Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Temple Garden Chambers is sought out to provide counsel to the inquiry or to represent public authorities, private entities or family members in high-profile inquests and inquiries. The "experienced and robust" barristers have been instructed as counsel to the inquiry in high-profile inquiries such as the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry, as well as taking notable roles in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Undercover Policing Inquiry. They have represented interested parties in inquests including those relating to the Forbury Gardens attacks and the King Power Stadium helicopter crash. Members are noted for having "extensive and impressive experience as counsel to inquiries and counsel to inquests, as well as representing core participants".

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Andrew O'Connor
Andrew O'Connor
Star Individuals

Andrew O'Connor KC is incredibly knowledgeable about inquests and public inquiries. He typically acts on behalf of state agents and other interested parties in inquests of national and international significance. He is well versed in matters involving questions of national security and is adept at advising coroners when serving as counsel to the inquiry.

Andrew is a star in public inquiries.

Andrew is a well-established silk and a go-to on any public law inquiry. He has lots of gravitas and experience, especially with regard to sensitive issues.

Andrew is my go-to silk for inquests and public inquiries. He is really user-friendly, strategic and practical.

Andrew is extremely collegiate and collaborative.

1
Cathryn McGahey
1
Band 1

Cathryn McGahey KC demonstrates great aptitude when appearing on behalf of core participants in public inquiries. She is a skilled representative of state agents in inquests and has a particular focus on proceedings involving deaths in custody. She has developed a specialism in cases concerning child protection.

Cathryn is extremely tenacious and experienced.

Keith Morton
1
Keith Morton
1
Band 1

Keith Morton KC is a superb choice for inquests involving health and safety law, particularly in the context of aviation accidents. He represents regulators, businesses, local authorities, individuals and bereaved families.

Keith is an assistant coroner himself so he knows the cardinal rules inside out. He is a really great advocate and has the right touch for inquests.

Keith immediately deals with issues in an extremely authoritative and smooth manner.

Keith is one of the best at dealing with expert evidence.

1
Nicholas Moss
1
Band 1

Nicholas Moss KC is an exceptional barrister who is regarded as one of the best advocates of his generation. He is much sought after to act as lead counsel in complex Article 2 inquests and public inquiries. He is particularly strong in inquests arising out of military and prison deaths, and adept in matters involving issues of national security.

Nicholas has an exceptional grasp of detail and works exceptionally hard. His manner is non-confrontational but effective.

Nicholas is immensely hard-working, silky smooth in court and a fantastic questioner of witnesses.

He is incredibly thorough, detailed and extremely reliable.

Nicholas is a fantastic and detail-oriented barrister.

Nick is one of the most impressive barristers. He is meticulous, always prepared and has superb advocacy.

David Barr
2
David Barr
2
Band 2

David Barr KC receives instructions in a wide range of inquests and public inquiries, frequently acting as counsel to the inquiry. He has been lead counsel to the Undercover Police Inquiry since 2015.

David is highly efficient, very thorough and in command in the courtroom.

2
Nicholas Chapman
2
Band 2

Nicholas Chapman is a member of the Attorney General's A Panel. He has been instructed by central government bodies in most of the key public inquiries recently undertaken.

Nick is an exceptional team leader, which sets him apart. He is strategic, unflappable and understands how to land points with different audiences.

Nick is good at reading the room and helping his clients meaningfully.

Nick is so good at listening; he asks the important questions and he achieves results. He has such a good tactical sense and so he hits the right tone - it is an art.

Dominic Adamson
3
Dominic Adamson
3
Band 3

Dominic Adamson KC has significant experience in inquests and public inquiries relating to health and safety matters. He frequently acts on behalf of bereaved families, independent businesses or local authorities in such cases.

Dominic's advocacy is some of the best I've seen. He also has a very good client manner and explains things well in lay terms.

Dominic is enormously effective in court. His lovely personality is really backed up with his preparedness, incisiveness and intellect.

Dominic is a smooth and very polished operator. He is very calm under pressure and he really knows his stuff.

4
Richard Boyle
4
Band 4

Richard Boyle has a breadth of public inquiry and inquest experience. He has been instructed as counsel to the inquest and acted on behalf of government departments in high-profile inquiries.

Richard grasps core issues and his submissions are always succinct. He always gives confidence in his approach.

Richard is consistently operating at a level above his years in terms of his poise, understanding and judgement.

Richard is hugely experienced in inquiry work.

Richard is a standout junior. He is an absolute joy to work with, really intelligent and sensible.

4
Saoirse Townshend
4
Band 4

Saoirse Townshend is a highly talented barrister who frequently represents central government departments in a variety of high-profile public inquiries, recently including the Brook House and COVID-19 Inquiries.

Saoirse is extremely hard-working.

Saoirse is a very impressive barrister with leading roles in hearings.

4
Susan Jones
4
Band 4

Susan Jones is a talented inquests barrister who is highly skilled in sensitive matters examining deaths occurring in various circumstances, including where there are allegations of medical negligence. Her practice touches on complex issues such as mental health.

Susan was a standout advocate - her presence, her judgement and her ability to navigate a complex environment with both clarity and authority were exceptional.

Susan is very self-assured and presents very compelling arguments.

5
Emilie Pottle
5
Band 5

Emilie Pottle has notable experience in public inquiries including acting for government bodies. She also represents interested parties facing scrutiny in inquests.

Emilie has a good eye for detail.

She is talented beyond her years and is very experienced with witness handling. She has a measured, calm and persuasive court style.

Emilie is an extremely confident courtroom advocate.

5
Sian Reeves
5
Band 5

Sian Reeves represents a broad range of interested persons at complex inquests.

Sian is a clever advocate. She manages to make complex issues seem straightforward.

Sian is a well-prepared barrister and ensured nothing was missed.

Harriet Gilchrist
U
Harriet Gilchrist
U
Up and Coming

Harriet Gilchrist is recognised for her appearances in high-profile public inquiries and inquests. She is particularly adept at handling matters involving police custody issues and clinical negligence.

Harriet explains things methodically and is good with attention to detail.

Harriet takes care to ensure that the client's needs are well represented. She undertakes an impressive amount of preparation and is quick on her feet.

Harriet is very hard-working and has good tactical judgement.

Ranked Barristers at
Temple Garden Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Inquests & Public Inquiries

Andrew O'Connor KC
Andrew O'Connor KC
Star Individuals
1
Cathryn McGahey KC
1
Band 1
Keith Morton KC
1
Keith Morton KC
1
Band 1
1
Nicholas Moss KC
1
Band 1
David Barr KC
2
David Barr KC
2
Band 2
Dominic Adamson KC
3
Dominic Adamson KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Inquests & Public Inquiries

2
Nicholas Chapman
2
Band 2
4
Richard Boyle
4
Band 4
4
Saoirse Townshend
4
Band 4
4
Susan Jones
4
Band 4
5
Emilie Pottle
5
Band 5
5
Sian Reeves
5
Band 5
Harriet Gilchrist
U
Harriet Gilchrist
U
Up and Coming