Inquests & Public Inquiries

Alison Hewitt stands out for her expertise in high-profile inquests. She is instructed by coroners and interested parties in matters involving police law, professional discipline and clinical and mental health. She also serves as the Senior Coroner for the City of London and routinely represents coroners in public law challenges.

"Alison has great judgement and she is really impressive as an advocate. She knows the law inside and out."

"Alison is the guru on inquests. She really knows her stuff."

"She prepares the case in such intense detail and she really presses for answers."

"Alison is quietly incisive in her questioning, which is impressive."

Jason Beer KC is a true trailblazer in the field of public inquiries: having penned the seminal text on the subject, he continues to pick up a plethora of key instructions in many of the most prominent inquiries undertaken, acting as counsel to the inquiry or for the police or central government departments.

"Jason presents an excellent grasp of difficult factual and legal scenarios while being able to present those difficulties in an easy-to-understand manner."

"Jason is very hard-working and he has got very good judgement. He's good on submissions."

"Jason is a zealous advocate for clients."

Bilal Rawat is particularly notable for his considerable expertise acting as counsel to the inquiry or inquest. He has been involved in a string of extremely high-profile matters including the Grenfell Tower and Covid-19 Inquiries.

"Bilal understands the mechanism of sensitive handling as well as the case itself."

"Bilal is very friendly and good with people. He has good knowledge of the law."

Fiona Barton KC brings her significant expertise in police law to her representation of forces and officers in sensitive inquests and public inquiries. She also represents other state agents and is especially well versed in matters involving the criminal justice system.

"Fiona is so knowledgeable and practical. She can explain things to the client. In advocacy, she has such a great manner for sensitive things. She is good on her feet in both inquests and inquiries."

"Fiona is succinct in her advocacy skills, clear and articulate."

"Her ability to assimilate information is second to none and she cuts to the key issues with precision."

Georgina Wolfe is instructed in a broad range of public inquiries and inquests. Recent mandates include cases concerning national security, clinical negligence and police operations. She predominantly acts for state agents, including police forces, coroners and government departments.

"Georgina is phenomenal. She spots the detail that nobody else sees."

"Georgina is genuinely an exceptional barrister. She is extremely academically able but she combines that with a wonderful way with clients."

"She is friendly and easy to work with. She has a good grip on cases and a good handle on clients."

Samantha Leek KC is a strong choice to represent coroners and state agents in sensitive inquests. She has particular expertise in inquests arising out of police shootings and deaths in prison. She also represents institutions as central core participants in high-profile public inquiries.

"Samantha is very empathetic. She is very forensic and all over the detail."

"Samantha cuts through and gives sensible advice in difficult circumstances."

"Samantha has such a steady hand and incisive manner."

Aaron Moss impresses fellow barristers with his advocacy and in-depth knowledge of inquests and public inquiries involving the police, terrorism and national security. He is regularly instructed by coroners as junior counsel to some of the more high-profile and sensitive inquests, and also acts for police forces and individual officers.

"Aaron is articulate and intelligent. He produces work of a high level while coping with competing issues, timeframes and cases."

"He is hot on the detail and he has a very easy client manner. He provides clear strategic and technically strong advice."

"Aaron is very personable and very hard-working."

Amy Clarke attracts instructions from various police forces in major inquests and public inquiries. She has notable expertise in areas including the use of force by the police and the care of people with mental ill health.

"Amy is very good at managing client relationships and building on other relationships so client interests are looked after."

"Amy Clarke is a good advocate because she prepares very well. She has a good detailed knowledge of cases and a good understanding of realities of care being delivered to people."

"Her legal submissions are well crafted and beautifully delivered."

"She is extremely thorough, balanced and personable. She has good judgement."

Barnabas Branston has significant experience of inquests involving police conduct and deaths in custody. He is typically instructed on behalf of police forces and prison operators.

"Barnabas is a very impressive advocate."

"Barnabas is very personable and very good in inquests, particularly with families. He has lots of attention to detail and knowledge."

"He has a really calm presence in court. He is really good with witnesses."

"Barnabas is very strategic in his approach."

Cicely Hayward is a highly able barrister frequently sought out to act on behalf of police forces, government departments and local authorities, as well as families and coroners. She is instructed in both public inquiries and high-profile inquests, with issues typically including the handling of police investigations or other operations.

"Cicely is forensically brilliant. She has a really good tactical sense and she is a massively safe pair of hands."

"Cicely is very good at handling clients and has great attention to detail."

"She helps to drive cases forward in a very effective and proactive way. Her written work is superb."

Claire Palmer is a barrister called upon by government departments, NHS bodies and police forces to represent them in inquests and public inquiries. She is particularly adept at providing counsel on matters that involve national security elements and police custody issues.

"Claire is very strong on witness support and she has a great manner."

"Claire brings judgement and balance to her matters."

Emma Price has a busy inquests and inquiries practice which sees her regularly act for central government, police forces, NHS trusts and local authorities.

"Emma is diligent and personable. She is bright and thoroughly effective."

"Emma Price is forensic."

Jonathan Dixey is routinely instructed by government departments, police forces and other public bodies in inquests and public inquiries. He has been instructed on behalf of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the Covid-19 Inquiry.

"Jonathan has absolutely impeccable judgement. He is completely trustworthy in the way he approaches things. He is very considered and tactful."

Anne Studd KC is an experienced barrister offering considerable expertise in matters involving the police. She is regularly instructed in inquests and public inquiries involving police investigations and operations. She also handles some of the most controversial healthcare-related matters.

"Anne has extensive knowledge and experience of dealing with high-profile and sensitive matters. She provides clear and pragmatic advice."

"She is incredibly knowledgeable in all things regarding police."

"Anne delivers great advice and advocacy."

Beatrice Collier is a barrister known for providing strong representation at inquests, particularly in matters scrutinising the actions or inaction of the police. She has additional expertise in mental healthcare, and is frequently instructed at inquests by NHS bodies as well as police forces.

"Beatrice is completely unflappable and intelligent. She is brilliant in a crisis."

Francesca Whitelaw KC is a leading barrister who is frequently instructed by government and the police to represent their interests in inquests which attract the attention of the national press, and which relate to serious acts of terrorism or scrutinise the actions of police officers and other public agents.

"Francesca has a good head for all the details and strategy."

"She is an excellent advocate. She is a terrific person to be working with."

"She is very easy to work with."

Mark Thomas enjoys a strong reputation at the Bar for his work in inquests, particularly those involving the police. He has substantial expertise in mental health-related matters.

"Mark is brilliant at balancing the needs of clients with the needs of the court. He is diligent and thorough."

"Mark is a very effective advocate. He argues his case well on paper and orally."

Andrew Waters is a respected barrister who represents various clients, including police forces, in a range of inquests and inquiries.

"Andrew is a very experienced operator."

"Andrew is a very impressive advocate."

Catriona Hodge is trusted by a variety of public and government bodies to represent them in high-profile inquests and inquiries. She has been instructed in the Covid-19 and Post Office Inquiries.

"Catriona has got really good judgement and she is highly organised. She cuts through the issues straight away."

"Catriona has a very good analytical mind and can provide answers to questions in milliseconds. She is very hard-working."

John Goss has a strong Article 2 inquest practice and is often instructed by police forces. He undertakes matters focused on national security and police conduct.

"John is a superb oral advocate. He is very direct, to the point and gets his point across in few words very effectively."

"John has an ability to produce written and oral advice at a high level."

"He has a brilliant advocacy style and his legal acumen is outstanding."

Peter Taheri is highly valued by police forces, several of whom have instructed him in sensitive Article 2 inquests. Taheri has also acted as counsel to the inquest.

"Peter is a good litigator and gives good advice."

"Both his written and oral submissions are always sophisticated and precise. Similarly, his practical advice in managing issues arising during inquest proceedings is invaluable."

John-Paul Waite is routinely instructed to act in inquests on behalf of prison services and police forces. His work often touches upon sensitive matters including Article 2 cases concerning self-inflicted deaths.

"John-Paul is a really thoughtful advocate. His style is well suited to the inquisitorial space."

Jennifer Wright has appeared in a number of high-profile public inquiries and inquests. She is widely instructed by police forces and has also acted for a key non-police core participant in the Post Office Horizon Inquiry.

"Jennifer is very meticulous and excellent at getting on top of details. She is able to work through a large body of material, synthesise and present a persuasive argument based on that."

"Jennifer is really great to deal with. She is very personable and very hard-working."