Public Inquiries Masterclass

How do you establish a public inquiry? Do you argue for a panel to sit with the Chair? Do you need assessors? How do you deal with “secret” evidence? 

These are just some of the questions that our experienced public inquiry barristers will seek to answer, examining all the relevant and recent case law, so that practitioners, whether new to the field or experienced in it, will take away a deeper understanding of the inquiry process.

Garden Court is one of the leading barristers' chambers in the UK representing core participants in public inquiries and bereaved families in inquests.

Our barrister speakers for this event have been instructed in many of the ground-breaking public inquiries including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Undercover Policing Inquiry and the Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry. They are also experienced in related public law challenges.

This event is hosted by the Garden Court Chambers Civil Liberties Team. 

Programme

13:45-14:00 
Registration

14:00-14:15 
Keynote
Leslie Thomas QC (Chair)

14:15-14:55 
Establishing a public inquiry: the statutory and non-statutory criteria
Stephanie Harrison QC and stephen clark

14:55-15:35 
Inquest or public inquiry?
Stephen Simblet and Thalia Maragh

15:35-15:50 
Refreshments

15:50-16:30
The make-up of the Inquiry panel
Allison Munroe and Joanne Cecil

16:30-17:10
"Secret Evidence": the Restriction Order process and public law challenges
AMANDA WESTON QC and maya sikand

17:10-17:30
Q&A Session 

17:30
Drinks reception