I am told by those who have stirred the cauldron of the legal profession and have the craft skills and knowledge that this is completely within my ability. While the legal world, courts and even much of the language looks completely foreign to me.
I have read a few books on suing the police, and while following legal books in relation to criminal law is not that difficult, in relation to civil law and damages, its very much like visiting another planet.
Which is in part the reason behind creating this web site, to try to tell you in English, that makes sense to everyone what I actually have to do, how to find out what damages I should sue for and where liability exists.
Clearly this is not going to be easy by any means, and should you choose to handle an action yourself you too are going to come across some problems. Hopefully I can give you sufficient information so that you will know where to look.
The other alternative is to use a solicitor. This as first may appear attractive, let someone else do the work who has the skills. However it brings up more questions like how are you going to pay for it, has the solicitor got the time your case will need, and does it present the solicitor with a problem where he cannot be too hard on your behalf and still expect day to day co-operation with the police, if he is getting any now.
Should you use a solicitor from another area, but if you do, will you end up with agency solicitors who don't understand what is going on at some hearings.
Solicitors are like medical GP's, most have a wide knowledge, but do they have the in depth knowledge of suing the police, or are the police, who have people who do nothing but avoid claims, going to be able to outmaneuver them, unless they have days available to read up on all aspects, past cases etc. As you move forward, a solicitor is in most cases going to expect to use a barrister to handle the court appearances and to advice on legal points. So are you going to brief the barrister or is the solicitor going to get information from you to brief them on your behalf.
The decision as to look at a DIY or solicitor approach will come down to you, your ability, confidence and possibly you health and wealth.
I would suggest you read through this site and read the following two books before making up your mind, neither of the books are very thick. The links take you to Amazon information, so you can see other details and order a copy should you wish.
Suing the Police by Chaman Salham and Henry Spooner PB approximately 150 pages ISBN 1901657868 (May 1999) £22.50. This book is written to suit the student, police victim or solicitor, and should be the first book to read. This does not have all the legal tables and technicalities of the book below, but does explain things in a more victim friendly manner. If you have a partner this is also the book you should suggest they read so they can understand what is going on.
Police Actions a practical guide by Richard Clayton and Hugh Tomlinson PB 200 pages £19.99 ISBN 047196865x Currently out of print. This book is the practical guide explaining what to do, it is principally written for solicitors, and is very readable and easy to follow. It has quite a few tables of cases and the like which can be off putting when you first pick it up, but if you have read the book above then, this should not present to many difficulties.
I am researching some links for second hand book suppliers that may offer another route to getting these. So check the bookcase pages for this.
The next document in this section looks at how to fund an action, should you choose to use a solicitor, and at costs generally.