A woman ‘convicted behind closed doors’ under the controversial Single Justice Procedure for breaching Covid regulations after attending a vigil for murder victim Sarah Everard last year plans to sue the Metropolitan Police, a human rights firm has confirmed.

Bindmans announced it has formally notified the Metropolitan Police Service of Dania Al-Obeid’s intention to pursue claims that the force breached her article 10 (freedom of expression) and 11 (freedom of assembly) rights under the Human Rights Act when it decided to arrest, detain and charge her.

The firm said Al-Obeid was convicted under the Single Justice Procedure for breaching the Health Protections (Coronavirus Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 by attending the vigil. She did not know she had a criminal record until she was contacted by the media. After arguing that she had not been given the chance to plead not guilty, a trial was due to be held this year where she would try to overturn her conviction.

The Crown Prosecution Service, which took over prosecution proceedings from the Metropolitan Police, confirmed this week that it was discontinuing the case because its legal test for prosecution had not been met.

In a statement, Al-Obeid said: ‘I had a criminal record over the last few months because the Met were able to have me convicted under the Single Justice Procedure. I was devastated when I found out. To be convicted behind closed doors for standing up for my human rights, and our rights just to be safe from violence, felt extremely unjust.’

Al-Obeid said she was ‘extremely lucky to have a legal team of amazing women who told me my rights and said what was happening was unlawful’. She was taking steps to bring a civil claim alongside other women ‘seeking to hold the police accountable for their actions both at the vigil and since’.

Al-Obeid is being represented by Bindmans solicitor Rachel Harger, and Doughty Street Chambers’ Jude Bunting QC and Pippa Woodrow. She was previously represented by Grace Loncraine, a solicitor at Commons Legal.