​Public Inquiry and Inquest Solicitors
A public inquiry or inquest is a fact-finding investigation into a set of events or deaths that require specialist legal support from an inquest solicitor or public inquiry solicitor.
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If you are named an ‘interested person’ or a ‘core participant’ in an inquest or public inquiry, it is crucial to engage with a solicitor that has in-depth experience in this part of the law.
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If you have been named an ‘interested person’ or a ‘core participant’, get in touch today to speak to our specialist solicitors.
Our Inquest and Public Inquiry Expertise
We have represented various individuals who have been named as an ‘interested person’ and ‘core participants’ in very high-profile inquests and public inquiries.
Our Inquest and Inquiry Cases Include:
Grenfell Tower
Inquiry
Mark Duggan
Inquest
Stephen Port
Inquest
Jeans Charles de Menezes Inquest
The processes involved can often be very long and stressful.
Our inquest solicitors and public inquiry solicitors have a wealth of experience to guide clients through these complex procedures, advising of possible outcomes and protecting their legal rights.
Understanding Inquests and Public Inquires
What is an Inquest?
An inquest is launched when someone dies unnaturally. It seeks to answer four key questions:
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Who the deceased was
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When and where they died
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Their medical cause of death
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How they died
Coroners conduct inquests. In rare cases, if all necessary evidence cannot be gathered, the Home Secretary may authorize a public inquiry
​What are the main differences between Inquests and Public Inquiries?
Scope – An inquest determines the cause of an unnatural death, while an inquiry has broader scope to investigate a range of issues.
Authority – Inquests are led by a Coroner, who reports on the cause of death, whereas inquiries are government-established and run by an appointed panel.
Powers – Public inquiries, under the Inquiries Act 2005, can compel witnesses and limit government control. Inquests have fewer powers, focusing on fact-finding under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
What is a ‘Core Participant' in a Public Inquiry or Inquest?
A Core Participant is an individual, group of individuals or organisation who has specific rights and responsibilities during the investigation process. These include access to disclosure of documents, the right to make an opening and closing statement, suggest lines of questioning and to apply to the Inquiry to ask questions of certain witnesses. A Core Participant will also be given early access to the final report.
​What is a Public Inquiry?
A public inquiry is the act of seeking more information about something. Public inquiries are large-scale investigations into issues of public concern, such as wars, pandemics, or financial mismanagement.​ Ordered by a government minister but conducted independently, they involve a panel and chairperson who gather evidence and question witnesses. The panel then compiles a report addressing:
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What happened
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Why it happened
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Who is responsible
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How to prevent it in the future
The primary goal of public inquiries is to recommend future safeguards.
What is an ‘Interested Person’ in a Public Inquiry or Inquest?
An Interested Person is an individual or organisation with a proper interest in the deceased's death and has specific rights to participate in the inquest. The Coroner in an Inquest determines who is an Interested Person and they can play a more active role than a regular witness, including asking questions and receiving disclosure of documents. They can include family members, individuals who may have been involved in the death or the executor of the estate and can sometimes be legally represented.
Does an ‘Interested Person’ or ‘Core Participant' have to participate in the Public Inquiry or Inquest?
An Interested Person in an Inquest is not automatically compelled to give evidence but the Coroner can request that they do. If they so choose, they can actively participate in the Inquest. A Core Participant also has the right to participate but may not be required to give evidence. Ultimately it will be the Chair Person’s decision on whether they want to hear from someone in person or in writing, whether or not they have Core Participant status.