Hannah Walsh is a Partner at Weightmans and one of the UK's leading police lawyers.
She is a recognised expert in police law, public sector governance and legal service delivery, leading Weightmans' work for policing across England and Wales.
Hannah heads the Firm's delivery of the Police National Legal Services Framework (NLSF), the national framework managed by the Metropolitan Police Service and used by all police forces, Police and Crime Commissioners, the National Crime Agency, and other public bodies. Weightmans is the only Law Firm appointed across all seven lots of the framework, placing Hannah at the centre of the most significant legal services arrangement in UK policing.
Having advised police clients throughout her career, Hannah combines legal expertise with a detailed understanding of the operational, political and reputational challenges facing modern policing. She is a trusted adviser to Chief Officers, Force Solicitors, Heads of Legal, Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Executives on matters that are often high profile, business critical and legally complex.
Alongside her strategic advisory role, Hannah oversees the delivery of significant volumes of legal work across all disciplines, coordinating teams and resources to ensure police clients receive consistent, high-quality support on everything from routine operational matters and high-volume case portfolios through to nationally significant work and major projects.
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Hannah is a top police solicitor with a national profile. She is exceptionally good at client handling and very experienced. Nothing is too much trouble for Hannah and she acts quickly to resolve any issues that arise.
Chambers and Partners, 2026 -
Hannah is very knowledgeable and approachable, and is quick to resolve any issues. She is very experienced advising on matters of the highest sensitivity.
Chambers and Partners, 2026 -
Hannah leads the police team brilliantly. She really understands the complexities of the business and works tirelessly to come up with new and more efficient ways of doing things.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Hannah is very knowledgeable and helpful, always quick to resolve any issues. She is very approachable, and I am comfortable going to Hannah with any issues I may need resolving.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Hannah is exceptional in everything that she does.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
She is very approachable and knowledgeable on police law. She really understands the way the police service works.
Chambers and Partners 2024 -
She is a very impressive lawyer who is very knowledgeable on police law.
Chambers and Partners 2024 -
There is no issue too big or too small for Hannah
Chambers and Partners 2024 -
Hannah has an excellent level of knowledge about police law
Chambers and Partners 2022 -
She has a very good relationship with her clients and gives extremely good, practical advice.
Chambers and Partners 2022 -
She provides excellent client service, and is always first to be on any new development and willing to share that with the police law community.
Chambers and Partners 2021 -
Sources describe her as "very incisive and very practical" and clients report that she is "absolutely fantastic on multi-track personal injury claims, unlawful arrests and false imprisonment".
Chambers and Partners 2019 -
There is no issue too big or too small for Hannah.
Chambers and Partners 2022 -
Sources describe her as 'very incisive and very practical' and clients report that she is 'absolutely fantastic on multi-track personal injury claims, unlawful arrests and false imprisonment'.
Chambers and Partners 2021
Experience and notable cases:
Her experience spans the full range of legal issues affecting police forces, including civil litigation, public inquiries, inquests, misconduct, judicial review, employment, governance, procurement, commercial projects, major estates matters, safeguarding, public protection and operational policing advice.
Hannah is particularly well known for bringing together trusted experts from different disciplines to provide seamless support on complex issues that cut across multiple areas of law. Her ability to connect specialist legal advice with the practical realities of policing enables clients to access joined-up solutions to their most challenging issues.
In addition to advising on individual matters, Hannah has led transformation, panel management and collaboration initiatives designed to improve the delivery of legal services to policing. She works closely with police leaders and in-house legal teams to develop innovative approaches to risk management, value for money and legal service delivery.
A recognised thought leader within the police sector, Hannah regularly delivers strategic briefings and national training on emerging legal and operational developments, helping forces navigate evolving challenges ranging from misconduct and vetting to public protection, operational powers, inquiries, claims and governance.
