Inquest into the death of Lt. Joshua Woodhouse (2012)

Acting pro bono to assist the Royal British Legion, Selva represented the family of Lt. Joshua Woodhouse at the inquest into his death.

Lt. Woodhouse was serving aboard HMS Ocean, a Royal Navy helicopter carrier and one of the largest ships in the Navy. He died in a fall from the ship while it was in port in the USA. The only witnesses were on a passing US warship.

The jury returned a narrative verdict identifying a culture of non-compliance with safety measures on board. The inquest revealed this culture was widespread. The coroner issued a fleet-wide warning criticising the Navy for a culture of cutting corners regarding safety on its warships (Portsmouth Coroner's Court).