About Jocelyn Cockburn
Jocelyn is a partner in the Civil Liberties & Human Rights team and has a wealth of experience representing bereaved families at inquests and in claims and other legal challenges against the state. Many of her cases arise under article 2 of the Human Rights Act, which relates to the ‘right to life’ and whether the State has failed to protect individuals.
She is currently involved in a ground breaking case which will examine the government’s actions in relation to unlawful levels of air pollution in urban areas. In 2019 she was successful in arguing that there should be a second inquest into the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year-old child who died of an asthma attack in 2013. The inquest should examine whether air pollution contributed to her death.
The inquest will also consider whether government bodies failed to protect Ella, who lived by the busy South Circular Road, from the risk of air pollution of which they were aware.
Jocelyn has conducted an array of difficult and often high profile cases, for example acting for Neville Lawrence in relation to the Undercover Police Inquiry and other ongoing investigations.
She is concerned about increasing deaths in police custody and in prison and has supported families through the very difficult inquest and claim processes.
She has represented families of UK soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in a challenge to the Ministry of Defence’s use of poorly armoured ‘Snatch Land Rovers’. She argued that Snatch could not withstand the roadside bombs in use by Insurgents and the MoD was aware of this. This ruling by the Supreme Court established for the first time that the European Convention on Human Rights applies to soldiers on the battlefield and that the MoD potentially breached the human rights of UK soldiers.
"Jocelyn is an exceptionally creative practitioner. She is dedicated and determined." - Chambers UK, 2025
Awards & Recognitions
- Highly Commended for the Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2019; The Law Society Excellence Awards
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws – awarded by University of Kent – July 2017
- Featured in a photography exhibition at the Supreme Court which commemorated the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta
- Highly Commended at the Law Society Excellence Awards 2013 under the category: Legal Personality of the Year 2013 and wa isted in the Hot List 100
- The Lawyer Awards- Partner of the Year Award 2012
- Eclipse Personal Injury Case of the Year 2010
- Shortlisted for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards and the Liberty Human Rights Lawyer of the Year.
Client Comments
- “Jocelyn’s compassion towards us at a time when many other people were dismissive made me and my family feel that someone understood and was willing to fight for us.” (Client)
- “Great service will highly recommend your services.” (Client)
“Jocelyn's compassion towards us at a time when many other people were dismissive made me and my family feel that someone understood and was willing to fight for us.”
“Jocelyn's compassion towards us at a time when many other people were dismissive made me and my family feel that someone understood and was willing to fight for us.”
Professional Comments
Barristers Comments
- “She is someone who refuses to bow down or to be intimidated by agents of the state. She is a modern day David who steps up to take on Goliath.” (Counsel)
- “Jocelyn works tirelessly for her clients who have suffered great injustice at the hands of the state.” (Counsel)
- “This case could not have been run without Jocelyn’s determination to see it through” (Counsel)
Independent Legal Directories
Membership & Appointments
- The Police Action Lawyers Group
- The Inquest Lawyers Group
- Patron of the British Scoliosis Research Foundation
‘Jocelyn Cockburn is a top tier solicitor, at the forefront of human rights law. She has been pivotal in several key cases. Her attention to detail is amazing.’ Legal 500, 2021
Career & Education
Career
- Doctor of Laws (Honorary) – University of Kent – July 2017
- Partner, Hodge Jones & Allen, 2007 to date
- Joined Hodge Jones & Allen, 2004
- Admitted to the Roll, January 1997
- Trainee Solicitor, Druces & Attlee, 1994-1996
Education
- Northumbria University Law School 1992 – 1994
- Newcastle University 1989 – 1992 (BA Hons)
Opinion
Opinion
Opinion
