John Hendy QC and Christopher Edwards represented the families of the deceased in these Inquests following the Lakanal House fire, a major fire at one of the London Borough of Southwark's 14 storey residential tower blocks in south London in July 2009 resulting in six deaths.

 

After 12 weeks of evidence and deliberations the jury delivered a detailed narrative verdict which was highly critical of serious failures by the London Borough of Southwark to make sure refurbishments and alterations performed to Lakanal House over its lifetime were carried out to appropriate standards. The verdict was also highly critical of training given by the London Fire Brigade to those taking 999 calls.

 

The Coroner made a number of significant rule 43 recommendations in respect of the London Fire Brigade, the London Borough of Southwark, and the Government with a view to preventing similar deaths in the future.

 

John Hendy QC and Christopher Edwards continue to represent the families in their High Court civil claims against the London Borough of Southwark, the London Fire Brigade and a third party contractor Apollo Services Ltd.