Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

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

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Bridget Dolan
1
Band 1

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.

Bridget is a guru on inquests. She knows everything there is to know.

Bridget is a very well-regarded and very respected professional. She is a robust advocate for coroners on judicial reviews.

1
Briony Ballard
1
Band 1

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.

Briony is very intelligent and thorough. Her preparation is second to none, and her advocacy hits the nail on the head.

Briony understands complex expert evidence.

1
Edward Pleeth
1
Band 1

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.

Clients love Edward and he is the go-to for anything military. He gives very clear and practical advice.

Ed is very forensic and very engaging. He understands the client and addresses them in a calm and measured way.

Ed is a very switched-on and very knowledgeable barrister.

Edward is a class act and a clever fighter. He is a very polished presenter of difficult cases.

John Beggs
1
John Beggs
1
Band 1

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.

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.

Cecily White
2
Cecily White
2
Band 2

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.

Gerard Boyle
2
Gerard Boyle
2
Band 2

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.

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.

2
Paul Spencer
2
Band 2

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.

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.

Paul is excellent in inquests and CQC sphere.

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.

2
Sarah Simcock
2
Band 2

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.

Sarah is immensely experienced in inquiries and she is very able across the board.

Sarah is hard-working and highly organised. She is able to cut through large technical evidence.

2
Scott Matthewson
2
Band 2

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.

Scott is an absolutely amazing barrister and a brilliant advocate. Clients absolutely love and trust him as he knows so much about coronial law.

Scott has vast clinical negligence experience and so is a solid pair of hands in complex cases.

3
Debra Powell KC
3
Band 3

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.

Debra is an efficient advocate.

3
Ian Skelt
3
Band 3

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.

3
Nageena Khalique
3
Band 3

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.

4
Claire Watson
4
Band 4

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.

4
Dijen Basu
4
Band 4

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.

Dijen is very authoritative and very well prepared. His presence carries a lot of weight in court.

4
Matthew Holdcroft
4
Band 4

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.

Matthew is extraordinarily well prepared and looks at every angle.

5
Aaron Rathmell
5
Band 5

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.

5
Anthony Searle
5
Band 5

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.

Anthony is really personable and really knows the clients. He has a brain the size of a planet.

5
Clare Hennessy
5
Band 5

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.

Clare is fantastic - efficient and really good with the clients.

Clare never fails to impress. She has vast knowledge, and she is great on her feet and great with witnesses.

5
Jamie Mathieson
5
Band 5

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.

Jamie was brilliant in a tricky inquest managing various challenging aspects.

Jamie carefully and succinctly obtained all of the statements and documents with ease. His written advice is clear and succinct while still being robust.

5
Laura Nash
5
Band 5

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.

I really rate Laura and her thoroughness. She works really well and is liked by clients.

5
Liam Duffy
5
Band 5

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.

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.

Liam has a very good way of picking out complex issues and thinks quickly on his feet.

Liam is well prepared, quick with papers and has good commercial awareness.

5
Michael Walsh
5
Band 5

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.

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.

U
Rachael Gourley
U
Up and Coming

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.

Rachael's advocacy was great and she was practical and empathetic with the client.

Rachael is calm and approachable and always ready to answer questions. Her written submissions are always clear, detailed and persuasive.

James Berry
James Berry
New Silks

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.

James has an excellent manner with clients and will make himself available. He has excellent attention to detail, and his advocacy is incredibly impressive.

James is really affable and does a lot of police and medical work very effectively.

Rachel Spearing
Rachel Spearing
New Silks

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.

Ranked Barristers at
Serjeants' Inn Chambers

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Inquests & Public Inquiries

1
Bridget Dolan KC
1
Band 1
John Beggs KC
1
John Beggs KC
1
Band 1
Gerard Boyle KC
2
Gerard Boyle KC
2
Band 2
3
Debra Powell KC
3
Band 3
3
Ian Skelt KC
3
Band 3
3
Nageena Khalique KC
3
Band 3
4
Claire Watson KC
4
Band 4
4
Dijen Basu KC
4
Band 4
James Berry KC
James Berry KC
New Silks
Rachel Spearing KC
Rachel Spearing KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Inquests & Public Inquiries

1
Briony Ballard
1
Band 1
1
Edward Pleeth
1
Band 1
Cecily White
2
Cecily White
2
Band 2
2
Paul Spencer
2
Band 2
2
Sarah Simcock
2
Band 2
2
Scott Matthewson
2
Band 2
4
Matthew Holdcroft
4
Band 4
5
Aaron Rathmell
5
Band 5
5
Anthony Searle
5
Band 5
5
Clare Hennessy
5
Band 5
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