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, the Undercover Policing Inquiry and others. Barristers have acted in numerous difficult inquests of national importance, including Molly Russell's inquest. Clients include public bodies such as government departments, police forces and councils, as well as doctors, private individuals and the bereaved. Our interviewees note: "They have a huge depth of expertise and a variety of barristers."

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 "second to none", 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 has included key roles in the UK Covid-19, Post Office Horizon IT and Infected Blood Inquiries. Sources further remark: "5 Essex has strength in depth and experience in public inquiries."

Doughty Street Chambers has an established reputation as a leader in the field of inquests and inquiries. One source highlights the "superb barristers, who are leaders in the field". 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 for its "depth of practitioners, who can cover most areas of law". The barristers' expertise covers a range of areas including mental health, and police and prison law. Recent work includes notable instructions in 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 Keyham shootings and the Shoreham Airshow crash. Clients say: "They are skilled in submissions and strategy as well as excellent with witnesses and coroners."

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 barristers have been involved in multiple strands of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, 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 death of Thomas Orchard. Members are noted for having "a fantastic breadth of experience in inquests and public inquiries".

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 Jermaine Baker and Fishmongers' Hall 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: "3 Raymond Buildings has experienced counsel who are able to take on complex cases and ensure that all of the issues are addressed."

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 boasts "some of the most excellent barristers in the country", according to one source, and their "vast range of specialisms" see them representing the bereaved in matters examining the actions or inactions of the police and other public authorities. They have acted in numerous high-profile cases including the UK Covid-19 inquiry.

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.

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. 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.

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 "never failing to offer skilled counsel", while another comments that "they always have the right person" for the job at hand. 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.

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 "over all the detail and regularly offering value-add, both on the legal points and general strategy".

Matrix Chambers is a strong choice to represent the bereaved at inquests and non-state core participants in public inquiries. The set's standing in public and human rights law makes it a go-to chambers for Article 2 inquests or related judicial reviews. Recent 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.

QEB Hollis Whiteman has an impressive breadth of expertise in the field of public inquiries and inquests. The "down to earth and switched on" members are "at the forefront of complex inquests and inquiries" work, 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 Manchester Arena Inquiry and the Steven Dymond inquest.