Harriet Gilchrist

Harriet specialises in Inquests & Inquiries and Criminal Regulatory Law.

Harriet has extensive inquest experience. She is frequently instructed in Article 2 and Jury inquests for a range of Interested Persons and as Counsel to the Inquest.

Harriet is regularly instructed by individuals, organisations and Government Departments in matters involving deaths in medical settings, care homes, custody and state detention (prison and under the Mental Health Act), fires, at work, accidents, drowning, suicide and in restraint related deaths. Harriet has also acted on behalf of the Family in cases involving unlawful killing and coronial neglect.

Harriet is often instructed to provide advice on matters such as: whether the State’s enhanced investigatory obligation is engaged under Article 2 in inquest proceedings and on conclusions and causation. She is adept at formulating legal arguments in relation to these matters.

Harriet has been instructed in many high profile, complex and data-heavy inquiries, including those touching upon national security. Her recent instructions include:

• The Covid-19 Inquiry;

• The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan;

• The Undercover Policing Inquiry;

• The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry; and

• The Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Harriet has experience acting as Junior Counsel for both the Inquiry and for Core Participants.

Please visit the Temple Garden Chambers website for Harriet’s profile, which sets out full details of her practice.