Department profile
Leigh Day

Inquests

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Share profile

Leigh Day

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Inquests - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Leigh Day has a wide array of expertise in handling both inquests and public inquiries. The team has substantial expertise representing bereaved families in some of the most complex and high-profile inquest proceedings. It also handles major instructions on behalf of core participants to a public inquiry. The firm has handled matters including the Infected Blood and Undercover Policing inquiries, as well as inquests touching on deaths of prisoners, maternity and baby deaths, and food safety and allergies.
View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Leigh Day were instructed by mother of the late Beth Langton in relation to the inquest into Beth’s death, concerning her ingesting a poisonous substance that she ordered online.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We approached Leigh Day and within minutes we knew we had made the right choice with their sheer professionalism and dedication and compassion in dealing with parents.

    Inquests respondentUK

  • The firm provides excellent client care with excellent people and a very 'client first' ethos. The team has great breadth of experience covering a range of inquests. It is a pleasure to work with.

    Inquests respondentUK

  • Leigh Day is a generally fantastic firm for inquests work and related JR and public law cases. It always has high quality lawyers.

    Inquests respondentUK

  • Leigh Day is very diligent and hard-working; lawyers identify the key issues, and make astute strategic decisions. They are exceptionally able at managing complex matters.

    Inquests respondentUK

  • The whole team has gone above and beyond for us, nothing has been to much for them. We would never choose any other team in the world. They are relatable, human, and easy to approach.

    Inquests respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Merry Varney
    Merry Varney

    Merry Varney

    Merry Varney is highly regarded for her representation of bereaved families at inquests. She has particular expertise in representing vulnerable children, adults and patients. Varney's recent work has included acting for the families of Jodey Whiting and Luke Ashton at the inquests into their deaths.

    • Merry Varney is one of the most important names in this space, a star. Everyone knows her, she has been in this area for all of her career.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Merry runs a huge case load and is known as a top lawyer. She has huge strategic oversight.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Merry is the Don of Inquests. She is tenacious, brilliant and deeply committed to her clients. She manages to be on top of all her cases at all times, she builds deep and trusting relationships.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Merry is a dedicated professional with excellent knowledge of gambling and wider issues.

      Inquests respondentUK
    View profile
  • Anna Moore
    Anna Moore

    Anna Moore

    Anna Moore is a partner in the human rights team at Leigh Day. She has experience acting in high profile inquests. Anna has particular experience representing clients at inquest related to deaths of children and mental health.

    • Anna is an excellent lawyer with amazing client care skills.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Anna is a thought leader in the work she does. She is driven, capable and excellent.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Anna Moore does a lot of high profile inquest work and human rights work. She is incredibly good, solid, effective, runs it very effectively, very soft approach but determined. Her style works well.

      Inquests respondentUK
    View profile
  • Caleb Bawdon
    Caleb Bawdon

    Caleb Bawdon

    Caleb Bawdon is an associate solicitor in the human rights department. His specialisms lie in inquests that involve online harms such as suicide forums and poison ordered online used in suicides.

    • Caleb is incredibly efficient, impeccably prepared. I've been really impressed with his insights and his thoughtfulness in approaching his cases given he is so junior.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Caleb is a rising star. He is detail-oriented, builds incredible strong and compassionate relationships with his clients, and has a real head for case strategy.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Caleb is an up and coming star.

      Inquests respondentUK
    View profile
  • Dan Webster
    Dan Webster

    Dan Webster

    Associate Dan Webster is part of the human rights team at Leigh Day. He regularly represents bereaved families at inquest, particularly those involving gambling-related suicides.

    • I've seen the work of Dan Webster who is very good. A rising star in this area.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Dan has a tenacious approach to all the cases he does. Even when faced by the surliest, most stubborn coroners, he maintains a focused enthusiasm for the work.

      Inquests respondentUK

    • Dan is absolutely exceptional, never had to edit his drafting. He is quick and has good judgement.

      Inquests respondentUK
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Leigh Day (4)

UK-wide

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership