Farleys’ public inquiry solicitors have been acting in major public inquiries for many years. As a full-service law firm, we are able to call on the expertise of colleagues in specialist departments depending on the subject of the inquiry.
What is a Public Inquiry?
A public inquiry is an investigation and official review of major events, ordered by a government body to address significant public concern.
When Does a Public Inquiry Take Place?
A public inquiry is often called for events involving multiple deaths, issues of public concern or major catastrophes, in order for an open, thorough, and fair investigation to take place into what happened and to ensure that lessons are learnt for the future.
Legal Advice for Public Inquiries
Public inquiries are not a common occurrence in the UK and are often the focus of intense media scrutiny due to their high-profile nature. As such, if you are asked to take part in a public inquiry, it is important to speak to an expert. Farleys’ public inquiry specialists are on hand to answer your questions and provide the level of support you need.
Funding for Core Participants and Key Witnesses
Being asked to take part in a public inquiry, whether as a core participant or as a key witness can be daunting but you can feel safe in the knowledge that our experts will guide you through the process and support you throughout. Funding for legal representation for core participants and key witnesses is often provided and our team can advise you on your options for this.
Is a Public Inquiry the Same as an Inquest?
A public inquiry is not the same as an inquest. Where an inquest is held to established who the deceased was and their cause of death, a public inquiry will cover a much broader remit considering more evidence. As such, it is not uncommon for an inquiry to last several years whereas an inquest will usually take a few months at most.
It is possible for an inquest and an inquiry to take place into the same death.
Our Expertise
Anthony Grainger Inquiry – Only the second time in England and Wales that a public inquiry has been set up to examine a fatal police shooting. Our team advised Mr Grainger’s family during the public inquiry and continue to do so throughout the judicial review.
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) – We have represented clients at the IICSA who have suffered abuse in the specific areas examined by the inquiry including the Rochdale grooming gangs. Our head of abuse claims, Jonathan Bridge, has also personally sat on the inquiry panel.
