Inquests & Public Inquiries | UK Bar

Manchester-based Deans Court Chambers possesses a long track record in handling complex and sensitive inquests. The set's barristers are sought after throughout the North West by commercial entities, notably in the care sector, and by local authorities, central government, healthcare practitioners or the police. In addition, members are instructed as counsel to the coroner or chair in many of the most prominent inquests and public inquiries taking place in the region and nationwide. Members of the set recently represented parties in the inquest into the death of Jessica Cronshaw and Elsie Leck.

Garden Court North Chambers excels in the representation of bereaved families and survivors in public inquiries and Article 2 inquests. Barristers from the set provide expert handling of a wide range of matters, including deaths involving policing and prisons, or immigration detention. The set has also had counsel appear in most of the major public inquiries undertaken in recent years, including the Undercover Policing Inquiry and UK Covid-19 Inquiry. A market commentator notes that "Garden Court North Chambers has a wealth of experience in dealing with individuals from all walks of life, adapting to meet the specific needs of each client. They are highly qualified in dealing with bereaved families and dealing with niche areas of law that many other practitioners have not had experience in." Barristers at the set have recently acted for core parties on the Inquest into the Death of Yousef Makki and the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

Lincoln House Chambers offers an impressive depth of expertise in the field of inquiries and inquests. Several of its members have appeared in the Manchester Arena and Infected Blood Inquiries as well as the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, among other matters of major importance. The barristers are frequently sought out to provide expert representation to a wide range of interested persons, spanning government departments, professional bodies, healthcare sector clients and police forces, and to act as counsel to the inquest or inquiry. An instructing solicitor notes that the set is "distinguished by its breadth and depth of legal expertise, strategic advocacy and proven track record in this area on the highest-profile inquests and public inquiries."

Park Square Barristers is a go-to set for interested persons in inquests, including government departments, police forces, healthcare organisations, local authorities and education bodies. Members additionally act for bereaved families. The set boasts an impressive bench of barristers skilled in the inquests field, with several government panel members and assistant coroners among its roster. One market source reports: "Park Square Barristers is at the top of my list when looking for inquest advocates." Another praises the barristers' ability to empathetically deal with witness, and their "excellent client care skills." Barristers recently appeared in the high-profile inquest into the death of Jacob Billington.

30 Park Place is a leading set at the Welsh Bar and is highlighted for its impressive capabilities in a wide range of sensitive inquests and public inquiries. The chambers' barristers have received instructions in many of the major recent inquiries, such as acting on behalf of hundreds of victims across Wales and Northern Ireland in the Infected Blood Inquiry. The set boasts further strengths in all manner of inquests such as those concerning the police, healthcare providers and care homes. Members have been instructed in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.

New Park Court Chambers demonstrates a considerable depth and breadth of expertise in the inquests and inquiries field. Members have acted in several recent high-profile matters, including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and UK COVID-19 Inquiry. The set is equipped to handle a wide range of complex inquests such as those involving the police and medical practitioners, in which members draw on their coronial, criminal and professional disciplinary experience. Paul Greaney KC tends to be instructed as counsel to the inquest or inquiry; other barristers from the set have acted for core participants or interested persons including care providers and the bereaved.

Barristers at No5 Barristers' Chambers appear in coroners' courts throughout the land and are a reliable choice for any inquest instruction. Areas of expertise include health and safety-related matters concerning workplace or care settings. The barristers have considerable experience in inquests involving the police or prisons. An instructing solicitor notes that from "KCs to leading juniors and juniors, the depth and breadth of expertise on offer at No5 is very strong". Counsel from the set recently appeared in Module 3 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.