Public inquiries

Our public inquiry lawyers have a wealth of experience including advising those who are establishing and conducting public inquiries, and representing individuals and organisations who are taking part in a public inquiry, as a designated core participant or as a witness.

Whether your involvement in a public inquiry is voluntary or not, we understand that it can be daunting and you need specialist advice to support and guide you through the process.  

What are public inquiries?

Public inquiries are established to investigate, and review in detail, events which involve a matter of public concern. They provide an impartial view of what has happened, identify any failings which may have occurred, and make recommendations for the future. 

There are two types of public inquiry:

• Statutory (those established under the Inquiries Act 2005, more formal and have greater powers to obtain evidence and compel witnesses); and
• Non-statutory inquiries

Each public inquiry will have its own terms of reference, setting out why the inquiry has been set up and what it is investigating.

Public inquiries are chaired by an experienced professional, who is often a serving or retired judge. Some inquiries also have a panel of members, with relevant experience to support the inquiry Chair. The public inquiry will collect and review documentary evidence including witness statements, and may hold private or public hearings to hear oral submissions and oral evidence from witnesses.

The final stage of a public inquiry is the publication of the inquiry report, setting out details of the evidence the inquiry has reviewed, what conclusions it’s reached - which often include criticisms of individuals and organisations, and what recommendations the inquiry is making, to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.

There are a number of ways you may become involved in a public inquiry, it can include individuals (victims/survivors or their relatives), professionals, senior executives, employees, public officials, charities, public sector bodies and businesses. 

Participation may be voluntarily, or because you’ve received a formal request for evidence and you need to respond. Whatever the reason, we have professional and dedicated lawyers who can guide you through the process.

We can help you with:

• advising on law and process
• taking and preparing witness statements
• making applications and representation at hearings
• handling large scale disclosure exercises, including e-disclosure, involving reviewing material, and advising on questions of data protection law, legal professional privilege and commercial sensitivity
• related legal challenges, including judicial review
• instructing barristers and expert witnesses
• reputation management and media handling

Our public inquiries team members are recognised experts in their respective fields who are supported by a talented cohort of solicitors, legal executives, trainees, paralegals and executive assistants.

We understand that every client is unique and that no two matters will be the same. As a result, we work collaboratively to provide a seamless and tailored service to each and every one of our clients to meet your individual needs and protect your interests.

As a multi-disciplinary full-service firm, we are able to draw on experienced specialists from across the firm with relevant expertise to a particular inquiry, or an individual client. This enables us to assemble the strongest team on each instruction, to ensure the best possible result for you. 

As well as advising on your direct participation in a public inquiry, we can also provide advice and support on related matters and proceedings, including:

• inquests
• reputation management
• regulatory investigations
• professional regulatory/disciplinary proceedings
• charity law investigations
• criminal investigations (defendant)

Client expertise 

Examples of our recent public inquiry experience include acting for clients involved in:

• Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry 
• UK Covid-19 Inquiry
• Infected Blood Inquiry
• Grenfell Tower Inquiry
• Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)
  

Here are some comments made about us.

Charges are usually based on our hourly rates plus administrative charges and disbursements. We’ll provide an initial estimate of your likely legal costs and will update this if your requirements or the circumstances of the work change.

Depending on the public inquiry, funding may be available for legal representation for core participants.

We’d be pleased to discuss your initial requirements free of charge.