Yvonne Kestler
Senior associate solicitor
Yvonne Kestler is a senior associate solicitor in the human rights department.
Yvonne is a senior associate solicitor working with partner Emma Jones in the human rights department. Yvonne acts in a wide range of cases involving human rights claims against the police. Yvonne also represents individuals in claims against public bodies for false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office and claims under the Equality Act 2010. Yvonne also represents families at inquests.
What people say
"From my first phone call to the end of the case Leigh Day and my solicitor Yvonne were amazing. They found ways to make the process easy for me, finding solutions to the many barriers raised by large institutions and ultimately overcoming all the difficulties with a high level of professionalism and expertise to achieve a great outcome. - Muhammad Mian via Trustpilot
"Our solicitor, Yvonne Kestler, who was acting on our behalf was extremely professional from start to finish. She fully understood how difficult and distressing our case was but showed great compassion throughout." - client of Yvonne, via Trustpilot.
What the directories say
Yvonne Kestler provides an excellent service. She's very confident, professional and extremely knowledgeable.
Chambers and partners 2024
Legal expertise
Yvonne has significant experience in actions against the police having practiced in this area for several years prior to joining Leigh Day.
Yvonne began her career as an immigration caseworker. Her work specifically focused on cases involving human rights abuses. She challenged the decisions of public bodies such as the Home Office and played a significant role in the preparation of the country guidance case BK (Failed Asylum Seekers) DRC CG [2007] UKAIT. Yvonne conducted multiple judicial review proceedings challenging the removal of her clients.
Yvonne has a keen interest in civil liberties and human rights. She returned from New Orleans, Louisiana in 2011 after undertaking a six month internship with Amicus (a UK charity working with individuals on death row). She assisted two criminal defence attorneys in pre-trial and capital post-conviction cases.
Yvonne studied for an undergraduate degree in English Literature & Creative Writing before going on to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Bar Vocational Course. Yvonne was called to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2010. Yvonne transferred to qualify as a solicitor and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors on 2 December 2013.
Accreditations
What the directories say
Yvonne Kestler is an exceptional police actions lawyer. I have had the privilege of working with her since I started practising, and I have found her consistently brilliant in terms of legal acumen, completely committed to her clients, and a delight to work with.
Legal 500 2023
News and blogs
Inquest into the death of Jordan Clare, 22
Coroner Adrian Farrow found that the delay by the police in re-grading an incident to an emergency response, on being notified of 22-year-old Jordan Clare's intent to take his own life, possibly contributed to his death.
Inquest into the death of anorexia nervosa patient Hayley Smith, aged 27
The jury hearing an inquest into the death of 27-year-old anorexia nervosa patient Hayley Smith has concluded that a series of failures contributed to her tragic death.
Family of Lauren Lelonek welcome recognition of failures by school and police
The family of Lauren Lelonek have welcomed the school and the police's recognition that there were failures to protect Lauren from bullying and harassment, three years after her death.