Inquiries and investigations

Public inquiries and national or local reviews and investigations present unique challenges for organisations, demanding specialist legal input and support to manage complex processes, while essential and business-as-usual operations continue.

Participation is resource-intensive, so effective management is critical to ensure appropriate and necessary participation in the interests of the organisation and its staff, during proceedings that often span months or years.

We provide end-to-end guidance and support through statutory inquiries under the Inquiries Act 2005, non-statutory inquiries, and independent investigations and reviews at both national and local level. Our services include advising on document retention and disclosure, liaison with inquiry and investigation teams, evidence gathering and witness preparation, hearing or interview representation, advising on internal and external communications and advising on the implementation of recommendations or requirements.

All of this is coordinated with your internal teams to minimise disruption to business-as-usual activity but ensure that support is always on hand.

With experience across high-profile inquiries such as Thirlwall, Infected Blood, COVID, Royal Liverpool Children’s, Mid Staffordshire, Gosport and Manchester Arena, we have represented NHS trusts, integrated care boards, national bodies, universities, and transport operators under intense public scrutiny in numerous inquiries and investigations.

Strategic media management is embedded in our approach, helping clients maintain stakeholder confidence and organisational resilience throughout the most demanding periods of scrutiny.