Inquests, inquiries & investigations

Inquests, inquiries & investigations overview

Gatehouse Chambers’ Inquests, Inquiries and Investigations Team act in complex inquests, public inquiries and investigations across the UK. Members are instructed in deaths in custody, healthcare inquests, care home deaths, health and safety fatalities, fatal road traffic accidents, deaths on construction and industrial sites, and homicide-related inquests. Drawing on expertise across personal injury, clinical negligence and construction, the team acts for government departments, NHS Trusts and Health Boards, emergency services, custodial institutions, local authorities, insurers and private care providers, working closely with specialist solicitors throughout the investigative and inquest process.

The team is regularly instructed in high-profile public inquiries and major investigations of national significance, with experience across some of the UK’s most prominent proceedings, including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, the Nottingham Inquiry, the Manston Inquiry, the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry and the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan.

Leading the team’s inquests and inquiry work is Emma Zeb KC and Sam Karim KC, both of whom are standout practitioners in complex Article 2 ECHR jury inquests, public inquiries and major investigations. Emma Zeb KC is widely recognised for her strategic oversight, forensic advocacy and assured handling of the most sensitive and high-profile matters, including the Covid-19, Nottingham and Manston Inquiries. Described by Legal 500 as “in a class of her own”, she is regularly instructed in cases involving deaths in custody, homicide, healthcare-related fatalities, multi-agency investigations and matters engaging systemic failings and intense public scrutiny. Her practice combines careful judgment with formidable advocacy, and she is also regularly appointed as Counsel to the Inquest. Sam Karim KC is regularly instructed in complex inquests and public inquiries on behalf of individuals, families, public bodies, corporate entities and statutory organisations. He has been involved in the Covid-19, Manston, Thirlwall, Grenfell and Brook House Inquiries, acting for senior government figures and departments, and has been described as a leading silk in public inquiries who is “extremely sharp and an exemplary advocate.” (Legal 500)

The wider team includes experienced inquiry and inquest practitioners with substantial expertise across public sector and regulatory work.

• Henry Slack is regularly instructed in both Article 2 and non-Article 2 inquests. He represents an array of interested persons including families, healthcare bodies and professionals, local authorities and companies He is also able to advise on the potential for civil and criminal proceedings following inquest verdicts.
• Aneurin Moloney is regularly instructed in inquests, usually arising out of deaths following suspected negligent medical treatment. He is frequently instructed in Article 2 inquests, and also has experience with juries.
• Jake Rowley is regularly instructed in complex public inquiries and inquests, including work on the Manston Inquiry, where he has advised on issues arising from immigration detention conditions and operational decision-making.
• Emma Hynes is praised by Legal 500 as “a first-class advocate with an excellent knowledge of the law” and is regularly instructed in complex inquiries and inquests. Her recent experience includes work on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, where she has advised on issues arising across multiple modules, and the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, reflecting her strength in handling large-scale, high-profile proceedings involving sensitive evidence, public scrutiny and complex procedural and evidential issues.
• Helena Drage has acted in the Covid-19, Post Office Horizon IT and Afghanistan Inquiries, bringing extensive experience in large-scale disclosure, witness handling and inquiry procedure, and is an experienced Advocate and has acted in a number of high-profile cases involving self-inflicted deaths, and health-related inquests.
• George Eyre has developed a strong reputation through his work on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and related fire safety and construction matters.
• Mark Erridge has worked on Nottingham Public Inquiry and the Manston Inquiry, both involving issues of significant public concern and institutional accountability.
• Honorary member, Vanessa McKinlay, is a full-time Area Coroner for Somerset with extensive experience in inquest law, particularly in cases involving complex medical and healthcare issues.

Investigations

In addition to its inquests and inquiry work, the team advises on related investigations arising from complex commercial disputes, professional negligence claims and litigation funding issues. This work often involves the forensic analysis of retainers, funding structures and costs arrangements, as well as associated questions of professional conduct, particularly in multi-party or high-value matters. It also extends to issues involving directors and senior employees, including investigations into decision-making, governance, duties and workplace conduct, often preceding or running alongside potential civil, regulatory or disciplinary proceedings.

• Recent cases

  UK Covid-19 Inquiry

  Representation in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry across multiple modules, including pandemic preparedness, public procurement, central government decision-making and the impact of Covid-19 on specific groups. Work has included advising on government policy and inquiry strategy, drafting corporate and witness evidence, handling sensitive material, and supporting senior officials and witnesses in high-profile public inquiry proceedings.

  Barrister(s)

  Sam Karim KC, Emma Zeb KC, Emma Hynes, Helena Drage

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  Grenfell Tower Inquiry

  Representation in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, including drafting sections of the final report and advising on complex evidential issues relating to cladding, product testing, construction materials and fire safety. The work reflects substantial experience in major public inquiries involving building safety, public risk and technical expert evidence.

  Barrister(s)

  Sam Karim KC, Emma Hynes, George Eyre, Helena Drage

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  Article 2 Inquests involving Police and Public Authorities

  Representation in complex Article 2 inquests involving police forces and other public authorities, including cases arising from deaths following police contact, suicide risk management, safeguarding failures and alleged breaches of operational duties. These inquests often raise issues of institutional accountability, systems failures and the duty to protect vulnerable individuals.

  Barrister(s)

  Sam Karim KC, Emma Zeb KC, Aneurin Moloney, Henry Slack, Helena Drage

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  Deaths in Custody and Prison Death Inquests

  Representation in deaths in custody cases and prison death inquests, including matters involving custodial healthcare, substance misuse, Article 2 obligations and alleged systemic failings in prison management. These inquests frequently involve multiple interested parties, public authorities and related civil or public law proceedings.

  Barrister(s)

  Emma Zeb KC, Sam Karim KC, Henry Slack, Aneurin Moloney, Helena Drage

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  The Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan

  Acting for the Ministry of Defence’s Corporate Team in this inquiry, which is considering allegations of extrajudicial killings said to have taken place in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

  Barrister(s)

  Helena Drage

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  The Lampard Inquiry

  Instructed as part of a small team of counsel for the Health and Safety Executive in The Lampard Inquiry.

  Barrister(s)

  Helena Drage

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  The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry

  Instructed as part of a small counsel team by the Department for Business and Trade during key modules concerning complaints and concerns, and current practice and procedure. Her work included briefing senior government officials and taking witness statements from those involved historically with the Horizon system and the Bates & Others v Post Office Ltd litigation.

  Barrister(s)

  Helena Drage

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  Nottingham Public Inquiry

  Independent statutory inquiry arising from the June 2023 Nottingham attacks.

  Barrister(s)

  Emma Zeb KC, Mark Erridge

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  Manston Inquiry

  Independent inquiry into the conditions and operational decision-making at an immigration processing centre.

  Barrister(s)

  Emma Zeb KC, Sam Karim KC, Jake Rowley, Mark Erridge