Department profile
5 Essex Chambers

Inquests & Public Inquiries

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


5 Essex Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

5 Essex Chambers has an extremely strong bench of seasoned experts who are consistently involved in the highest-profile inquests and public inquiries. The barristers are praised by one source as "experts in their fields", and serve a broad client base including NHS trusts, local authorities and government departments, and frequently act for coroners or inquiry chairs. Members have an especially strong following among police forces. Recent work includes key roles in the UK COVID-19, Post Office Horizon IT and Infected Blood Inquiries. Sources further remark: "5 Essex has a wide range of expertise and different levels of counsel to suit different cases."

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking team are very accommodating.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are always responsive and helpful.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsAlison Hewitt
    Star IndividualsAlison Hewitt

    Alison Hewitt

    Alison Hewitt stands out for her expertise in high-profile inquests. She is instructed by coroners and interested parties in matters involving police law, professional discipline and clinical and mental health. She also serves as the Senior Coroner for the City of London and routinely represents coroners in public law challenges.

    • Alison is absolutely phenomenal. She has remarkable attention to detail and is a real go-to counsel.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Alison has exceptional knowledge and skills in inquest and police law. She is very diligent and defends her clients in a quiet but determined way.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Alison's meticulous assistance to the coroner brings about significant changes. She pressed witnesses with the kind of detail you do not see very often.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsGeorgina Wolfe
    Star IndividualsGeorgina Wolfe

    Georgina Wolfe

    Georgina Wolfe is instructed in a broad range of public inquiries and inquests. Recent mandates include cases concerning national security, clinical negligence and police operations. She predominantly acts for state agents, including police forces, coroners and government departments.

    • She is a real team player who combines intellectual firepower and good judgement with fantastic advocacy skills. Clients love her ability to explain difficult issues and strategies.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Georgina is hugely trusted in national security issues. She has unparalleled knowledge, academic rigour with a brilliant track record of high-profile clients.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Georgina has a phenomenal grasp of the law and gives very pragmatic advice.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Georgina is really clever and hard-working.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Georgina is a really good thinker and excellent with preparing statements. She has been instrumental in every step.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsJason Beer
    Star IndividualsJason Beer

    Jason Beer

    Jason Beer KC is a true trailblazer in the field of public inquiries: having penned the seminal text on the subject, he continues to pick up a plethora of key instructions in many of the most prominent inquiries undertaken, acting as counsel to the inquiry or for the police or central government departments.

    • Jason is the top man in public inquiries. He is a really good leader.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Jason is a brilliant leader and a class act. His judgement is always impeccable and his questioning is always brilliant.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Jason's knowledge and expertise in police law is exceptional, and his cross-examination is powerful and controlled. He is a very effective advocate but always courteous and professional.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Claire Palmer
    Band 1Claire Palmer

    Claire Palmer

    Claire Palmer is a barrister called upon by government departments, NHS bodies and police forces to represent them in inquests and public inquiries. She is particularly adept at providing counsel on matters that involve national security elements and police custody issues.

    • Claire is very rigorous in her approach.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Claire absolutely stands her ground for her clients but she is also very fair to deal with. She is a very clear advocate. She makes the inquest process meaningful for the clients and families.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Claire is a fantastic barrister for inquests and inquiries. She has an eye for detail and is great with witnesses, especially in sensitive or emotional settings.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Fiona Barton
    Band 1Fiona Barton

    Fiona Barton

    Fiona Barton KC brings her significant expertise in police law to her representation of forces and officers in sensitive inquests and public inquiries. She also represents other state agents and is especially well versed in matters involving the criminal justice system.

    • Fiona is sensible and strong in tricky inquests.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Samantha Leek
    Band 1Samantha Leek

    Samantha Leek

    Samantha Leek KC is a strong choice to represent coroners and state agents in sensitive inquests. She has particular expertise in inquests arising out of police shootings and deaths in prison. She also represents institutions as central core participants in high-profile public inquiries.

    • Samantha is very efficient and very knowledgeable.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Samantha is a great advocate with deadly powers of persuasion.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • She is very polished, hard-working and very organised, with excellent advocacy.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Samantha is a class act working on all sorts of high-profile inquests. She is very impressive on her feet and has a very sophisticated turn of phrase.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Aaron Moss
    Band 2Aaron Moss

    Aaron Moss

    Aaron Moss impresses fellow barristers with his advocacy and in-depth knowledge of inquests and public inquiries involving the police, terrorism and national security. He is regularly instructed by coroners as junior counsel to some of the more high-profile and sensitive inquests, and also acts for police forces and individual officers.

    • Aaron is an outstanding cross-examiner and has excellent attention to detail.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Aaron is very good at distilling information down to what is important and has great attention to detail.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Amy Clarke
    Band 2Amy Clarke

    Amy Clarke

    Amy Clarke attracts instructions from various police forces in major inquests and public inquiries. She has notable expertise in areas including the use of force by the police and the care of people with mental ill health.

    • Amy is absolutely brilliant representing police. She is very bright, personable and a great advocate.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Amy is a silk of the future. She is one to be completely trusted and she has impeccable judgement.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Amy is exceedingly professional with an excellent approach towards constructively working with others in inquests.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Amy is really comprehensive and handles witnesses excellently.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Barnabas Branston
    Band 2Barnabas Branston

    Barnabas Branston

    Barnabas Branston has significant experience of inquests involving police conduct and deaths in custody. He is typically instructed on behalf of police forces and prison operators.

    • Barnabas is a fantastic advocate who is completely across the detail. He demolishes witnesses with ease and disarming courtesy.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Barnabas is a brilliant advocate and very good communicator.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Cicely Hayward
    Band 2Cicely Hayward

    Cicely Hayward

    Cicely Hayward is a highly able barrister frequently sought out to act on behalf of police forces, government departments and local authorities, as well as families and coroners. She is instructed in both public inquiries and high-profile inquests, with issues typically including the handling of police investigations or other operations.

    • Cicely has a rare combination of dogged pursuit for the client and being great to work with. She has a real eye for detail and is never fazed in a crisis.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Cicely is responsive, thoughtful and completely dependable. Her written work is outstanding and her strategic instincts are spot-on.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Cicely is exceptional and does lots of inquests and inquiries.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Emma Price
    Band 2Emma Price

    Emma Price

    Emma Price has a busy inquests and inquiries practice which sees her regularly act for central government, police forces, NHS trusts and local authorities.

    • Emma did a phenomenal job and handled tricky witnesses with aplomb.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Emma is an invaluable barrister. She is very articulate, unflappable and thoroughly prepares.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Jonathan Dixey
    Band 2Jonathan Dixey

    Jonathan Dixey

    Jonathan Dixey is routinely instructed by government departments, police forces and other public bodies in inquests and public inquiries. He has been instructed on behalf of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the COVID-19 Inquiry.

    • Jonathan provides pragmatic advice.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Anne Studd
    Band 3Anne Studd

    Anne Studd

    Anne Studd KC is an experienced barrister offering considerable expertise in matters involving the police. She is regularly instructed in inquests and public inquiries involving police investigations and operations. She also handles some of the most controversial healthcare-related matters.

    • Anne is a tenacious force to be reckoned with.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Anne is very hard-working, diligent and very knowledgeable about inquiries.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Anne is hard-working and a good team leader.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Anne is a real no-nonsense problem solver. She is direct, extremely bright and personable.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Beatrice Collier
    Band 3Beatrice Collier

    Beatrice Collier

    Beatrice Collier is a barrister known for providing strong representation at inquests, particularly in matters scrutinising the actions or inaction of the police. She has additional expertise in mental healthcare and is frequently instructed at inquests by NHS bodies, as well as police forces.

    • Beatrice is incredibly personable and she always engenders an environment where everyone works very well together.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Catriona Hodge
    Band 3Catriona Hodge

    Catriona Hodge

    Catriona Hodge is trusted by a variety of public and government bodies to represent them in high-profile inquests and inquiries. She has been instructed in the COVID-19 and Post Office Inquiries.

    • Catriona is a dream junior. She was well prepared, completed tasks quickly and had skilful questioning.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Catriona combines great intellect with a warm personality. Her gentle examination masks her a silent assassin. She is quietly devastating in cross-examination.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Catriona is absolutely excellent and a very skilful advocate.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Francesca Whitelaw
    Band 3Francesca Whitelaw

    Francesca Whitelaw

    Francesca Whitelaw KC is a leading barrister who is frequently instructed by government and the police to represent their interests in inquests that attract the attention of the national press and that relate to serious acts of terrorism or scrutinise the actions of police officers and other public agents.

    • Francesa is an exceptional advocate with razor-sharp analysis and a measured presence in court.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Francesca is destined for success. She is well liked and admired in her field and is an expert, which matters a lot in inquest work.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Francesca is a very effective team player.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Francesca is an excellent inquiry advocate. She is very clear and focused on what's important.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3John Goss
    Band 3John Goss

    John Goss

    John Goss has a strong Article 2 inquest practice and is often instructed by police forces. He undertakes matters focused on national security and police conduct.

    • John is a brilliant mind and an effective advocate.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • John is impressive in every respect: measured, meticulous and unflappable under pressure. He navigates sensitive matters with real care and authority, earning trust from all sides.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • John is very knowledgeable in military matters and very on top of the intricacies in procedural matters.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Mark Thomas
    Band 3Mark Thomas

    Mark Thomas

    Mark Thomas enjoys a strong reputation at the Bar for his work in inquests, particularly those involving the police. He has substantial expertise in mental health-related matters.

    • Mark is helpful and supportive throughout the inquest.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Mark dealt admirably with a very difficult situation that arose. He delivers submissions with grace and poise and represents his clients' interests fearlessly.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Mark is a well-prepared and dogged advocate for his clients but has real strategic insight.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Peter Taheri
    Band 4Peter Taheri

    Peter Taheri

    Peter Taheri is highly valued by police forces, several of whom have instructed him in sensitive Article 2 inquests. Taheri has also acted as counsel to the inquest.

    • Peter was robust on the law and good when questioning witnesses.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Alex Ustych
    Band 5Alex Ustych

    Alex Ustych

    Alex Ustych has acted in significant inquiries as well as supporting coroners and families in judicial review proceedings of coronial decisions.

    • Alex is a clear thinker and a reliable barrister.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Alex is very impressive and all over the detail, including GDPR aspects. He is a very good advocate with a lovely and persuasive style.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Jennifer Wright
    Band 5Jennifer Wright

    Jennifer Wright

    Jennifer Wright has appeared in a number of high-profile public inquiries and inquests. She is widely instructed by police forces and has also acted for a key non-police core participant in the Post Office Horizon Inquiry.

    • Jennifer is a very quick study with a very practical view of how to manage and run major inquiries. She has a phenomenal attention to detail and rigour when preparing documents.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Jennifer is very bright, analytical and willing to get to grips with massive volume.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5John-Paul Waite
    Band 5John-Paul Waite

    John-Paul Waite

    John-Paul Waite is routinely instructed to act in inquests on behalf of prison services and police forces. His work often touches upon sensitive matters, including Article 2 cases concerning self-inflicted deaths.

    • John-Paul is very dedicated to the ethos of his client. He is very capable and handles complex ethical points with the benefit of a mature practice.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Jonathan Landau
    Band 5Jonathan Landau

    Jonathan Landau

    Jonathan Landau utilises his considerable expertise in healthcare regulation to act in inquests and inquiries.

    • Jonathan is always available and able to use his experience in inquests and other areas to give well-rounded advice.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Robert Cohen
    Band 5Robert Cohen

    Robert Cohen

    Robert Cohen maintains a busy inquest and inquiry practice instructed by a range of clients including government bodies and police forces.

    • Rob is a very comprehensive advocate and he provides an excellent service.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksBilal Rawat
    New SilksBilal Rawat

    Bilal Rawat

    Bilal Rawat KC is particularly notable for his considerable expertise acting as counsel to the inquiry or inquest. He has been involved in a string of extremely high-profile matters including the Grenfell Tower and COVID-19 Inquiries.

    • Bilal has a huge amount of inquiry experience. He is sensible and very intellectual.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 5 Essex Chambers (25)

London (Bar)

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