Public Inquiry

. “Old Square Chambers' work in the transport sector is praised by clients, having worked on the majority of significant rail crash inquiries.”

Legal 500

 

 

Overview

Old Square Chambers is recommended as a leading set in the field of public inquiry work in Legal 500 (2006 edition). In particular, Chambers is able to draw on its in-depth knowledge of health and safety and industrial relations in order to provide expert representation in public inquiries concerned with major accidents or disasters, and those in which industrial relations play a key role.

 

Nature of work

Old Square Chambers has extensive experience of public inquiry work, dealing with a wide variety of subjects and representing a range of interested parties. Fields of particular expertise include inquiries relating to prisons, railway accidents and the NHS. Members of Chambers at all levels of call have acted on behalf of interested parties such as victims, bereaved families, trade unions and public servants.

Inquiries in which members of Chambers have appeared include:

• The Leveson Inquiry (2011)
• 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)

 

Old Square Chambers also has wide experience of Coroners' Inquests. Members regularly appear in complex, multi-day or high profile inquests, including those concerning individuals' rights under ECHR, Article 2. Members at all levels of call act on behalf of bereaved families, public servants and public bodies. Recent inquests in which members have appeared include the inquest into the death of Harold Shipman and the inquest into the death of Anne-Marie Bates.