Inquests & Public Inquiries

Old Square Chambers are at the forefront of public inquiries concerned with major accidents or disasters and those in which in industrial relations, civil liberties and human rights play a key role.

Barristers at all levels of call have acted for interested parties such as victims, bereaved families, trade unions and public servants on a wide variety of subjects. Particular expertise includes inquiries relating to prisons, railway accidents and the NHS.

Old Square Chambers barristers have appeared in the following inquiries:

• The Leveson Inquiry (2011) - John Hendy QC and Lance Harris represented the NUJ at The Leveson Inquiry
• The Potters Bar Enhanced Inquest (2010)
• The Ufton Nevert Train Crash Inquest (2007)
• The Zahid Mubarek Inquiry (2004-6)
• Aslef Internal Inquiry into financial affairs and operations (2004)
• Shipman Inquiry (2003)
• Victoria Climbie Inquiry (2001)
• Ladbroke Grove Inquiry (2000)
• Marchioness Inquiry (2000)
• North Wales Child Abuse Inquiry (1999)
• Southall Train Crash Inquiry (1999)
• The Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry (1998)
• Ashworth Hospital Inquiry(2) (1997)
• Cowden Train Crash Inquiry (1995)
• Severn Tunnel Inquiry (1993)
• The Ashworth Hospital Inquiry(1) (1991)
• The Strangeways Inquiry (1990)
• Clapham Junction Accident Inquiry (1989)
• King's Cross Fire Inquiry (1988)

Michael Ford QC and Jonathan Clarke are co-authors of Redgrave, the leading text book on health and safety law.

Regulatory Prosecutions
Our barristers are frequently instructed in prosecutions arising from fatal incidents on construction sites, fairgrounds, farms and those involving the emergency services. The team has expertise in the health sector as evidenced by the recent defence of a NHS Trust Foundation for offences under COSHH regulations. Malcolm Galloway, David Cunnington and Charlie Woodhouse have all appeared on behalf of ‘showmen’ under the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS) following serious and often catastrophic incidents at fairgrounds.

Coroner’s Inquests
Work often includes attendance on behalf of the bereaved, injured and/or interested persons representing their interests and asking questions of witnesses. Most recently, John Hendy QC and Christopher Edwards represented the bereaved and injured in the high profile Lakanal House fire inquest, as well as the subsequent civil action which resulted in the continuing instruction of John Hendy QC and Michael Nicholson.