Public Inquiries | UK

Eversheds Sutherland is highly regarded for its depth of experience representing core participants and other interested parties in public inquiries. The firm is also well-known for advising those conducting public inquiries through acting in the role of solicitor to the inquiry.

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 Thirlwall Inquiry, Dawn Sturgess and UK COVID-19 inquiries.

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, Lampard and Grenfell Tower inquiries.

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

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer 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 sophisticated administrative and public law offering.

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 Post Office Horizon IT and Grenfell Tower inquiries, as well as the inquest into the death of Wayne Hurren who died whilst imprisoned at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.

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.

Bindmans houses a respected team with experience handling a range of complex inquests and public inquiries. It offers particular expertise in inquests involving deaths related to mental health and gender recognition. The group is highly experienced in representing bereaved family members.

Burges Salmon houses a substantial team of practitioners known for tackling high-profile public inquiries. It regularly advises both government departments and corporate clients.

Harper Macleod houses a respected team with experience handling highly sensitive and complex public inquiries particularly based in Scotland. The team regularly acts on behalf of core participants including government departments and local authorities.

Innovo Law is notable for its representation of clients in high-profile public inquiries based in Scotland and the rest of the UK. The team is particularly well-established in the commercial sector with further notable experience in advising charities in cases.

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.

PA Duffy & Co is a distinguished team of public inquiry practitioners based in Northern Ireland with strength in highly sensitive public inquiries. The firm has recently acted on matters including the Omagh Bombing and Billy Kenneally Inquiries.