Inquests & Public Inquiries

Craig Hassall KC is instructed for bereaved families and institutional clients in large-scale inquests and inquiries. He has substantial experience in matters concerning health and safety or medical issues.

Janine Wolstenholme has substantial experience acting on behalf of government bodies in inquests. She is particularly adept in matters involving deaths in prison, or scrutinising the decisions of the National Probation Service. Wolstenholme sits as assistant coroner for West Yorkshire (Eastern) and Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.

Kate Wilson has particular strengths in inquests involving complex medical issues and expert evidence. She has been instructed by the Ministry of Justice in Article 2 inquests, as well as acting for families, local authorities and other parties. She is appointed as an assistant coroner for Liverpool and Wirral and a deputy district judge of the North Eastern Circuit.

Kirsten Mercer is joint head of Park Square Barristers' inquest team. She is highly sought after by government departments to provide counsel in relation to inquests, typically involving the management of prison services or probation. Mercer sits as assistant coroner for Newcastle and North Tyneside and Northumberland (North and South).

Richard Wright KC is a heavyweight silk in the North East region. He offers significant experience in high-profile inquests and public inquiries, bringing to bear his broader skill set, which includes crime and health and safety. He has recently been instructed as part of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry counsel team and has previously acted in the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

Simon Connolly has developed a substantial practice in the area. He is regularly sought out to act in Article 2 inquests and is instructed by public and private bodies, with recent work for care providers and the police. He sits as an assistant coroner for County Durham and Darlington.

Matthew Stanbury offers a diverse set of experience including acting for families in prison or care-related inquests and in 'justice after acquittal' cases. Alongside this, Stanbury sits as an assistant coroner in South Yorkshire East (Doncaster).

Caroline Wood earns plaudits for her representation of both bereaved families and defendants in inquests. A significant portion of her practice pertains to deaths occurring in or around healthcare units. She has notable experience appearing in jury and Article 2 inquests.

Holly Clegg draws upon her regulatory and public law practice to represent local authorities, the police and prison healthcare facilities in various inquests. She has experience handling Article 2 inquests and those involving a jury, frequently acting as sole lead counsel.

Robert Stevenson has developed a strong practice within the field of inquests and public inquiries, alongside his specialism as a regulatory advocate. He often acts for HSE or other interested parties at the Coroner’s Court in connection with inquests into death.

Joseph Hudson is increasingly recognised for his involvement in high-profile inquiries, such as the Undercover Policing and UK COVID-19 Inquiries. He has also engaged in a variety of coronial cases from road accidents to care home incidents.