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.
FAQs
How do investigations start?
Investigations can begin in a variety of ways, depending on the circumstances. They may be triggered by a
serious incident,
whistleblowing concern,
patient safety event,
regulatory intervention,
allegations of misconduct,
complaints,
safeguarding concerns, or
concerns identified through audits and inspections.
Inquiries are often initiated by organisations (public and private), regulators, commissioners or independent inquiry chairs seeking to establish what happened, identify lessons learned and improve future practice.
Our team advises a wide range of different types of organisations and individuals from the earliest stages of an investigation, helping them understand their obligations from the outset, manage risk and engage effectively with regulators, investigators and inquiry teams.
Do you represent organisations and individuals involved in public or regulatory inquiries?
We advise both organisations and individuals involved in public inquiries, statutory investigations, regulatory investigations and inquests.
Our clients include NHS trusts, universities, commissioners, national bodies, independent health and social care providers, local authorities, individual professionals, executives, board members and other individuals who may be required to provide evidence or participate in proceedings. We provide strategic advice throughout the process, including document management, witness preparation, legal submissions, public hearings and reputation management.
Who are the main participants in an inquiry?
The participants involved in an inquiry will depend on its scope and terms of reference, but typically include the inquiry chair, inquiry legal team, witnesses, public bodies, regulators and organisations or individuals granted formal core participant status.
Core participants often have specific rights within the inquiry process, including access to evidence, the ability to make submissions and representation by legal advisers. Organisations and professionals may be asked to provide documents, witness evidence or detailed information about decisions, systems and practices under review.
Can Hill Dickinson assist with internal investigations and evidence gathering?
We regularly support organisations conducting internal investigations across a broad range of health and social care, education, fatalities, regulatory and employment-related matters.
We assist with investigation planning, document reviews, witness interviews, evidence preservation, regulatory engagement and the preparation of investigation reports. Our lawyers help ensure investigations are conducted fairly, proportionately and in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory and governance requirements, while protecting legal privilege where appropriate.
Do you advise on post-inquiry reporting, risk mitigation and governance improvements?
Effective implementation of recommendations is often one of the most important outcomes of an inquiry or investigation.
We advise organisations on responding to findings, developing action plans, strengthening governance arrangements, improving policies and procedures, enhancing safety frameworks and managing ongoing regulatory engagement. Our aim is to help clients demonstrate meaningful learning, reduce future risk and support continuous improvement across their organisation.
Our pledge to every client
Discover the principles that guide us and help you move forward with confidence.
Read our client promiseHow can we help you achieve your ambitions?
Let’s collaborate and turn your challenges into change.
Get in touch