Anna is an incisive, compassionate and humane lawyer. She matches high intellectual ability with strength of conviction, and real understanding of a client's trauma.
Anna Morris KC specialises in inquests and inquiries, civil liberties and human rights and private and public law claims involving public authorities. Anna is recognised as a New Silk by Chambers and Partners, and as a Tier 1 (2023 Silk) by The Legal 500. Anna acts for bereaved families and claimants in private and public law proceedings.
Anna is frequently instructed in high profile and complex public inquiries and inquests and is currently instructed as leading counsel in the Covid 19 Public Inquiry in 3 Modules of the Inquiry, by Covid Bereaved Families for Justice (Modules 2,5 and 6) and by a large number of individuals impacted by the C19 vaccine in Module 4. Anna is also leading counsel acting for INQUEST who are core participants in The Lampard Inquiry into the deaths of inpatients within mental health hospitals in Essex. Anna has been appointed the North Manchester Coroner as Counsel to the Inquest into the death of a child within the family home.
Anna is frequently instructed in high profile and complex public inquiries and inquests and is currently instructed as leading counsel in the Covid 19 Public Inquiry in 3 Modules of the Inquiry, by Covid Bereaved Families for Justice (Modules 2,5 and 6) and by a large number of individuals impacted by the C19 vaccine in Module 4. Anna is also leading counsel acting for INQUEST who are core participants in The Lampard Inquiry into the deaths of inpatients within mental health hospitals in Essex.
As a junior, Anna represented several bereaved families in the Manchester Arena Inquiry. Anna also represented 14 families who lost loved ones at the historic Inquests into the Hillsborough Stadium disaster.
Anna’s inquest practice specialises in complex inquests that engage Article 2 ECHR. A natural jury advocate with extensive experience developed within the criminal and civil courts, Anna frequently represents families in complex multi-agency inquests. These include prison and police related deaths and deaths involving restraint. She has particular expertise in inquests that involve those suffering complex mental health issues, both in state detention, detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 and in the community. Anna has a particular interest in inquests and those involving the deaths of women following their experience of domestic abuse or where the deceased was vulnerable or had complex needs.
Anna also provides specialist advice to families before and after the inquest process in respect of civil claims in damages. She is also experienced in Judicial Review proceedings arising from the inquest process..
Anna, alongside Pete Weatherby KC gave evidence to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights about Hillsborough Law, the Duty of Candour and legal aid funding (equality of arms) for all families in inquests where the state is involved.
In response to a question from Joanna Cherry MP, Anna explains the importance of legal representation for bereaved families at inquests in relation to the prevention of future deaths and the identification of systemic failings within public bodies.
Anna and Pete explain how a Duty of Candour could reduce length and cost of major public inquiries, increase public safety and prevent future deaths.
Responding to an important question from Joanna Cherry, Pete Weatherby KC explains to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights how the “backstop” of a criminal offence attached to serious non-disclosure would help enforce a Duty of Candour.
Anna specialises in advising and representing Claimants in both civil claims for damages and public law remedies. Anna is recognised as Tier 1 (2023 silks) by The Legal 500 and New Silks in Chambers and Partners in Civil Liberties and Human Rights.
Anna is the Human Rights Editor of Stones’ Justices’ Manual (Lexis Nexis) and the Author of “The Protest Handbook” (2nd Ed 2020) (Bloomsbury Professional).
Anna has a particular interest in claims against public authorities on behalf of children and vulnerable adults, including those with mental health issues. Anna works with a number of groups who are survivors of child sexual exploitation and is developing expertise in litigation in this area.
Anna advises in claims under the Human Rights Act against police forces for their failure to investigate allegations of serious offences or handle sensitive data appropriately in breach of Article 2, 3 and 8 ECHR.
Anna also specialises in claims against the police and public authorities arising from political demonstrations and incursions on the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, violations of Articles 8, 10 and 11 ECHR.
Anna is recognised as one of the leading claimant barristers in the area of police law, and she is ranked as a New Silk in Chambers and Partners. She has particular expertise in claims arising out of protests and demonstrations, and in claims that involve police contact with vulnerable adults and children. Her parallel expertise in inquests that arise following deaths in police or state custody means that she also frequently advises on civil claims under Article 2 ECHR, the right to life.
Anna has a particular interest in claims against public authorities on behalf of children and vulnerable adults, including those with mental health issues.
Anna also advises legal and campaigning organisations on topics such as mental health and policing and the accountability of police for investigating allegations of child sexual abuse.
Anna began her career at the bar as a criminal defence practitioner and is an experienced Crown Court and Court of Appeal advocate who has represented defendants accused of terrorism, serious drugs importation, multi-million-pound fraud and other serious offences. Anna brings her breadth of knowledge across the civil and public law fields to legal arguments around disclosure, abuse of process and admissibility of evidence.
Anna has a strong reputation for successfully defending protesters accused of committing offences during demonstrations. With her expertise in protest law across the criminal and civil fields, Anna has been involved in a number of significant areas of litigation around political protest and is the co- author of “The Protest Handbook” (2nd Edition 2020) (Bloomsbury Professional).
Anna holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and Human Rights from the University of Nottingham.
Anna has worked as an investigator in Southeast Asia for Reprieve, and worked in both the Philippines and Laos on death penalty investigations before coming to the Bar.
Anna has advised and delivered training on behalf of several international organisations including the UN, the OSCE and Amnesty International.
Anna continues to work with and advise international human rights defenders’ networks. Anna has a particular interest in advocating for the rights of women and girls, particular those that have been subject to sexual abuse or domestic abuse.
Anna holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law and Human Rights from the University of Nottingham. After graduation, Anna worked as a caseworker in a Legal Aid firm in Nottingham, before deciding to become a barrister. Anna was research assistant to Sir Keir Starmer KC when he was in practice at Doughty Street Chambers.
Anna has worked as an investigator in Southeast Asia for Reprieve, and worked in both the Philippines and Laos on death penalty investigations before coming to the Bar.
In 2012/2013 Anna was an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London and convened the Criminal Justice Process module on the BSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Books
Evidence to Parliamentary Committees
Anna has written for Westlaw, Lexis Nexis Updates and Inquest Lawyers Magazine, and The Guardian.
Anna regularly provides training to solicitors and other barristers on Coronial law and litigation under the Human Rights Act. These include the Legal Action Group and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. In 2024 Anna Chaired the Garden Court North Event “Middleton – 20 Years On “[ Link to website piece on Middleton]
Anna has advised and delivered training on behalf of a number of International organisations including the UN, OSCE, Reprieve and Amnesty International.
Anna’s Privacy Notice may be viewed by clicking here.
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