'Highly intelligent, outstanding thorough and industrious, with sound judgment and impeccable integrity.'
Legal 500, 2020'He's very approachable, thorough and knowledgeable. He's always able to tackle the most complex points in a case.'
Chambers UK, 2019'He is practical and conscientious beyond belief. Also, he delivers and is pretty much unflappable.'
Chambers UK, 2018
Overview
An astute and determined strategist and tactician and formidable advocate, Nicholas Griffin QC is a leader in the practice areas of both Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law and Corporate and Financial Crime. His eye for the detail and effortless, unflappable approach make him a favourite in his chosen fields.
Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law
With his intelligence, integrity, commitment and astute, tactical problem solving, Nicholas Griffin QC is highly sought-after in this field of law.
Nicholas has significant experience in complex and often extremely long public inquiries and substantial inquest work. He acts for a wide variety of clients, from individual core participants, interested parties and witnesses from a variety of backgrounds to organisations of all kinds, including corporates, government departments, educational establishments and inquiries themselves.
He advises and appears in the full range of public law matters, often where there is a connection with a criminal law issue - for example in relation to investigatory powers and surveillance law or the protection of Articles 2, 3 and 8 ECHR in the context of special measures or defendant anonymity applications.
Nicholas also conducts and assists sensitive investigations and reviews on behalf of organisations concerned about potential misconduct, acting under tight deadlines if need be.
An expert commentator in this field, he speaks on television and radio, writes in national newspapers and legal publications, and appears at conferences and training events.
Nicholas holds various senior and minister appointed positions, including as a Board Member of UK Anti-Doping (the national body which implements and manages sports anti-doping policy) and sits on the Security Vetting Appeals Panel chaired by Baroness Hallett.
Corporate & Financial Crime
Nicholas also advises widely in the field of corporate and financial crime, appearing in large and complex cases. Specialist areas within this field include offshore tax evasion and the implications of the laws governing surveillance. He has a particular interest in human rights due diligence in the corporate context, for example in relation to the operation of the supply chain provisions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The skills that have placed him at the top of the Public Law field make him exceptionally well placed to deal with internal investigations for institutions and corporates concerned about irregular activity. He is especially recognised for his ability to lead a team.
Reviews
Nicholas has been consistently featured in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 and is currently listed in their 2021 editions as a leader in the field of Inquests & Public Inquiries.
'He is highly in demand for public inquiries and you can see why. He has a great command of what is needed, his written submissions are fantastic, really exemplary, and he has an incredible eye for detail.' Chambers UK Inquests and Public Inquiries (2021)
'A silk who has long since specialised in public inquiries work. He has great judgement, is extremely bright, and has an excellent and persuasive manner.' Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2021)
‘Highly intelligent, outstanding thorough and industrious, with sound judgment and impeccable integrity.’ Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2020)
‘Regularly involved in significant public inquiries … His inquiries practice extends beyond England and includes significant instructions in Jersey and Northern Ireland … "He's thorough and able to grapple with complex issues quickly." "He gets to grips with instructions and understands public law on top of his criminal background."’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2020)
‘He's very approachable, thorough and knowledgeable. He's always able to tackle the most complex points in a case.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2019)
‘He is extremely experienced in public inquiries and provides excellent advice.’ ‘He is practical and conscientious beyond belief. Also, he delivers and is pretty much unflappable.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2018)
‘Great intelligence, integrity and commitment. He brings an astute, tactical approach to problems as well as a determination to solve them.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2017)
‘He is the best leader of a large team, is an incredibly persuasive advocate and has a great breadth of range in his expertise.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2016)
Appointments
- Security Vetting Appeals Panel member, appointment by the Prime Minister
- Authorised counsel for both the International Criminal Court and Kosovo Specialist Chambers
- UK Anti-Doping Board Member (former Chair of Audit and Risk Committee) appointment by Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
- Anti-Slavery International Trustee (2015-2020)
- Bar Council Law Reform Committee (2013-2017), chair of Surveillance and Privacy Sub-Committee
- Assistant Commissioner, Boundary Commission for England (2013 review of electoral constituency boundaries), appointment by Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform
- Assistant Commissioner to the Northern Ireland District Electoral Areas Commissioner (2013), appointment by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
- Bencher, Inner Temple
Professional Memberships
- Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
- JUSTICE
- Fellow, Royal Society of Arts
Education
- LLB in European Legal Studies, University of Bristol
- Université de Rouen (ERASMUS programme)
- Inns of Court School of Law Bar Vocational Course
Privacy Notice
Recent Cases
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Representing the University of Cambridge at the inquests, which arise from the deaths in the terror attack at Fishmongers' Hall on 29 November 2019.Further information can be found here: https://fishmongershallinquests.independent.gov.uk
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Zoe and Nicholas are representing the CPS and the Home Office respectively.
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Representing a corporate core participant at this inquiry, announced following the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London.
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Nicholas Griffin QC is representing the Home Office at this ongoing inquiry.
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Nicholas Griffin QC conducted an independent review of decisions which were made by the authorities not to prosecute individuals alleged to have abused children in the care system in Jersey.The final report of the inquiry can be found here.Counsel was ins...
News
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The Prime Minister has approved the re-appointment to the Security Vetting Appeals Panel (SVAP) of Mr Nicholas Griffin QC.He has been re-appointed as a Member for a second and final term of four years, with effect from 01 April 2021 until 31 March 2025.S...
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The Undercover Policing Inquiry was set up in 2015 to get to the truth about undercover policing across England and Wales since 1968 and provide recommendations for the future. Its hearings started on Monday, 2 November. The first few days will be taken u...
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JUSTICE's major report 'When things go wrong: the response of the justice system' is published today, 24 August. It is an interesting read: looking at the response to major disasters and systemic failings - particularly with an eye to public inquiries ...
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Nicholas will be speaking on a panel discussing inquests and inquiries alongside other practitioners in this field. The event programme is here, and includes this description of the session: “Inquests and inquiries serve as society&r...
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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 and timing ...
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The public inquiry into child sexual abuse published its Report into allegations of abuse linked to Westminster this month. It considers the institutional responses to allegations of abuse and exploitation involving persons of public prominence, such as M...
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David Spens QC and Nicholas Griffin QC have been added to the official List of Counsel of lawyers eligible to practice before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in the Hague.
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Nicholas Griffin QC will assist JUSTICE working group considering the conduct and procedure of inquests, inquiries and other proceedings that may arise in the wake of a disaster.JUSTICE has recently set up a Working Group to consider the issue of “W...
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“Impact Statements for Business”, the corporate equivalent of “Victim Personal Statements” (impact statements made by victims of crime) have been around for a while. But they have now been reconsidered by Nicholas Griffin QC and Ky...
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The Inquiry investigation into “Children Outside the UK” started on 11 February.
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Three members of Chambers involved with annual Inner Temple training session at Cumberland Lodge.
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The Supreme Court handed down judgment in Reyes v Al-Malki & Another (2017) UKSC 61, a decision on diplomatic immunity.
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Nicholas was appointed to the Board of UKAD by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
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Details of the rankings and commentaries will be published in November 2017 in the Chambers UK Bar Directory 2018.
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The Inquiry was set up to establish what went wrong in Jersey's care system over many years.
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Nicholas spoke about public inquiries after the decision to hold a public inquiry into the disaster at Grenfell Tower.
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Nicholas Griffin QC explores the implications of the Modern Slavery Act on business one year after the Act’s reporting duty began to take effect.
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Nicholas addressed current powers to spy on/access communications between lawyers and their clients.
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Mark Ellison QC comments: ‘We are delighted to welcome Nicholas'.
Articles
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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 evi...
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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 Griffin QC
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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 and timing ...
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Nicholas Griffin QC and Kyan Pucks outline the benefits of corporate crime practitioners utilising ISBs in the interest of their clients.The article which was published by LexisNexis can be viewed here.
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Part 2 of a special two part analysis by Nicholas Griffin QC, Jason Mansell, Tom Broomfield and Rhys Meggy.
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Part 1 of a special two part analysis by Nicholas Griffin QC, Jason Mansell, Tom Broomfield and Rhys Meggy.
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Nicholas Griffin QC and Tom Broomfield have worked with Lexis®PSL to provide two Practice Notes on tax evasion.
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Nicholas Griffin QC considers the CJEU Watson decision on UK surveillance law.
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Nicholas and Tom respond to the Court of Justice of the EU's landmark ruling in the joined cases of Sverige AB v Post-och telestyrelsen, and SSHD v Tom Watson and Others.
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He notes that 'Increasingly now you get a group of lawyers who have become inquiries specialists'.
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Nick Griffin QC comments on the implications that the CJEU decision in the case of MP Tom Watson has for UK surveillance law.
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Nicholas Griffin QC and Peter Watkin Jones assess the Inquiries Act 2005 ten years on in the Law Society Gazette.
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Nicholas Griffin QC and Celia Pilkington consider the history of the anti-slavery movement in the Inner Temple Yearbook 2015-2016 on the topic of slavery.
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Nicholas Griffin QC, Robert O’Sullivan QC and Gordon Nardell QC consider legal professional privilege in the context of state surveillance - New Law Journal 27 February 2015
Corporate and Financial Crime
A silk recognised for his keen intellect and astute strategic judgement, Nicholas Griffin QC is sought-after for his unfailing commitment to a case outside of the court room as much as he is for his fluent, charming and persuasive advocacy in it.
Overview
Nicholas advises widely in the field of corporate and financial crime, appearing in large and complex cases. Specialist areas within this field include offshore tax evasion and the implications of the laws governing surveillance. He has a particular interest in human rights due diligence in the corporate context, for example in relation to the operation of the supply chain provisions of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. He is exceptionally well placed to deal with internal investigations for institutions and corporates concerned about irregular activity. He is especially recognised for his ability to lead a team.
Experience
An incisive advocate, Nicholas advises across the spectrum of corporate and financial crime, often on niche and complex points of law. He has appeared in some of the most prominent cases of recent years; in 2014 he successfully defended the former News of the World managing editor in the high-profile trial concerning allegations of conspiracy to a) intercept voicemails of celebrities, members of the Royal Family and others and b) commit misconduct in public office.
Nicholas brings his background in criminal law and expertise in the conduct of inquiries to undertake internal investigations for institutions concerned about irregular activity and to provide specialist advice to state bodies, corporates and others on the operation of laws governing surveillance and related activities, arising from the operation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. He heads the QEB Business and Human Rights Group and writes and lectures in human rights due diligence in the corporate context. He has extensive knowledge of recent offshore tax evasion legislation having provided advice on the topic in Jersey and in the UK to various firms specialising in corporate crime.
He is a contributor to LexisNexis Butterworths’ Fraud: Law, Practice and Procedure and writes on matters of interest within the corporate and financial crime field, also including the recent legislation concerning offshore tax evasion. His vast knowledge and legal acumen place him amongst the best in this area of law.
Notable Cases
Advice Re: A Major Delivery Service
Advising major delivery service company in relation to its powers and obligations under privacy and surveillance law.Protection of Article 2 rights in criminal proceedings
Representing individuals seeking anonymity in the context of ongoing serious criminal proceedings.R v Brooks, Coulson & Others
Successfully defended former News of the World managing editor in trial involving allegations of conspiracy to a) intercept voicemails of celebrities, members of the Royal Family and others and b) commit misconduct in public office.News
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“Impact Statements for Business”, the corporate equivalent of “Victim Personal Statements” (impact statements made by victims of crime) have been around for a while. But they have now been reconsidered by Nicholas Griffin QC and Ky...
Articles
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Nicholas Griffin QC and Kyan Pucks outline the benefits of corporate crime practitioners utilising ISBs in the interest of their clients.The article which was published by LexisNexis can be viewed here.
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Part 2 of a special two part analysis by Nicholas Griffin QC, Jason Mansell, Tom Broomfield and Rhys Meggy.
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Part 1 of a special two part analysis by Nicholas Griffin QC, Jason Mansell, Tom Broomfield and Rhys Meggy.
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Public Law
Heading QEB's Inquests, Inquiries & Public Law team, Nicholas Griffin QC impresses with his conscientious, imperturbable and authoritative approach; he is a natural leader.
Overview
With his intelligence, integrity, commitment and astute, tactical problem solving, Nicholas Griffin QC is highly sought-after in this field of law.
Nicholas has significant experience in complex and often extremely long public inquiries and substantial inquest work. He acts for a wide variety of clients, from individual core participants, interested persons and witnesses from a variety of backgrounds to organisations of all kinds, including corporates, government departments, educational establishments and inquiries themselves.
He advises and appears in the full range of public law matters, often where there is a connection with a criminal law issue, for example in relation to investigatory powers and surveillance law or the protection of Articles 2, 3 and 8 ECHR in the context of special measures or defendant anonymity applications.
Nicholas also conducts and assists sensitive investigations and reviews on behalf of organisations concerned about potential misconduct, acting under tight deadlines if need be.
An expert commentator in this field, he speaks on television and radio, writes in national newspapers and legal publications, and appears at conferences and training events.
Nicholas holds various senior and minister appointed positions, including as a Board Member of UK Anti-Doping (the national body which implements and manages sports anti-doping policy) and sits on the Security Vetting Appeals Panel chaired by Baroness Hallett.
Experience
Nicholas’ involvement in the field of public law has included every possible role in all types of public inquiry and inquisitorial proceedings, frequently at the very highest level.
He has significant experience on behalf of major clients in complex and often extremely long public inquiries and substantial inquest work. Currently instructed in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Fishmongers' Hall Inquests, he is representing two corporate core participants and a university respectively. He has recently ended lengthy involvements in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the Undercover Policing Inquiry, in which he was representing a government department and minister respectively.
Instructed as an independent expert witness, he gave evidence at the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry, providing evidence about police investigations into allegations of sexual abuse in care homes and similar institutions on the island.
Nicholas was also instructed in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry where he represented a large number of soldiers of all ranks, including several who were alleged unlawfully to have killed demonstrators at a civil rights march in 1972. Instructed by the Treasury Solicitor between 1998 and 2010, it was the longest public inquiry in UK legal history. Further work in Northern Ireland has included representation of the police murder investigation team in the long-running Rosemary Nelson inquiry and advising in respect of the Ballymurphy Inquest.
His experience has included public law litigation of the utmost sensitivity and complexity. He represented defendants in linked cases concerning allegations of UK collusion in rendition and torture in Guantànamo Bay (Al Rawi & Others v Security Service, Secret Intelligence Service, Attorney General, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Home Office).
He never fails to impress the market with his knowledge, experience and approach; he is justifiably one of the first choices in this field.
Notable Cases
Grenfell Tower InquiryRepresenting two utility companies at inquiry examining the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the fire on 14 June 2017 at Grenfell Tower, London, in which 72 people died. Ongoing.Fishmongers' Hall InquestsRepresenting a university at the inquests arising from the deaths in the terror attack at Fishmongers' Hall on 29 November 2019. Ongoing.Undercover Policing InquiryRepresented the Home Secretary at public inquiry considering allegations of inappropriate conduct since 1968 by undercover police officers in England and Wales.Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual AbuseRepresented the Home Office at public inquiry set up to consider the extent to which institutions failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.Ballymurphy InquestAdvised certain witnesses in connection with inquest examining the deaths of 10 people in August 1971 during the 'Ballymurphy Massacre' in Northern Ireland.Independent Jersey Care Inquiry
Instructed by the Inquiry to giving evidence as independent expert witness about police investigations into allegations of sexual abuse in care homes and similar institutions on the island.Al Rawi & Others v Security Service, SIS, Attorney General, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Home Office
The Guantánamo Bay litigation concerning allegations of UK collusion in illegal rendition and torture, acted for the defendants.The Rosemary Nelson Inquiry
Represented a chief constable and large number of police officers involved in investigation of Mrs Nelson’s death, in inquiry considering allegations of state collusion in this terrorist murder.The Bloody Sunday Inquiry (1998 - 2010)
Representing a large number of military witnesses at long-running inquiry considering their conduct on 30 January 1972, on which day 13 people were killed and a similar number injured in Derry (Londonderry), Northern Ireland.Boundary Commission for England / District Electoral Areas Commissioner (Northern Ireland)
Sat as Assistant Commissioner and holding or assisting in public inquiries concerning the siting of electoral boundaries.Reviews
Nicholas has been consistently featured in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 and is currently listed in their 2021 editions as an expert in Inquests & Public Inquiries.
'He is highly in demand for public inquiries and you can see why. He has a great command of what is needed, his written submissions are fantastic, really exemplary, and he has an incredible eye for detail.' Chambers UK Inquests and Public Inquiries (2021)
'A silk who has long since specialised in public inquiries work. He has great judgement, is extremely bright, and has an excellent and persuasive manner.' Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2021)
‘Highly intelligent, outstanding thorough and industrious, with sound judgment and impeccable integrity.’ Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2020)
‘Regularly involved in significant public inquiries … His inquiries practice extends beyond England and includes significant instructions in Jersey and Northern Ireland … "He's thorough and able to grapple with complex issues quickly." "He gets to grips with instructions and understands public law on top of his criminal background."’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2020)
‘He's very approachable, thorough and knowledgeable. He's always able to tackle the most complex points in a case.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2019)
‘He is extremely experienced in public inquiries and provides excellent advice.’ ‘He is practical and conscientious beyond belief. Also, he delivers and is pretty much unflappable.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2018)
‘Great intelligence, integrity and commitment. He brings an astute, tactical approach to problems as well as a determination to solve them.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2017)
‘He is the best leader of a large team, is an incredibly persuasive advocate and has a great breadth of range in his expertise.’ Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2016)
Recent Cases
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Representing the University of Cambridge at the inquests, which arise from the deaths in the terror attack at Fishmongers' Hall on 29 November 2019.Further information can be found here: https://fishmongershallinquests.independent.gov.uk
-
Zoe and Nicholas are representing the CPS and the Home Office respectively.
-
Representing a corporate core participant at this inquiry, announced following the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London.
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Nicholas Griffin QC is representing the Home Office at this ongoing inquiry.
-
Nicholas Griffin QC conducted an independent review of decisions which were made by the authorities not to prosecute individuals alleged to have abused children in the care system in Jersey.The final report of the inquiry can be found here.Counsel was ins...
News
-
The Prime Minister has approved the re-appointment to the Security Vetting Appeals Panel (SVAP) of Mr Nicholas Griffin QC.He has been re-appointed as a Member for a second and final term of four years, with effect from 01 April 2021 until 31 March 2025.S...
-
The Undercover Policing Inquiry was set up in 2015 to get to the truth about undercover policing across England and Wales since 1968 and provide recommendations for the future. Its hearings started on Monday, 2 November. The first few days will be taken u...
-
JUSTICE's major report 'When things go wrong: the response of the justice system' is published today, 24 August. It is an interesting read: looking at the response to major disasters and systemic failings - particularly with an eye to public inquiries ...
-
Nicholas will be speaking on a panel discussing inquests and inquiries alongside other practitioners in this field. The event programme is here, and includes this description of the session: “Inquests and inquiries serve as society&r...
-
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 and timing ...
-
The public inquiry into child sexual abuse published its Report into allegations of abuse linked to Westminster this month. It considers the institutional responses to allegations of abuse and exploitation involving persons of public prominence, such as M...
-
Nicholas Griffin QC will assist JUSTICE working group considering the conduct and procedure of inquests, inquiries and other proceedings that may arise in the wake of a disaster.JUSTICE has recently set up a Working Group to consider the issue of “W...
-
“Impact Statements for Business”, the corporate equivalent of “Victim Personal Statements” (impact statements made by victims of crime) have been around for a while. But they have now been reconsidered by Nicholas Griffin QC and Ky...
-
The Inquiry investigation into “Children Outside the UK” started on 11 February.
-
Three members of Chambers involved with annual Inner Temple training session at Cumberland Lodge.
-
The Supreme Court handed down judgment in Reyes v Al-Malki & Another (2017) UKSC 61, a decision on diplomatic immunity.
-
The Inquiry was set up to establish what went wrong in Jersey's care system over many years.
-
Nicholas spoke about public inquiries after the decision to hold a public inquiry into the disaster at Grenfell Tower.
-
Nicholas Griffin QC explores the implications of the Modern Slavery Act on business one year after the Act’s reporting duty began to take effect.
-
Nicholas addressed current powers to spy on/access communications between lawyers and their clients.
Articles
-
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 evi...
-
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 Griffin QC
-
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 and timing ...
-
Nicholas Griffin QC considers the CJEU Watson decision on UK surveillance law.
-
Nicholas and Tom respond to the Court of Justice of the EU's landmark ruling in the joined cases of Sverige AB v Post-och telestyrelsen, and SSHD v Tom Watson and Others.
-
He notes that 'Increasingly now you get a group of lawyers who have become inquiries specialists'.
-
Nick Griffin QC comments on the implications that the CJEU decision in the case of MP Tom Watson has for UK surveillance law.
-
Nicholas Griffin QC and Peter Watkin Jones assess the Inquiries Act 2005 ten years on in the Law Society Gazette.
-
Nicholas Griffin QC and Celia Pilkington consider the history of the anti-slavery movement in the Inner Temple Yearbook 2015-2016 on the topic of slavery.
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Nicholas Griffin QC, Robert O’Sullivan QC and Gordon Nardell QC consider legal professional privilege in the context of state surveillance - New Law Journal 27 February 2015
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