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Inquests & Inquiries |
From fatal road accidents leading to criminal proceedings, to complicated and high profile deaths in suspicious circumstances, members of chambers have developed considerable expertise in inquests. This work has taken members of chambers to Coroner’s Courts all over the country.
In addition to the experience Chambers has in this field, the skills members have developed through regular advocacy in the Crown Court are invaluable tools in the Coroner’s Court–presenting cases before a jury, examining witnesses, and handling complex legal argument.
Over the years, members of Chambers have appeared in a wide variety of inquests:
Max Hill QC has acted on behalf of the Home Office in inquests relating to deaths in custody. He is currently instructed to lead the team for the Metropolitan Police at the inquest into the 56 deaths on 7th July 2005, before Lady Justice Hallett.
Gerard Pounder has also appeared in a number of inquests on behalf of the Home Office in death-in-custody cases; in addition he has regularly represented motorists who have caused fatalities, as well as the families of the victims. He has also been involved in inquests relating to health and safety at work.
Matthew Gowen represented the Lubbock family in the high-profile inquest into the death of Stuart Lubbock at the home of entertainer Michael Barrymore in 2002.
Tom Forster has particular experience in industrial accidents, and has been instructed for the deceased’s estate, the insurers of the relevant employer, and third parties such as the Police; he has also appeared as a Special Advocate.
Other senior members of Chambers, such as David Cocks QC, Antony Shaw QC, Rosamund Horwood-Smart QC (who was involved in the famous Calvi Inquests of the 1980’s), David Holborn and Janine Sheff bring a wealth of experience in this line of work.
Among the more junior members of Chambers, Nicola May and Stephen Rose have appeared in a number of inquests, while Mathew Orr, Jane Oldfield, Trevor Archer and Sarah Lewis have all represented the party said to have caused the death: Trevor and Sarah have appeared in several jury inquests.
Recent inquiry work has included the Turks & Caicos Islands Commission of Inquiry into governmental corruption in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Alex Milne and Sarah Clark acted as Counsel and Deputy Counsel for this Inquiry, which was led by Sir Robin Auld. Recommendations which were implemented included the temporary suspending of the Islands' constitution in order to facilitate the restoration good governance and sound financial management. Following the Inquiry, Helen Garlick and Lee Marler were appointed Special Prosecutor and Deputy Special Prosecutor to the Islands to investigate whether any criminal proceedings should be brought in response to Inquiry's findings.
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