Public Inquiries and Inquests

Overview

Public Inquiries

The Landmark team, from silks to juniors, have considerable experience in representing both institutional and complainant core participants across a range of statutory public inquiries.

Members of Chambers currently act for core participants, government departments and witnesses in the following ongoing public inquiries:

The Covid-19 Inquiry: David Lock KC, Fiona Scolding KC, Carine Patry KC, Galina Ward KC, Christopher Jacobs, Sasha Blackmore, Miranda Butler, Natasha Jackson, Harriet Wakeman, Georgina Fenton and Ed Abedian.

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry: Christopher Jacobs, Kimberley Ziya and Joe Thomas.

The Cranston Inquiry: David Blundell KC and Harriet Wakeman.

The Brook House Inquiry: Alex Goodman KC, Christopher Jacobs and Harriet Wakeman (CTI).

The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry: Harriet Wakeman.

Members of the Landmark team have additionally represented core participants and witnesses in the following public inquiries:

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA): Fiona Scolding KC (CTI); Galina Ward KC; Christopher Jacobs; Ben Fulbrook (CTI).

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Harriet Wakeman.

The Leveson Inquiry: Carine Patry KC (CTI).

The Infected Blood Inquiry: David Lock KC, Fiona Scolding KC, Miranda Butler and Hannah Gibbs.

Public Inquiries are governed by the Inquiries Act 2005 and the Inquiry Rules 2006. A particular feature of this area of practice is that an Inquiry Chair will often hold a very wide discretion in matters of procedure and evidence. Members of the Landmark team have expertise in advising on the various types of legal issues which flow from the statutory and procedural framework, which is unique to this area of practice.  

In addition to the representation of parties within public inquiries, members of chambers regularly advise and assist prospective core participants who wish to apply to participate in public inquiries.

Members of Chambers also provide practical solutions and advice to institutions involved in public inquiries on a wide range of issues, including responses to Rule 9 requests, disclosure and confidentiality obligations.

In addition to representing core participants and witnesses, Landmark Counsel has acted as Counsel to the Inquiry (‘CTI’), instructed by solicitors acting for the sponsoring government department.  

Inquests

Members of Chambers have extensive experience in inquest work, acting as counsel to the inquest (CTI), as well as acting for a wide range of interested persons including bereaved families and government departments.

Members of Chambers have experience in jury inquests and Article 2 inquests, and are able to advise on and act in cases raising a wide range of issues relating to inquests, including s.13 Coroners Act 1988 and judicial review challenges of coronial decisions.