Department profile
Serjeants' Inn Chambers

Inquests & Public Inquiries

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Serjeants' Inn Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Many of Serjeants' Inn Chambers' barristers have extensive experience handling inquests as well as high-profile public inquiries. Members are frequently instructed by the police, the NHS and other public bodies. Recent work includes involvement in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, Undercover Policing Inquiry, Infected Blood Inquiry and Dawn Sturgess Inquiry. Barristers from the set have also acted in inquests including those into the deaths in the Shoreham Airshow crash and the death of an asylum seeker on the Bibby Barge. Clients say: "They are the leader in this area - with excellent advocates with a wide range of experience."

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking team at Serjeants’ Inn are always friendly, efficient and accommodating.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are the best in the business: helpful, knowledgeable and approachable.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks provide timely and quick responses. Paul will always offer a solution when issues arise.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team, led by Paul Eeles, are excellent - very responsive and proactive. Tom O'Connor is very good and always available to assist with any queries that arise.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are exceptional.

    Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Bridget Dolan
    Band 1Bridget Dolan

    Bridget Dolan

    Bridget Dolan KC is a highly regarded advocate who regularly appears in complex inquests, including proceedings invoking Article 2 of the ECHR. In addition to her experience representing bereaved families and state agents, she frequently serves as counsel to the inquest. She is recognised as an authority on coronial law and is becoming a go-to choice to defend coroners' decisions in judicial review proceedings.

    • Bridget is not only excellent but also very approachable and replies quickly to enquiries.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Bridget is a guru on inquests. She knows everything there is to know.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Bridget is a very well-regarded and very respected professional. She is a robust advocate for coroners on judicial reviews.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Briony Ballard
    Band 1Briony Ballard

    Briony Ballard

    Briony Ballard predominantly acts in inquests, including Article 2 proceedings, which involve alleged or proven clinical negligence. She routinely receives instructions from healthcare professionals, NHS trusts and bereaved families. She is also adept in proceedings involving police or prison deaths, and has significant experience of inquests involving issues of mental health. She draws strength from her experience as an assistant coroner.

    • Briony has amazing drafting skills and is highly intelligent and great to work with.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Briony is very intelligent and thorough. Her preparation is second to none, and her advocacy hits the nail on the head.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Briony understands complex expert evidence.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Edward Pleeth
    Band 1Edward Pleeth

    Edward Pleeth

    Edward Pleeth has a strong track record acting for government, police or NHS clients in a broad range of high-profile inquests and public inquiries. He is renowned for his sensitive approach in matters focused on national security.

    • Edward is a very assured and polished advocate. He displays a depth of knowledge and a definite confidence in procedure.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Clients love Edward and he is the go-to for anything military. He gives very clear and practical advice.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Ed is very forensic and very engaging. He understands the client and addresses them in a calm and measured way.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Ed is a very switched-on and very knowledgeable barrister.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Edward is a class act and a clever fighter. He is a very polished presenter of difficult cases.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1John Beggs
    Band 1John Beggs

    John Beggs

    John Beggs KC is a standout silk who typically acts for police forces facing considerable scrutiny in inquests which attract major publicity, and as core participants in public inquiries. He habitually advises on the adequacy of police investigations, as well as deaths resulting from actions or omissions made by the police.

    • John is a fiery and extremely able cross-examiner.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • John is an excellent tactician. He fights for his clients aggressively when needed but is reflective and careful so as to ensure that we remain focused on the objective.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Cecily White
    Band 2Cecily White

    Cecily White

    Cecily White is a barrister with notable experience acting in sensitive jury inquests and public inquiries. She represents NHS trusts and police forces.

    • Cecily is excellent with officers and really knowledgeable in her area of practice.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Gerard Boyle
    Band 2Gerard Boyle

    Gerard Boyle

    Gerard Boyle KC has considerable experience of handling high-profile inquests and public inquiries. He is routinely called upon by police forces and health services, including NHS trusts.

    • Gerry can turn his hand to anything.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Gerry's careful cross-examination of witnesses is a masterclass, and his written work is meticulous both in style and attention to detail. He gives realistic and pragmatic advice.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Paul Spencer
    Band 2Paul Spencer

    Paul Spencer

    Paul Spencer is well known for his handling of complex inquests arising out of health and social care. He receives instructions from NHS trusts, care homes, psychiatric hospitals, regulatory bodies, doctors and others. He is also capable of handling parallel disciplinary actions.

    • Paul is to the point and a very effective examiner.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Paul is fantastic and I always feel reassured when we have him on board. He has a wealth of experience and clients really like him.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Paul is excellent in inquests and CQC sphere.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Paul is a very accomplished advocate and provides sage advice. He works incredibly hard to get the best outcome for clients and adapts his advice to suit specific demands.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Sarah Simcock
    Band 2Sarah Simcock

    Sarah Simcock

    Sarah Simcock has a busy inquest practice and is a popular choice of barrister with police forces, NHS clients or private companies. Among notable recent instructions, she has acted as first junior counsel to the Brook House Inquiry.

    • Sarah is highly recommended. She has really sound judgement and thinks practically about problems.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Sarah is immensely experienced in inquiries and she is very able across the board.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Sarah is hard-working and highly organised. She is able to cut through large technical evidence.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Scott Matthewson
    Band 2Scott Matthewson

    Scott Matthewson

    Scott Matthewson focuses predominantly on representing private contractors in inquests arising from deaths in prisons. He has considerable expertise in Article 2 jury inquests and those involving clinical negligence and health and safety violations.

    • Scott is very personable, highly intelligent and has exceptional legal ability.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Scott is an absolutely amazing barrister and a brilliant advocate. Clients absolutely love and trust him as he knows so much about coronial law.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Scott has vast clinical negligence experience and so is a solid pair of hands in complex cases.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Debra Powell
    Band 3Debra Powell

    Debra Powell

    Debra Powell KC is a popular barrister for inquests concerning clinical negligence and police law. She habitually represents bereaved families, healthcare professionals, NHS trusts and other state agents. Her broad practice sees her appearing in public inquiries concerning healthcare or historic child abuse.

    • Debra is a fearless barrister. She is great on any medical treatment case or inquest.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Debra is an efficient advocate.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Ian Skelt
    Band 3Ian Skelt

    Ian Skelt

    Ian Skelt KC's inquest practice focuses on deaths concerning police operations. He has been instructed in several inquests arising from the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

    • Ian is an excellent barrister.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Nageena Khalique
    Band 3Nageena Khalique

    Nageena Khalique

    Nageena Khalique KC is a highly respected silk who has a busy practice in medical inquests and those concerning deaths in psychiatric care.

    • Nageena didn't back down on a very difficult brief. She gets on with the job.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Claire Watson
    Band 4Claire Watson

    Claire Watson

    Claire Watson KC is well versed in Article 2 inquests, typically involving complex and sensitive issues such as mental health and the adequacy of medical care. Her clients include NHS trusts, bereaved families and police forces.

    • Claire has an excellent eye for detail and precision and gets on top of volume of materials strategically. She is relied upon by coroners for her clear advocacy and pragmatism.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Dijen Basu
    Band 4Dijen Basu

    Dijen Basu

    Dijen Basu KC is an experienced barrister who is regularly instructed in a broad range of inquests. His areas of expertise in this field include inquests arising from police operations and mental health settings.

    • Dijen is patient and careful with his advice to clients.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Dijen is very authoritative and very well prepared. His presence carries a lot of weight in court.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Kevin Baumber
    Band 4Kevin Baumber

    Kevin Baumber

    Kevin Baumber is a police law specialist barrister who brings considerable expertise to inquest work owing to his role as assistant coroner for Hertfordshire. He focuses his practice in particular on Article 2 inquests arising from deaths in police custody or otherwise involving the police.

    • Kevin is outstandingly bright. He is massively well prepared and an excellent cross-examiner.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Kevin is a very succinct and majestic advocate to listen to.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Matthew Holdcroft
    Band 4Matthew Holdcroft

    Matthew Holdcroft

    Matthew Holdcroft is admired as a thoroughly modern barrister who can be relied upon to find the right tone in the most sensitive cases. He is a firm favourite of police forces and additionally represents the NHS in high-profile inquests and public inquiries.

    • Matt's advocacy skills are excellent, and his careful cross-examination of witnesses was appreciated by our client.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Matthew is extraordinarily well prepared and looks at every angle.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Patricia Londono
    Band 4Patricia Londono

    Patricia Londono

    Patricia Londono is trusted by coroners and central government departments to act in high-profile inquest and inquiry proceedings. She has acted in the counsel team of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and for the Metropolitan Police in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

    • Patricia Londono does excellent drafting and analysis work.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Patricia is strong academically, thorough and diligent. She has a great ability to marshal a lot of evidence into a cohesive narrative.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Aaron Rathmell
    Band 5Aaron Rathmell

    Aaron Rathmell

    Aaron Rathmell is a junior barrister who is well placed to handle Article 2 inquests. He regularly represents police in a range of inquests.

    • Aaron always goes the extra mile to ensure any valid position is robustly defended.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Anthony Searle
    Band 5Anthony Searle

    Anthony Searle

    Anthony Searle is notably experienced in the representation of bereaved families in medical inquests. He has also represented NHS trusts in inquests.

    • Anthony did a very good job of briefing nervous witnesses on giving evidence.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Anthony is really personable and really knows the clients. He has a brain the size of a planet.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Clare Hennessy
    Band 5Clare Hennessy

    Clare Hennessy

    Clare Hennessy has a broad inquest practice with expertise in representing police forces, medical professionals and NHS trusts.

    • Clare says the right things at the right time. She is a clear and comprehensive oral advocate.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Clare is fantastic - efficient and really good with the clients.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Clare never fails to impress. She has vast knowledge, and she is great on her feet and great with witnesses.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Jamie Mathieson
    Band 5Jamie Mathieson

    Jamie Mathieson

    Jamie Mathieson acts for families and medical practitioners in complex inquests, specialising in deaths in medical contexts, particularly involving deprivation of liberty.

    • He is a pleasure to work with and was excellent at a very difficult inquest.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Jamie was brilliant in a tricky inquest managing various challenging aspects.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Jamie carefully and succinctly obtained all of the statements and documents with ease. His written advice is clear and succinct while still being robust.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Laura Nash
    Band 5Laura Nash

    Laura Nash

    Laura Nash is a well-regarded barrister and assistant coroner with a broad practice in inquest law. She has notable strength in police and prison matters and health and safety issues. She represents coroners, the bereaved and various individuals whose actions are under scrutiny.

    • Laura's advice is always of an exceptionally high standard. It is well structured, clear and necessarily detailed.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • I really rate Laura and her thoroughness. She works really well and is liked by clients.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Liam Duffy
    Band 5Liam Duffy

    Liam Duffy

    Liam Duffy is frequently instructed in Article 2 inquests in prison and medical contexts. He represents bereaved families, NHS trusts and medical professionals.

    • Liam navigated unusual and challenging issues with decorum and sensitivity. He put the family at ease and they trusted him to seek the answers they were looking for.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Liam is a very good advocate and he has excellent client care skills. He is a safe pair of hands and regularly instructed in inquests.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Liam has a very good way of picking out complex issues and thinks quickly on his feet.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Liam is well prepared, quick with papers and has good commercial awareness.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingRachael Gourley
    Up and ComingRachael Gourley

    Rachael Gourley

    Rachael Gourley attracts ample praise for her robust representation of bereaved families in inquests arising from mental health issues and clinical negligence.

    • Rachael's questions are thorough and her drafting is beautiful. She is passionate and she goes to a lot of effort to prepare her cases.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Rachael's advocacy was great and she was practical and empathetic with the client.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Rachael is calm and approachable and always ready to answer questions. Her written submissions are always clear, detailed and persuasive.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksJames Berry
    New SilksJames Berry

    James Berry

    James Berry KC is favoured by a number of police forces for advice and representation in major public inquiries and Article 2 inquests.

    • James is wise, committed and excellent on paper.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • James has an excellent manner with clients and will make himself available. He has excellent attention to detail, and his advocacy is incredibly impressive.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • James is really affable and does a lot of police and medical work very effectively.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksMichael Walsh
    New SilksMichael Walsh

    Michael Walsh

    Michael Walsh is a skilled advocate for various parties involved in inquests predominantly in the context of mental health. He is instructed by bereaved families, local authorities and health boards.

    • Michael is a brave and tenacious advocate. He is very thorough and very on top of his brief.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
    • Michael is very strong in inquest matters. He is robust in written and oral submissions while maintaining a rapport with coroners, families and witnesses alike.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksRachel Spearing
    New SilksRachel Spearing

    Rachel Spearing

    Rachel Spearing KC is well versed in inquests and inquiries; she is instructed as counsel to the inquest and routinely represents police forces in high-profile public inquiries. She has been instructed by the UK Health Security Agency in the COVID-19 Inquiry.

    • Rachel demonstrated an amazing ability to handle various witnesses in a highly sensitive inquest.

      Inquests & Public Inquiries respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Serjeants' Inn Chambers (27)

London (Bar)

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