Chambers UK 2024
“A junior with an incisive eye for the best points in a case.” “A well-respected and trusted junior.”
Legal 500 2024
“Philip is an excellent communicator who is hard-working, thoroughly engaged and fantastic with clients.”
Chambers UK 2023
“An excellent communicator who is hardworking, thoroughly engaged and fantastic with clients. He is able to grasp complex and detailed issues, while never losing sight of the bigger picture – an invaluable skill in public inquiries.”
Legal 500 2023
“He has an impressive ability to grasp complex and detailed issues while never losing sight of the bigger picture. He is an excellent communicator, both orally and in writing.” “He is just brilliant. He’s very accessible and great with his clients.”
Chambers UK 2022
“Steady advocate with a cool head, with written work that is outstanding. He has an impressive ability to grasp complex and detailed issues while never losing sight of the bigger picture. He is hardworking, fantastic with clients, and an excellent communicator – a real joy to work with.”
Legal 500 2022
“His written advocacy is phenomenal – like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s so simple but so effective and well written.”
Chambers UK 2021
“He’s got a natural skill for written advocacy; he’s very persuasive, clear and succinct.” “He’s a hard worker and produced some of the best skeleton drafts.”
Chambers UK 2020
Awards
British Chevening Scholarship, 2000
Suffolk and North Essex Law Society (SNELS) for 1st place on the masters or Law (LL.M) 2000-01 programme, Essex University
Memberships
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
Qualifications
Bar Transfer Test (BTT), 2012
Masters of Law (LLM) in International Human Rights law (Distinction), Essex University, 2002
Legal Education Certificate (Jamaican Bar Vocational course), Norman Manley Law School, 1996
Bachelor of Laws (Honours), University of the West Indies, 1993
