Public Inquiries | UK

Fieldfisher is prominent for its depth of experience representing various parties in connection with public inquiries. The firm is particularly adept at acting in the role of solicitor to the inquiry, but is equally strong at representing core participants and witnesses. Recent instructions the firm has handled include acting on the Manchester Arena, Dawn Sturgess and Grenfell Tower inquiries.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a solid reputation for its representation of a range of public and commercial sector clients in significant public inquiries. The firm's practice is strengthened by its market-leading administrative and public law offering.

Kingsley Napley is renowned for its ability to advise core participants and key witnesses in connection with a variety of public inquiries. The firm's depth of expertise in the complementary area of public law assists the firm in navigating complex inquiries law.

Addleshaw Goddard has a variety of experience in representing core participants in connection with high-profile inquiries. The firm's client base includes corporate entities, families and governmental bodies, among others. The team brings its extensive health and safety expertise to bear in order to support clients in public inquiries.

Bevan Brittan advises a variety of healthcare, charitable and independent organisations in connection with complex, highly sensitive inquests. It also fields multi-disciplinary teams to advise clients such as regulators, healthcare bodies and government authorities in connection with high-profile public inquiries. In addition, the firm benefits clients with its strong offering of employed barristers and solicitor advocates.

Bhatt Murphy has a substantial presence acting for clients in connection with both inquests and public inquiries. The firm predominantly represents bereaved families and NGOs. It has particular expertise handling matters where deaths occur following police or state contact, as well as deaths which occur through self-harm. Recent matters the firm have handled include the Sheku Bayoh, Jermaine Baker and Grenfell Tower inquiries.

Brodies boasts noteworthy experience in representing clients in high-profile inquiries based in Scotland and in the UK. The firm acts for a wide variety of clientele including charitable and independent organisations, central and local government bodies, and commercial clients.

Hodge Jones & Allen is heavily experienced in representing core participants in a wide variety of high-profile public inquiries. The firm also has deep expertise handling inquests on behalf of bereaved families following deaths in contexts such as immigration detention, military deaths or police custody, among others. It has recently acted on matters including the Undercover Policing and Grenfell Tower inquiries, as well as the Fishmongers' Hall inquests.

Hudgell Solicitors is well known for its broad inquests and public inquiries practice. The firm is notable for its representation of bereaved families in high-profile public inquiries including the Post Office Horizon IT and UK Covid-19 inquiries.

Leigh Day has a wide array of expertise in handling both inquests and public inquiries. The team has substantial expertise representing bereaved families in some of the most complex and high-profile inquest proceedings. It also handles major instructions on behalf of core participants to a public inquiry. The firm has handled matters including the Infected Blood and Undercover Policing inquiries, as well as inquests touching on deaths of prisoners, maternity and baby deaths, and food safety and allergies.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts has notable experience appearing in high-profile inquiries across England and Scotland. The firm represents a range of clients including government departments, as well as private organisations. It is also able to provide clients with the benefit of in-house counsel to conduct advocacy during public inquiries. In November 2023 Morton Fraser and MacRoberts merged, the combined firm is called Morton Fraser MacRoberts.