Department profile
QEB Hollis Whiteman

Inquests & Public Inquiries

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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QEB Hollis Whiteman

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

QEB Hollis Whiteman has an impressive breadth of expertise in the field of public inquiries and inquests. The "high-quality" members give "exceptional advice and service" and often act for public bodies, private companies and the bereaved. The set has strengths advising on medical, policing and military matters. Recent highlights include instructions in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Lampard Inquiry and the Steven Dymond inquest.

Chris Emmings is the senior clerk.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Faye is great - charming and proactive.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

  • QEB Hollis's clerks are really knowledgeable and dynamic. They are great at knowing who is best for a particular type of job.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks are absolutely excellent. All of them are quick and responsive and willing to help. They respond straight away and send someone to sort it out.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Nicholas Griffin
    Nicholas Griffin

    Nicholas Griffin

    Nicholas Griffin KC is regularly involved in significant public inquiries on behalf of core participants. He has also appeared as an expert witness in such matters. His inquiries practice extends beyond England and includes significant instructions in Jersey and Northern Ireland.

    • You would definitely want Nicholas on your team. He is a very strong and persuasive advocate; he is very measured, pragmatic and effective.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • Nicholas Griffin KC works very hard and provides really sound advice, and he is a great support to me.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • Nicholas has legal brilliance and a sharp academic mind, and he is very approachable to everyone on the team. He explains complex issues in a pragmatic way.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • Nicholas Griffin KC is very clever. He is someone who is very good at making sure his clients' voices are heard.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
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  • Thomas Coke-Smyth
    Thomas Coke-Smyth

    Thomas Coke-Smyth

    Thomas Coke-Smyth has an active inquests practice, in which he frequently acts for bereaved families. His inquests work often involves complex medical evidence.

    • Thomas Coke-Smyth is super intelligent and super practical. He was great on the technical aspects. Clients really like his directness, and he gives you what you need.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • Thomas Coke-Smyth is a consummate professional who is well prepared, thorough and measured. He is highly effective, and he wins over the tribunal and earns their trust.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • Thomas is very pragmatic, very efficient and, ultimately, a safe pair of hands. You really want him on your side.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • Thomas is immensely polite while always coming across as authoritative, inspiring confidence in clients and giving him strong powers of persuasion when it comes to the judge.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • He is a really smooth operator. Thomas fights hard but in a persuasive and reasonable way.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
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  • Tom Kark
    Tom Kark

    Tom Kark

    Tom Kark KC appears in a wide array of public inquiries and inquests, including matters relating to healthcare, health and safety, and police conduct. His criminal law background means he is well suited to jury inquests.

    • Tom Kark KC is very professional and courteous. His knowledge and attention to detail are impeccable.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
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  • Charlotte Godber
    Charlotte Godber

    Charlotte Godber

    Charlotte Godber has been involved in a number of the most high-profile inquiries. She has attracted instructions as counsel to the inquiry and representing core participants.

    • Charlotte Godber is well known in the area. She has good strategic judgement and she is authoritative.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

    • Charlotte is very astute and thinks outside the box. She is solution-oriented and brings great knowledge to the area.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
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  • Susannah Stevens
    Susannah Stevens

    Susannah Stevens

    Susannah Stevens appears on behalf of medical practitioners or police officers in complex inquests. She brings notable expertise to cases involving complex medical evidence.

    • Susannah Stevens is a very good advocate on her feet, dealing with moving goalposts.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at QEB Hollis Whiteman (5)

London (Bar)

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