Inquests and Public Inquiries

We have a large number of experienced personnel who are able to assist and advise you in both of these complex, sensitive and often high profile areas of healthcare law.

With regard to Inquests, you are in safe hands with Ward Hadaway as we have extensive experience of representing Trusts at highly sensitive and contentious Inquests in the areas of clinical negligence, mental health and health and safety.

Our team are regularly involved in Inquests which have invoked Article 2 of the Human Rights Act and those with extensive media interest.

We are well aware of the impact a critical determination by a Coroner can have on a Trust’s reputation and the morale of your clinicians. We are confident that we can support the Trust throughout the entire process and limit its exposure to any negative findings from a Coroner or the possibility of a Regulation 28 report. Our advice would include:

• Undertaking a full assessment of the matter immediate upon our instruction to establish whether or not legal representation is in fact required
• Preparing witness statements on behalf of your clinicians
• Advising on disclosure to the Coroner and/or the family
• Advising in relation to Serious Incident investigations and reporting
• Advising on the Duty of Candour
• Assisting the Trust to develop and action a management plan to address any issues that are identified before the Inquest, in order to avoid a Regulation 28 report from the Coroner
• Preparing a preliminary analysis to assist the Trust to request funding from NHS Resolution in appropriate cases
• Supporting the Trust’s witnesses throughout the process
• Liaising with the Coroner
• Undertaking the advocacy at the Inquest
• Assisting the Trust to handle press inquiries and the media
• Preparing a full report following the Inquest
• Partaking in “Lessons Learned” sessions after the event
• Assisting the Trust with its response to any Regulation 28 report

We also have significant experience of representing Trusts’ interests during public inquiries including advice in relation to disclosure, media interest and reporting to the Department of Health.

We also routinely assist our healthcare clients to prepare for police interviews and Court appearances and have a team of very experienced advocates practising in the Magistrates and Crown Courts.

We are confident that we can meet all of your needs with regard to representation during public inquiries and Inquests.

For further information on how we can help please get in touch.