Episode 79: Do Right and Fear No One: Interview with Leslie Thomas KC

In this episode Sarah meets Leslie Thomas KC with Garden Court Chambers and Professor of Law at Gresham College.

We discuss some of Leslie’s impressive portfolio of work as a barrister taking on the state on behalf of his clients through inquests and public inquiries representing many bereaved families as a result of police brutality and deaths in custody.

Leslie has expertise across a wide range of civil wrongs, civil litigation and human rights and has worked on the Hillsborough Inquiry, Covid-19 Inquiry as well as representing residents and bereaved family members of the Grenfell Tower fire.  Do Right and Fear No One – A life Dedicated to Fighting for Justice is the title of Leslie’s thoughtful and fascinating book detailing his career and the challenges he faced as a black lawyer starting off his career in 1980’s London.  We have recommended this book as part of our Activist Lawyer Book Club.

 

Leslie is a leading expert in claims against the police and other public authorities, and claims against corporate bodies, with expertise across the full spectrums of civil wrongs, civil litigation, human rights, data and privacy claims.

He is an expert in all aspects of inquests and public inquiries, having represented many bereaved families, in particular where there has been abuse of state or corporate power.

Leslie acts for claimants in judicial review proceedings and other public law proceedings. He regularly acts for clients in the Caribbean region on constitutional law challenges. He has represented claimants in clinical negligence and personal injury claims for the last 20 years. Leslie is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners and Tier 1 in Legal 500 for Inquests & Public Inquiries and Police Law (Claimant). He is also ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 in Civil Liberties & Human Rights.

Leslie is currently Professor of Law at Gresham College delivering his lecture series

Hard Choices: The Law's Struggle with Ethical Dilemmas