We are happy to report that our clients Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine, have settled a claim against Hertfordshire Constabulary arising from their unlawful arrest and detention earlier this year. They are to receive a £20,000 pay out from Hertfordshire Police, the offer, said to be significantly above what was required by the case-law.
Our clients attracted national press attention when they were arrested last year on suspicion of harassment, malicious communications, and causing a nuisance on school property. Allegations which arose after they had made enquiries about the recruitment process for a Head Teacher at their daughter’s school, and subsequently posted about the school response in a private social media group.
The arrests took place a week after the parents moved their daughter, who lives with epilepsy and is neurodivergent, to a different school. Six officers attended the family home and arrested both parents in front of one of their children.
The Constabulary has now accepted that the legal criteria for the arrest were not met and have also accepted that the arrests were in violation of Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Police’s acceptance of liability has been widely covered in the BBC, on Radio 4, The Guardian, The Independent, The Telegraph, The Times (including an editorial), and elsewhere.
The Free Speech Union instructed Luke Gittos, alongside Cian Murphy of Doughty Street Chambers, to prepare pre-action letters on their behalf.
Murray Hughman are proud of the work we do with the Free Speech Union in holding the police to account. Luke Gittos, who led the case said ‘the treatment of Maxie and Rosalind was a disgrace and we are glad they have been vindicated’
If you are subject to violations of your right to free speech, then reach out to the Free Speech Union or our offices.
