• 'A very solid set in the area, with a key strength in medical regulation and a particularly strong portfolio of presentation-side work for regulators' Legal 500 2017
  • 'The set is well respected in the area of police discipline and misconduct and associated matters' Chambers UK 2016
  • 'First-class advice and advocacy across a variety of areas' Chambers UK 2017 

Inquests

A team that brings a vast and varied skill set. Recognised experts in numerous related fields; their advisory and advocacy skills are highly regarded in this area.

Overview

QEB Hollis Whiteman brings huge experience from working in cases involving the Police, the Military, in Medical Regulation and other relevant areas, to ensure a sensitive and skilled handling of all aspects of the inquest process. We offer advice and first-class advocacy at every stage, representing bereaved families and other interested parties such as corporations and authorities, employees and professional individuals. The experienced team offers representation at all levels of seniority.

Our Experience

Interested parties and core participants frequently find themselves vulnerable to criminal or regulatory investigation, as well as civil proceedings, as a consequence of the findings of an inquest or an inquiry. Our expertise in the overlapping areas of Crime, Police and Professional Discipline, Health and Safety and the Military enables us to protect and promote the interests of parties and participants as well as provide continuity of representation in any subsequent criminal or regulatory proceedings, should the need arise. Where appropriate, we work closely with solicitors and experts acting in civil claims to ensure that the evidence adduced through an inquest is of substantial value.

QEB Hollis Whiteman has appeared in many recent and significant inquest hearings including those arising from: unlawful killings; workplace deaths; military deaths and incidents of “friendly-fire”; arson; police pursuits; and deaths in police custody.

Members of Chambers have frequently been instrumental in persuading coroners to widen the scope of an inquest to address Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Chambers have experience representing many different organisations, including The Royal British Legion, various Police Authorities and medical organisations as well as individuals, families and dependants of the deceased.

The strong medical regulatory background of the regulatory team in Chambers puts them in a particularly advantageous position to assist in Inquests where there are issues involving the quality of medical care.

Members of Chambers are regularly instructed at the earliest stages of the Inquest process with great effect; early and skilled involvement ensures that legal issues such as disclosure, representation, scope of the inquest, contact with the coroner, expert evidence and legal arguments are all dealt with in a timely fashion, all of which often have significant impact on the course and outcome of proceedings.

Recent Cases

Inquest into the death of Thomas Orchard

Inquest into the death of Thomas Orchard. Susannah Stevens led Thomas Coke-Smyth representing...

Inquest into the death of AP (2021)

Philip Stott represents psychiatrist in prison death inquest. Between 5-14 July, an inquest into...

News

Eleanor Laws QC Awarded Crime Silk of the year by Chambers & Partners

Congratulations to Eleanor Laws QC who won Crime Silk of the Year at the annual Chambers and Partners awards which took place on the 19th November. Eleanor has a diverse practice which includes heavyweight and high profile crime.  She regularly...

QEB Hollis Whiteman Ranked Highly in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500

This month Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 published the results of their research on the legal community and the leaders in their fields.  Members of QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers have 74 acknowledgements in Chambers & Partners across...

The Covid-19 Public Inquiry - Where are we now?

The PM's recent announcement that there will be an independent inquiry into the C-19 response has been welcomed but has also prompted difficult questions: what might the inquiry look like and involve? And what of those who want or are required to give...

Inquests: The impact of COVID-19, work related deaths and Article 2 ECHR

Deaths from COVID-19 are likely to give rise to the requirement to hold inquests in a wide variety of cases. This will likely pose a substantial challenge to coroners in both the timing and scope of these inquests, particularly where deaths are also linked...

Covid-19: A Public Inquiry

Calls for a public inquiry into the government and state reaction to Covid-19 are mounting. But is there actually a need for an inquiry and, if so, what form should it take and what should it investigate?  QEB Hollis Whiteman's  Nicholas...

Calls for coronavirus inquiry will be hard to ignore - Nicholas Griffin QC writes for The Times

Nicholas Griffin QC co-authors with Richard Spafford of Reed Smith LLP in an article for The Times. Together they consider that calls for a coronavirus inquiry will be hard to ignore; those who have suffered most deserve answers but the shaping...

Articles

A Podcast: A Public Inquiry into Covid-19 - a Series of Discussions Hosted by QEBHW Part 1: The NHS - Might the Hand-clapping Turn to Finger-pointing?

The government has now committed to a full statutory public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.  This is the first of a series of podcasts by QEB Hollis Whiteman looking at the topic of a public inquiry into Covid -19 from a variety of perspectives. We...

AN UPDATE: Walking the tightrope of COVID-19 - how can doctors and other healthcare professionals protect themselves from criticism?

Considering how front-line healthcare workers might protect themselves. With the 2020 "clap for the NHS" and recent outrage at the 1% pay rise for NHS staff, it is clear that the national sense of thanks for the NHS prevails and is as strong...

The Covid-19 Public Inquiry - Where are we now?

The PM's recent announcement that there will be an independent inquiry into the C-19 response has been welcomed but has also prompted difficult questions: what might the inquiry look like and involve? And what of those who want or are required to give...

Walking the tightrope of COVID-19 - how can doctors and other healthcare professionals protect themselves from future criticism?

Considering how front-line healthcare workers might protect themselves. Recently, the “clap for the NHS” came to an end, after ten weeks. Reasons for its demise include some NHS staff feeling it had been hijacked by politicians, and some...

Inquests: The impact of COVID-19, work related deaths and Article 2 ECHR

Deaths from COVID-19 are likely to give rise to the requirement to hold inquests in a wide variety of cases. This will likely pose a substantial challenge to coroners in both the timing and scope of these inquests, particularly where deaths are also linked...

Covid-19: A Public Inquiry

Calls for a public inquiry into the government and state reaction to Covid-19 are mounting. But is there actually a need for an inquiry and, if so, what form should it take and what should it investigate?  QEB Hollis Whiteman's  Nicholas...