Public Inquires are held when there is public concern that something has happened requiring an open, fair and thorough investigation by a body independent from the problem.
They are usually in relation to where there has been a shocking crime, where there has been loss of life, or where events that suggest a major breakdown or breach of the rule of law.
Their aim is to get to the truth of what happened as well as to learn lessons for the future. They are high profile, emotional, and usually the focus of intense media scrutiny.
Involvement in an Inquiry can be a fraught experience, whether you are an individual, campaign group, corporation or public sector body.
We can help you from start to finish through the inquiry and can assist with:
- Conducting a thorough document review
- Preparing documents and statements
- Interviewing witnesses
- Determining the extent of public access
- Protecting the rights of the people involved
- Providing legal representation at Court hearings.
You may be a witness or a core participant or you may face potential criticism when the inquiry publishes its final report.
A core participant is an individual, organisation or institution that has a specific interest in the work of the Inquiry, and has a formal role as defined by legislation.
Core participants have special rights in the Inquiry process, they
will have the advantage of being able to access the Inquiry’s evidence and engaging fully in the hearings.
Witnesses and Core Participants can apply, through their solicitors, for public funding for legal representation.
Usually wider interests will be at stake, and we can advise on those, alongside the immediate demands of the inquiry.
We will work very closely with you to gain complete insight into your situation. Your interests will be taken care of from the moment you instruct us, from initial contact with the inquiry and assisting you prepare your evidence to ensuring you are ready to appear at a hearing, and taking care of your needs throughout.
Our public/administrative law team, lead by Michael Imperato, Partner and Head of our Public Law team, have experience of advising and assisting individuals in high profile inquires including a number of historic sexual abuse inquires and the UK wide infected blood inquiry.
