Inquests & Public Inquiries

Matthew Hill has an outstanding track record of instructions in very high-profile public inquiries and inquests. He is a go-to barrister for coroners and inquiry chairs and also advises medical professionals, bereaved families and other core participants. His expertise includes clinical negligence and professional discipline matters.

"Matthew has a very analytical approach to things. He is very hard-working."

"Matthew is meticulous in his preparation and he is a real authority."

"Matthew has a very nice advocacy style, but above all, he is extremely well organised and marshals his submissions very well. He completely gets on top of the facts."

"Matthew is nothing short of a machine and nothing is ever too much. The quality of his work in writing is exceptional."

Neil Sheldon KC represents government and police departments, healthcare professionals and other participants in complex inquests and inquiries. His wide-ranging experience includes cases concerning the armed services, national security, healthcare and historic child abuse.

"His drafting skills as well as his clarity of advocacy and advice are impressive."

"Neil is a superb orator and brings calm to any situation at hand. He is highly adept at reminding people of the facts and keeping things calm with good strategic oversight."

"Neil has a strength in national security."

"Neil is one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in terms of public interest immunity points."

Peter Skelton KC is frequently instructed in large inquests and inquiries which are often under considerable media scrutiny. He also routinely represents parties in inquests involving clinical negligence and is instructed to defend coronial decisions in judicial review proceedings.

"His manner is so measured and careful but he is an extremely effective inquisitorial advocate."

"Peter has an ability to cut through incredibly complex nets of interrelationships between state agencies. He leads the coroner to a clear picture of what happened."

Alasdair Henderson possesses a breadth of inquests and inquiries expertise. He has been instructed as counsel to a number of prominent public inquiries.

"Alasdair is clever, quick, efficient and organised."

"His judgement is spot on and he builds good relationships with clients."

"Alasdair comes in fully prepared and puts in the time."

Amy Mannion is a sought-after barrister for major public inquiries involving the police. She also handles judicial review challenges to the decisions of inquiry chairs.

"Amy has this wonderful ability to be granular and strategic. She can dig down into the detail while still retaining focus on how things should be in months ahead."

"Her submissions are concise and words are not wasted. They are thoughtful and to the point."

"Her work is amazingly good. She provides very good strategic advice and she is so efficient. Her advice to clients is very good in terms of content and speed."

"Her grasp for what clients want is incredible. She holds the whole thing together."

"Amy has an incredibly bright, tactical and strategic mind."

Oliver Sanders KC is experienced in representing coroners and interested persons at prominent inquests. He has appeared in some of the most high-profile public inquiries of recent years.

"Oliver is very thorough and measured. He is very on top of the material."

"Oliver looks at things in different ways to others, which is very powerful."

"Oliver effectively and efficiently does all this work."

Leanne Woods has received widespread commendation for her appearances in inquests or inquiries concerning deaths in medical settings. She has represented doctors, clinical commissioning groups and central government.

"Leanne has a great rapport with clients and experts. She is very detail-oriented."

"Leanne knows the case inside and out."

"Leanne Woods is a master of the detail."

"Leanne is very good at spotting the strategic issues."

Shaheen Rahman KC draws high praise for her assured advocacy when acting for the bereaved, or as counsel to the inquest. Her work in this field focuses on deaths in medical settings.

"Shaheen has a very assured touch. She helps to cope with the sense of the strategy while having a tremendous legal mind."

Clodagh Bradley KC has wide-ranging experience in medical inquests. She is instructed by bereaved families, NHS trusts and pharmaceutical companies.

"Her thoroughness and ability to pick up a case at short notice and get on top of things is really impressive."

"Clodagh is really fantastic on the minute details."

Emma-Louise Fenelon has acted in a number of high-profile Article 2 inquests including those concerning domestic abuse or psychiatric care. She has an impressive depth of knowledge on medical matters and has been instructed for the government in the Infected Blood Inquiry.

"Emma-Louise is very good on inquests and a trusted pair of hands for inquest work."

"She has no problems with dealing with people who can be problematic."

Jo Moore is described by instructing solicitors as a sophisticated advocate who can be relied upon to build a rapport with a range of lay clients. Her inquest work focuses on general and mental healthcare; she has also acted in the Covid-19 Inquiry.

"Jo is just really robust in court. She has brilliant attention to detail and great people skills."

"Jo provides clear and sound advice."

"It's clear she's fully up with all the papers, making nuanced comments and providing expert advice. Her client service and approachability with families are amazing."

"Jo is sharp and incredibly diligent."

Gideon Barth is a well-regarded junior barrister who has acted for the bereaved as well as emergency services in a number of high-profile inquests.

"Gideon delivers excellent inquest advocacy and advice."

Jessica Elliott is a highly esteemed barrister with an active inquest practice. She represents bereaved families, government bodies and healthcare organisations.

"Jessica is tenacious, thoughtful and intelligent. She has the ability to get into the detail."

"Jessica is a pleasure to work with."

Jim Duffy is an experienced barrister who has impressive expertise in inquests. His work in the field focuses on healthcare and mental health-related deaths.

"Jim is an excellent advocate."

Suzanne Lambert is active in both inquest and public inquiry proceedings. She is routinely instructed by central government and public bodies in healthcare-related matters.

"Suzanne is fantastically intelligent and she has a great grasp on the detail. She is excellent in client care."

"Suzanne is very hard-working and detailed. She is excellent at grasping complex legal issues."

"She is very user-friendly and able to get a good grasp of the case."

Jonathan Metzer is a junior barrister with notable experience acting in Article 2 inquests and high-profile public inquiries. His inquest work often involves issues of mental healthcare.

"Jonathan is very thorough and sensible. He has a very disarming advocacy style."

"Faultless at inquests."

Thomas Beamont is recommended for his appearances in some of the most high-profile public inquiries of recent years. He also regularly acts on behalf of bereaved families in a wide range of inquests.

"Thomas is tactically astute, practical and endlessly approachable."

"Thomas is always totally prepared, even on urgent instructions with a short turnaround time. He is good with clients, easy to work alongside and very reliable. His advocacy is very good."

"Thomas is very alive to the issues. He understands how to produce work that meets clients' expectations and he is good at distilling the issue."

David Manknell KC offers comprehensive experience in inquests, particularly those concerning accidents in aviation or on the railways. He has represented the Air and Rail Accident Investigation Branches on a number of occasions.

"David is absolutely on top of the detail in cases. He is very good at persuading coroners."

"David is smart and thoughtful. He is measured and very sensible."

"David is technically very able."