Public Inquiries

Public Inquiries set up by government have become a predominant feature of UK politics. They are major investigations into issues of “public concern” about a particular event or set of events.

Our Public Inquiries team act for both private and public-sector organisations and individuals affected by, or called upon to participate in, many of the most high-profile Public Inquiries.

As an organisation you and your staff may have been asked to provide written or oral evidence to a Public Inquiry as a result of your organisation’s involvement in events that are the subject of the Inquiry. We recognise the particular strain this places on an organisation and have the experience and expertise to advise and assist throughout the process.

We provide assistance and representation to individuals affected by the events with which a Public Inquiry is concerned to ensure that the impact of such events is presented accurately to the Inquiry. You may have been asked to make a witness statement or give evidence to a Public Inquiry. We provide advice and representation to individuals who have been asked to participate in a Public Inquiry in any capacity.

The team are involved in some of the most prominent national Public Inquiries and have represented clients through every stage:

  • From the initial request for evidence and/or disclosure under Rule 9 of the Inquiry Rules 2006
  • Representation at the Inquiry, including putting questions to other witnesses
  • Preparation for giving oral evidence
  • Representing those called to give live evidence to the Inquiry
  • Making written submissions in relation to the report following warning letters (or the ‘Maxwellisation’ process)

Daniel Irving leads the Public Inquiries Team at Birketts and current instructions include representing a witness to the ongoing UK Covid-19 Inquiry and continuing to represent a core participant to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, who gave three days of oral evidence at the end of 2020.

As a specialist, his clients benefit from his extensive Public Inquiry experience having represented a former senior Cabinet Minister in his response to the Iraq Inquiry (the ‘Chilcot Inquiry’) and subsequently serving as junior counsel to the ongoing Public Inquiry into undercover policing (‘UCPI’).

The team is highly experienced in:

  • Making applications for core participant status
  • Drafting and making submissions in relation to any undertakings the Inquiry may seek from the Attorney General
  • Advising on closed proceedings, including applications for anonymity and restriction orders over the disclosure of evidence.

As a full service law firm with specialists across the breadth of practice areas, Birketts can also offer expertise in the areas of law the Public Inquiry may affect. Every client can expect technical excellence delivered with the highest standards of client care.

Daniel guided us deftly through the process. We were extremely pleased with how smoothly it went, and how responsive he was.

UK Covid-19 Inquiry client

Credit to the team for all the preparatory work carried out. On reflection, there wasn’t one topic that hadn’t been considered in the build up to giving evidence and this is testament to all of the hard work Daniel, Liam and Francesca have put in since inception. Daniel in particular has been and continues to be a calm, reassuring and conscientious presence.

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Client

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For general enquiries please call +44 (0)808 169 4320 or send a message from our Contact us page.