David accepts instructions across a range of areas of chambers’ work with a particular focus on public inquiries, inquests and police law. He is recognised by Chambers & Partners as an ‘Up & Coming’ junior barrister in the areas of Police Law and Inquests & Public Inquiries.

David is a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (‘C’ Panel).

Prior to coming to the Bar, David worked for several years in Local Government and the Civil Service. He also regularly appeared as an advocate in appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).

He studied law as a mature student in 2015, graduating first in his year, before being called to the Bar in 2017. Throughout his legal studies, David volunteered at Stonewall, the LGBT rights charity.

Inquests

David acts for a wide variety of interested persons with a particular focus on representing public bodies in both Article 2 and non-Article 2 inquests. He represents Government departments, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, Police Services, Local Authorities and others.

Selected Cases

  • David is currently instructed by the Ministry of Defence as the separate representation for a soldier, in an inquest arising out of the death of another soldier in live-firing training.
  • Represented a police service in a multi-week jury inquest in which the service were joined as an IP after the inquest had commenced.
  • Represented a local authority in an inquest involving the death of man following discharge from hospital, with involvement of a third sector provider and multiple referrals to the local authority’s social services teams.
  • Represented His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service in a jury inquest arising out of a death in custody. The inquest covered complex expert and procedural evidence with 10 witnesses from the prison giving oral evidence.
Public Inquiries

David is regularly instructed in high profile public inquiries.

Selected Cases

  • The Manston Inquiry: David is instructed by the Cabinet Office.
  • The Southport Inquiry: David is instructed by the Department for Education
  • The UK Covid-19 Inquiry: David is instructed by the Cabinet Office & Number 10.
  • The Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan: David is instructed by the Ministry of Defence.
  • The Cranston Inquiry: David was instructed by the Ministry of Defence.
  • The Undercover Policing Inquiry: David was instructed by the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police Service.
  • The Infected Blood Inquiry: David was instructed by the Department of Health.
Police Law

David accepts instructions across all areas of Police Law including public protection matters, civil claims against the police, Police Property Act 1897 matters and misconduct.

He is particularly experienced in advising upon and acting in complex public protection order applications and their appeals.

Direct Access

David accepts work directly from clients in accordance with our Direct Access Scheme. You can find out more about instructing him directly here or via the Direct Access Portal.

“David has a strong work ethic, a very good grip on the detail and really critical skills. He produced quality goods from complex documents.”

Chambers & Partners 2026

“David showed great attention to detail and developed strong relationships with the parties involved. He was impressive.”

Chambers & Partners 2026

“David Reader is a very good advocate who is very well prepared and has a lot of respect from others. This case is particularly complex, and he is handling it beautifully.”

Chambers & Partners 2026

“He has a quick grasp of very complex technical issues, and he has the ability to make clients feel at ease no matter how stressful the circumstances. I can highly recommend David.”

Chambers & Partners 2026

“David Reader is confident in negotiating with duty solicitors, counsel, and handles multiple cases in a day with ease and is often successful in our applications.”

Chambers & Partners 2026

Appointments

  • Fee-Paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration & Asylum Chamber)
  • Attorney General’s C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown

Awards

  • Levitt Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (2017)
  • 4 Kings Bench Walk Prize for Advocacy, for best overall performance (2017)
  • 5 Paper Buildings Prize for Cross Examination for best overall performance (2017)
  • The University of Law Prize for Immigration and Asylum for best overall performance (2017)
  • Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lincoln’s Inn (2016)
  • BPTC Advocacy Scholarship, University of Law (2015/16)
  • Performance Award, University of Law (2015)
  • The University of Law Prize for the highest result nationally achieved on the LL.B (2015)
  • Award for the best overall LL.B student, University of Law (2015)
  • The Dechert Scholarship (2014)
  • Winner of the University of Law Mooting Competition, Supreme Court (2014)

Education

  • University of Law, BPTC (Very Competent) (2017)
  • University of Law, LLB, 2 year accelerated. (First Class Hons) (2015)

Memberships

  • ALBA
  • Lincoln’s Inn

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