Public inquiries & major incidents

For families affected by the events under investigation, taking part in an inquiry can feel both important and daunting. Understanding what to expect at each stage can make a significant difference to how supported and prepared you feel throughout the process.

An inquiry typically begins when the government announces its establishment and appoints an independent chair, who sets the scope and terms of the investigation. Once the scope is confirmed, families and individuals directly affected by the events may be invited to participate as core participants, a formal status that gives you the right to be legally represented, access relevant evidence, and make submissions to the inquiry.

As a core participant, your legal team will work with you to prepare your evidence, review documents and witness statements, and make sure your experience is accurately and fully represented throughout the inquiry’s proceedings. Hearings are typically held in public, and the inquiry will gather evidence from a wide range of sources, including organisations, professionals, and those directly affected.

At the conclusion of the inquiry, the chair publishes a report setting out their findings, conclusions, and recommendations. For many families, this report represents a formal acknowledgement of what happened and why, and a commitment to the changes needed to prevent further harm.

Our team will be with you at every stage, making sure you understand what is happening, what is expected of you, and how to make the most of your participation in the process.

A public inquiry is a formal investigation established to examine a specific event, issue, or concern that has caused significant public concern. Its purpose is to establish the facts, establish what happened, and identify lessons that can be learned to prevent similar harm in the future. Public inquiries are usually set up by the government and led by an independent chair. While they do not determine criminal or civil liability, their findings can lead to significant changes in policy, regulation, and practice. For families directly affected by the events under investigation, participation in a public inquiry is an opportunity to have their experiences formally heard and to help drive meaningful change.

A statutory inquiry is established under the Inquiries Act 2005 and carries formal legal powers, including the ability to compel witnesses to give evidence and require organisations to produce documents. A non-statutory inquiry operates outside this framework and relies on voluntary participation. Both types can make findings and recommendations, but statutory inquiries tend to carry greater authority and are more likely to be used where the events under investigation involve serious systemic failures or require legally compelled evidence. Our team can advise you on the type of inquiry you are involved in and what that means for your participation.

Core participant status is a formal designation given to individuals, families, or organisations who are most directly affected by the events under investigation or who have a significant interest in the inquiry’s outcome. As a core participant, you have the right to be legally represented throughout the inquiry, to access relevant evidence and documents, to make submissions to the inquiry panel, and to comment on the evidence of others. Our team can help you apply for core participant status and support you fully throughout your involvement in the inquiry.

Public inquiries vary significantly in their duration depending on the complexity of the events being investigated, the volume of evidence to be gathered, and the number of individuals and organisations involved. Some inquiries conclude within months, while others, particularly those involving large-scale systemic failures, can run for several years. Whatever the timescale, our team will make sure you are kept informed and supported at every stage, and that you understand what is happening and what to expect as the inquiry progresses.

Legal funding for public inquiry representation works differently from personal injury or clinical negligence claims. In some cases, core participants may be entitled to public funding to cover the cost of legal representation. Our team can advise you on the funding options available in your specific situation and make sure that cost is not a barrier to accessing the legal support you need and deserve.

At the end of a public inquiry, the chair publishes a final report setting out their findings, conclusions, and recommendations. For families, the publication of this report can be a significant moment, representing a formal acknowledgement of what happened and a commitment to the changes needed to prevent future harm. Depending on the findings, some individuals and families may wish to seek advice about whether any further legal action or other remedies are available Our team can advise you on your options at that stage and help you decide on the best path forward.

The Inquiries Act 2005 provides the legal framework for statutory public inquiries in the UK. It allows the government to start investigations when serious events raise concerns. It also sets out the powers available to inquiry chairs, how evidence should be gathered, and how findings should be shared. The Act also helps make findings available to the public.

For individuals and families affected by the events under investigation, the Act provides a formal process through which their voices can be heard, their evidence considered, and the organisations responsible held to account. Being part of a statutory inquiry under the Act is a powerful way that affected families can contribute to systemic change – and help prevent similar harm from happening to others.