Support with inquiries and investigations for NHS and public health

Relax in the knowledge you have the professional assistance of our health lawyers

A bespoke approach tailored to you

We draw upon our experience and involvement with a wide range of high-profile inquiries and investigations within the NHS and Public Health sector, providing you with relevant support and advice at all stages.

We understand that participating in an inquiry can be labour intensive, intrusive and challenging. Our healthcare solicitors adapt our approach to enable you to prioritise your business-as-usual activities, and to minimise the impact on individuals and the organisation overall.

We have been successful in acting for a wide range of clients in relation to inquiries and investigations, meaning you’re in the best place for the best support.

How our inquiries and investigation lawyers can help you

Every inquiry is unique and we will work with you to ensure that your organisation, and current and former individuals working within it, feel fully supported and prepared.

We provide advice and support in relation to the full range of high profile inquiries, including statutory inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005, non-statutory inquiries and independent inquiries. Services include:

Advice on how to best protect your interests, and those of individuals within your organisation
Advice on retention and disclosure of documents and support with disclosure exercises
Liaison with the inquiry solicitor and secretariat
Liaison with other core participants
Advice on the impact and application of restriction orders
Collating, reviewing and advising on the contents of witness evidence
Supporting witnesses to give their evidence, including empathetic discussion of the process and what to expect
Advocacy/representation at inquiry hearings including instruction of counsel where necessary
Support with media handling and press management including internal and external communications
Review of evidence received during each public hearing of the inquiry, including advice on implications of others’ evidence
Assistance and support in responding to any warning letters that may be received
Review of the final report of the inquiry and advice on next steps for the organisation in light of its conclusions

Our clients

We have acted for a wide range of clients in relation to inquiries in the health, and other sectors, including NHS trusts/foundation trusts, ICBs, national NHS bodies, strategic health authorities, universities, transport and leisure sector operators.
Our experience
Our experience includes a number of high profile inquiries:
The Royal Liverpool Children’s Inquiry - members of our team acted at the inquiry into the removal, retention and disposal of organs and tissue following post-mortems, and were also instructed on the Royal Liverpool Children’s Litigation group action which followed
Redfern Inquiry - a member of our team acted in relation to the inquiry into human tissue analysis in UK nuclear facilities
Francis Inquiry – we were instructed as recognised legal representative for a core participant in the public inquiry into events at Mid Staffordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Gosport War Memorial Inquiry – we advised and supported our ICB client in the inquiry in which the panel concluded that more than 450 elderly people were given life-shortening opioid drugs
Manchester Arena Inquiry – we are representing the University of Salford in relation to the terrorist bombing in 2017
Members of our team have also chaired independent inquiries, and advised clients regarding the conduct and management of internal investigations, independent inquiries and public inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005