Public Inquiries

Harper Macleod’s public law team has significant experience in advising and representing individuals, public bodies and other organisations at high-profile and complex public inquiries in Scotland.

We are regularly called upon to advise clients concerning the application of the Inquiries Act 2005 and supporting them through the inquiry process, which has become a critical element of the Scottish and UK democratic landscape. Our clients’ interests and reputations are at the forefront of our approach to advising on public inquiries. We advise core participants on politically-sensitive matters, calling upon our multi-disciplinary team of subject-matter specialists to provide incisive advice, often at short notice and against a highly-scrutinised backdrop as proceedings take place in the public eye.

Our Chairman, Professor Lorne Crerar who has wide experience in the public sector, has been appointed by the Scottish Government to undertake several independent reviews. Many of our Partners and Solicitors hold external appointments in the public sector and with relevant industry groups, enhancing our understanding of the dynamics, stakeholders and relationships that exist within the public law environment. Our knowledge is deepened by colleagues who work in-house on secondments with public sector clients.

We adopt an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to include specialists in our dedicated public law, dispute resolution, projects, employment and corporate teams.