Who? Sohini Mehta, a solicitor in the police law team at Bhatt Murphy, London. 

Sohini Mehta

Why is she in the news? Represented Navern De La Kruz, a black man then aged 31, who was opening the gate of his home to a friend when he was handcuffed and detained for a search after officers wrongly claimed he fitted the description of a knife crime suspect. The firm announced that the Metropolitan Police has agreed to pay him £10,000 damages.

Thoughts on the case: ‘Navern’s case is a powerful example of the disproportionate use of stop and search on black people. While unfortunately it is not an isolated case, I think the stark fact of Navern being detained and handcuffed in his own garden exemplifies the overreaching nature of this kind of policing.

‘It also points to the difficulties encountered when seeking answers and accountability from the police. Two years have passed since the incident and, despite paying him damages, the police have refused to apologise to Navern.’

The Metropolitan Police declined to comment.

Dealing with the media: ‘The absence of any acknowledgement of wrongdoing on the part of the Metropolitan Police was out of keeping with the strong public response to Navern’s story. In this way, the media helped highlight the impact such incidents have on confidence in policing. Navern wanted to send a message to young black people via the media that they can use the law to hold the police to account.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘I wanted to use the law to effect change. I feel privileged to work with clients who are seeking accountability from the police and the state in often very difficult circumstances.’

Career high:  ‘With funding from The Legal Education Foundation, I created a database for domestic homicides preceded by police contact. This forms part of wider calls to improve the policing response to domestic abuse and prevent future deaths. I was thrilled that this research contributed to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner establishing a national oversight mechanism to learn from previous reviews into domestic homicides.’

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