Bid to overturn ruling which stops police being sued for failings
UK lawmakers are attempting to overturn a 2025 Court of Appeal ruling that grants police immunity from civil litigation regarding investigative failings. The move follows a case where police negligence led to the disclosure of a domestic violence victim's secret address.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine whether victims of crime have legal recourse when police negligence or misconduct causes them direct harm.
Image source, Getty Images By Daniel De Simone Investigations correspondent Published 10 minutes ago Backbench MPs are seeking to roll back a court ruling they say will have "devastating consequences" for victims of crime by preventing them taking legal action against the police, even when there have been grave investigative failings.
The 2025 Court of Appeal judgment, which applies to England and Wales, held that police officers are immune from civil litigation both in their role as witnesses, and for conduct or statements they make when carrying out criminal investigations.
Conservative Andrew Mitchell and Labour's Jess Phillips have submitted an amendment to a bill being debated in Parliament next week seeking to counteract the ruling.
Separately, the judgment could also be overturned at a Supreme Court appeal this month.
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