Lucy Bill in six-week inquest into death in hospital following police restraint

3rd June 2025

3PB's personal injury, costs and inquests barrister Lucy BillLucy BillCall: 2022 (pictured here) represented an emergency department staff member in an Article 2 ECHR jury inquest into the death of a young man, BR.

The six-week inquest into his death, following a complex police restraint in a hospital setting, raised issues of unlawful act manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and neglect.

The inquest explored critical questions including the use of force by police officers, the discharge process for patients who had taken an overdose, the use of Toxbase guidance, the increased risk of positional asphyxia following an overdose and the use of police FLACs devices (which have since been banned). The inquest concluded that he was unlawfully killed by a police officer. The coroner has indicated that he will issue a report directed at preventing future deaths.

Lucy is a member of the 3PB inquests team and represents the interests of both bereaved families and interested parties. If you wish to instruct her or see about her availability, please contact her clerk David Snook on [email protected] or by calling him on 01865 793736.