Regulatory: Public Inquiries

QEB Hollis Whiteman’s strength in advocacy and equal focus on regulatory and criminal law gives our members a keen appreciation of the risks and opportunities that involvement in a public inquiry can present for both organisations and individuals.  Our members are ideally placed to offer advice and representation to anyone contemplating involvement in a public inquiry as a core participant or as a witness giving oral evidence.

Members of QEB Hollis Whiteman have been involved in a number of public inquiries: 

Leveson Inquiry

Inquiry into the relationship between the press and the public, the press and the police, the press and politicans. 

Media Ethics, Practice and Culture are reviewed. 

Who guards the guardians?

In July this year the prime minister announced a two stage inquiry into the role of the police and the press in the phone hacking scandal. 

The inquiry seeks to make recommendations to achieve better practice in relation to policy and regulation.  It seeks to safeguard press integrity and freedom whilst encouraging attainment of the very highest ethical standards. 

Members of chambers are currently providing advice to various parties in the Leveson inquiry. 

Hearings began at the Royal Courts of Justice on 14th November 2011. 

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry

In June 2010 the Secretary of State for Health announced a full public inquiry into the serious failings in patient care at the Trust and why they were not identified and acted on sooner.  The inquiry aims to identify important lessons to be learnt for the future of patient care.

The inquiry is ongoing.

Three members of QEB Hollis Whiteman are currently acting as leading and junior 'Counsel to the Inquiry' which began hearing oral evidence in November 2010.  The inquiry’s terms of reference focus on healthcare regulation and the reasons for the failure of the regulatory systems in relation to Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. 

The inquiry has been praised for the efficiency with which it has been run and the breadth and depth of the evidence being examined.

Tom Kark QC          Ben FitzGerald          Tom Baker

Dutton Inquiry

Inquiry into the allegations that £19.3million of Lottery funding was unlawfully paid from an account called the World Class Payments Bureau to individuals and organisations at the request of small governing bodies.

Chambers provide advice and assistance into this inquiry. 

Alexandra Felix

Saville Inquiry

Inquiry into the events of 'Bloody Sunday'

Members have also provided advice in the Saville Inquiry into events on ‘Bloody Sunday’.

Bridget Petherbridge