Public Inquiries and Inquests

Overview

Public Inquiries

Landmark Chambers is a leading public inquiry set.

Our barristers have considerable experience in representing both institutional and complainant core participants and acting as Counsel to the Inquiry (‘CTI’) in both statutory and non-statutory public inquiries.

Members of Chambers currently act for core participants, government departments, witnesses and as CTI in the following ongoing public inquiries:

The Grooming Gangs Inquiry: Fiona Scolding KC (CTI), Christopher Jacobs

The Covid-19 Inquiry: David Lock KC, Fiona Scolding KC, Carine Patry KC, Galina Ward KC, Julia Smyth KC, Sasha Blackmore KC, Christopher Jacobs, Miranda Butler, Ben Fulbrook, Natasha Jackson, Harriet Wakeman, Margherita Cornaglia, Karl Laird, Georgina Fenton, Joe Thomas, Charles Bishop, Rebecca Sage, Edward Arash Abedian

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry: Christopher Jacobs, Kimberley Ziya, Joe Thomas

The Patrick Finucane Inquiry: Christopher Jacobs

The Southport Inquiry: Galina Ward KC, Harriet Wakeman

The Nottingham Inquiry: Fiona Scolding KC, Carine Patry KC

The Lampard Inquiry: Fiona Scolding KC, Samantha Broadfoot KC, Claudia Hyde

The Thirlwell Inquiry: Fiona Scolding KC

The Omagh Bombing Inquiry: Karl Laird

The Manston Inquiry: Miranda Butler, Rossen Roussanov, Louise McCormack

The Small Boats Inquiry: Claude Hyde

Members of the Landmark team have additionally represented core participants and witnesses in the following public inquiries:

The Cranston Inquiry: David Blundell KC, Harriet Wakeman

The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry: Harriet Wakeman

The Brook House Inquiry: Alex Goodman KC, Christopher Jacobs, Harriet Wakeman (CTI)

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA): Fiona Scolding KC (CTI), Galina Ward KC, Christopher Jacobs, Ben Fulbrook (CTI).

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Harriet Wakeman

The Leveson Inquiry: Carine Patry KC (CTI)

The Infected Blood Inquiry: David Lock KC, Fiona Scolding KC, Miranda Butler, Hannah Gibbs

Southport Inquiry: Galina Ward KC, Harriet Wakeman.

Statutory Public Inquiries are governed by the Inquiries Act 2005 and the Inquiry Rules 2006. A particular feature of this area of practice is that an Inquiry Chair will often hold a very wide discretion in matters of procedure and evidence. Members of the Landmark team have expertise in advising on the various types of legal issues which flow from the statutory and procedural framework, which is unique to this area of practice.

In addition to the representation of parties within public inquiries, members of chambers regularly advise and assist prospective core participants who wish to apply to participate in public inquiries.

Members of Chambers also provide practical solutions and advice to institutions involved in public inquiries on a wide range of issues, including responses to Rule 9 requests, disclosure and confidentiality obligations.

In addition to representing core participants and witnesses, Landmark Counsel has acted as Counsel to the Inquiry (‘CTI’), instructed by solicitors acting for the sponsoring government department.

Inquests

Members of Chambers have extensive experience in inquest work, acting as counsel to the inquest (CTI), as well as acting for a wide range of interested persons including bereaved families and government departments.

Members of Chambers have experience in jury inquests and Article 2 inquests, and are able to advise on and act in cases raising a wide range of issues relating to inquests, including s.13 Coroners Act 1988 and judicial review challenges of coronial decisions.