Inquests & Public Inquiries | UK Bar

1 Crown Office Row is well known in the inquests and inquiries field for having excellent barristers at all levels of seniority, who are renowned for handling central roles in extremely high-profile cases. Recent work highlights include counsel to the inquiry instructions in the COVID-19 Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Undercover Policing Inquiry, and key roles in the Thirlwall Inquiry. Barristers have acted in numerous difficult inquests, including the Reading Terror Attack Inquest. Clients include public bodies such as government departments, police forces and councils, as well as doctors, private individuals and the bereaved. An interviewee notes: "It is a broad and highly skilled set involved in many of the high-profile inquests and inquiries."

5 Essex Chambers has an extremely strong bench of seasoned experts who are consistently involved in the highest-profile inquests and public inquiries. The barristers are praised by one source as "experts in their fields", and serve a broad client base including NHS trusts, local authorities and government departments, and frequently act for coroners or inquiry chairs. Members have an especially strong following among police forces. Recent work includes key roles in the UK COVID-19, Post Office Horizon IT and Infected Blood Inquiries. Sources further remark: "5 Essex has a wide range of expertise and different levels of counsel to suit different cases."

Doughty Street Chambers has an established reputation as a leader in the field of inquests and inquiries. One source highlights the "large number of brilliant and experienced barristers". Members of the set have substantial experience in extremely high-profile matters, typically representing victims and bereaved family members, or acting as counsel to the inquiry. The chambers is praised as a "leading set with particular expertise in representing core participants". The barristers' expertise covers a range of areas including mental health, and police and prison law. Recent work includes notable instructions in the Lampard Inquiry, the Undercover Policing Inquiry, the inquest into the death of Sean Fitzgerald and the COVID-19 Inquiry.

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."

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".

3 Raymond Buildings offers considerable expertise in handling inquests as a result of its longstanding practice in this area. The set draws strength from its criminal and regulatory experience in matters involving policing, crime or terrorism. Recently, members have been involved in numerous high-profile cases including the Harry Dunn and Oladeji Omishore inquests, and the Grenfell Tower, Undercover Policing and Dawn Sturgess Inquiries. Hugo Keith KC has been appointed lead counsel to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry. The barristers frequently act on behalf of police officers and other emergency services. Clients note: "The concentration of clever, focused and dedicated counsel, all in one set, allows for seamless service."

39 Essex Chambers has a robust inquest and public inquiries practice. The barristers have wide experience representing core participants and are also instructed by coroners and as counsel to the inquiry. One client notes the members are "great with strategy, thinking outside the box in complex cases". The set acts for public and government bodies, commercial clients and bereaved families. Key instructions include significant roles in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Renowned for its sensitive but robust representation of bereaved families, Garden Court Chambers has retained a strong reputation in inquests and public inquiries. The set represents the bereaved in matters examining the actions or inactions of the police and other public authorities. Members have acted in numerous high-profile cases including the UK COVID-19 Inquiry and Undercover Police Inquiry. One source notes: "They diligently explore issues, advocate with care in order to provide a voice for those whose voices can no longer be heard, and exhaust all potential avenues on behalf of their clients fearlessly in the pursuit of justice."

Colin Cook is the director of clerking.

Matrix Chambers is a strong choice to represent the bereaved at inquests and non-state core participants in public inquiries. A client praises the set's "incredibly experienced seniors, with a brilliant selection of juniors who are following in their footsteps". The set's standing in public and human rights law makes it a go-to chambers for Article 2 inquests or related judicial reviews. Highlights include acting for more than 300 survivors and bereaved families in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry; members have also been involved in the COVID-19 Inquiry and more recently in the inquest of Sir David Amess.

Elizabeth Bousher is the senior practice manager.

2 Hare Court has a noted specialism in inquests and has been involved in public inquiries including the Post Office Horizon IT, Manchester Arena and Grenfell Tower Inquiries. The set's barristers typically act for corporate entities in such matters, although they are also instructed by government or the NHS, or as counsel to the inquiry. Members offer considerable experience acting in a wide range of inquests, including those into deaths in workplace, care and medical settings. One solicitor notes: "2 Hare Court has an exceptional group of reliable inquest practitioners at all levels."

Crown Office Chambers possesses a robust practice in public inquiries and inquests, with members generally acting for companies or public bodies. Barristers from the set have a strong track record in a wide range of matters, including inquests concerning deaths in custody, and those arising from accidents in numerous contexts including on construction sites and at care homes. One source praises the set for the "large number of individuals with niche specialisms", while another comments that they are "highly knowledgeable, approachable and always appreciate the bigger picture". Renowned for its health and safety expertise, the set can boast considerable experience in corresponding criminal regulatory and civil proceedings arising from inquests. Key instructions include significant roles in the Grenfell Tower and Post Office Horizon IT Inquiries.

James Wilkinson is the senior clerk.

Henderson Chambers is noted for its impressive depth and breadth of expertise in inquests and inquiries, in which it tends to act for corporate clients, as well as public bodies. Members' health and safety knowledge means they are well placed to act for clients in matters involving rail and transport safety, and construction workplace deaths. Several of the barristers have been instructed in the Grenfell Tower and other notable public inquiries. Clients describe Henderson Chambers' barristers as being "unfailingly commercially focused, understanding the client's perspective and always advising strategically."

Jason Housden is chambers director.

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.