Inquests & Public Inquiries
UK Bar Guide 2025 : The Regions (Bar)
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0161) 817 6377Chambers Review
Garden Court North Chambers excels in the representation of bereaved families and survivors in public inquiries and Article 2 inquests. Barristers from the set provide expert handling of a wide range of matters, including deaths involving policing and prisons, or immigration detention. The set has also had counsel appear in most of the major public inquiries undertaken in recent years, including the Undercover Policing Inquiry and UK Covid-19 Inquiry. A market commentator notes that "Garden Court North Chambers has a wealth of experience in dealing with individuals from all walks of life, adapting to meet the specific needs of each client. They are highly qualified in dealing with bereaved families and dealing with niche areas of law that many other practitioners have not had experience in." Barristers at the set have recently acted for core parties on the Inquest into the Death of Yousef Makki and the Manchester Arena Inquiry.
Annmarie Nightingale is head of practice management at the set.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks at GCN Chambers are highly approachable, knowledgeable and always on hand to offer their support."
"The clerks at GCN Chambers are highly approachable, knowledgeable and always on hand to offer their support."
Notable Practitioners
Kate Stone is a strong choice of barrister for the representation of bereaved families in Article 2 inquests involving the police, prisons or other elements of the criminal justice system. She is also knowledgeable about relevant mental health issues.
"Kate is very, very sensitive with bereaved families, while also making sure that all facts in a case are fully explored."
"Kate Stone is a very powerful advocate. She's very softly spoken but extremely effective."
"Kate Stone is the best person for questions on the granular details of an inquest. She is very good at crunching the analysis and translating complexity and detail."
"Kate provides sensitive and practical advice to clients, but she's also creative in how we can best achieve what the client wants from the inquest process."
Pete Weatherby KC has consistently represented survivors and the bereaved in investigations scrutinising the circumstances of the very gravest of tragedies. In recent years he has been instructed in the Grenfell Tower, Undercover Policing and UK COVID-19 Inquiries.
"Pete is the OG inquiry lawyer in Manchester. He's fantastic."
"Pete Weatherby is someone I will always go to. He is fantastic - I would trust him with my life."
"Pete is a highly skilled advocate and is a leading legal figure in Coronial and Public Law. His commitment and dedication to the bereaved families he represents is unwavering."
Anna Morris KC has significant experience representing bereaved families in both inquests and public inquiries. She has strong expertise in Article 2 inquests, and has notably acted in a number of matters examining historic miscarriages of justice. Alongside her counsel practice, Morris sits as an assistant coroner.
"Anna is amazing. She is extremely empathetic to clients, and her advocacy is second to none. She is fearless, but she does it in a way that is kind and calming. I'm very happy that she made silk."
"Anna Morris KC takes a very holistic approach to inquests and inquiries. She cares about all the components. She is a very calm presence who we can always rely on to be brilliant with clients."
Ciara Bartlam acts for bereaved families in jury inquests, often concerning the management of mental health conditions. She is regarded as an accomplished and reliable advocate in sensitive cases.
"Ciara Bartlam is very tenacious. She always does her best for clients."
"Ciara dedicates herself to every case. She provides a safe space for bereaved families to share their concerns without feeling judged, and she delivers focused and fearless advocacy on their behalf."
Mira Hammad has received notable instructions in the Grenfell Tower and Manchester Arena Inquiries, alongside work in inquests concerning prisons, emergency response and other issues. Her practice is focused on representing the bereaved families.
"I would trust Mira Hammad with any case or any client. She has such a fantastic breadth of knowledge, and her capacity for work is unmatched."
Christian Weaver is noted for his expertise in representing bereaved families in complex inquests and inquiries. He has strong experience of sensitive issues including mental health and duty of care in institutions.
"Christian is a potential star in the making."
"Christian really is the full package. Clients and coroners really like his measured and thoughtful approach."
Lily Lewis is recognised as a rising star in the inquest and inquiries space. She draws on her broader public law and human rights expertise to represent bereaved families in complex inquests, often those concerning young people. She acts in high-profile mandates, such as Modules 1 and 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
"Lily is exceptionally helpful and will go out of her way to assist bereaved families. She provides sound advice and offers a wealth of knowledge in coronial and public law matters."
"Lily's submissions are exceptional, and our clients have been most impressed by her work and attention to detail. She shows warmth and respect to the bereaved families throughout the inquest process."
"Lily is extremely attentive, excellent with clients and very knowledgeable. She continues to go from strength to strength in her career."