Analysis of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Final Report

The final report of Sir Brian Langstaff, Chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, has been handed down today. Sir Brian is forthright in his criticism of the events that led initially to transmission of infection and the subsequent response of the NHS and government. Steven Snowden KC of 12 King’s Bench Walk (instructed by Collins Solicitors) led Dr Achas Burin of 12KBW and Brian Cummins of Old Square Chambers, representing the largest group of infected and affected individuals at the Inquiry (1,500+ core and non-core participants).

Inquiries Update: Three Things You Need to Know

Achas Burin updates readers on three essential news items concerning the future of Public Inquiries: the commencement of the Lampard Inquiry, the Norton committee reviewing Inquiries and the government consultation on apologies following the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

R (on the application of Maguire) v HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool & Fylde and another

In this post, Alex Carington considers the Supreme Court’s decision in an appeal by the family of the Deceased who sought to challenge the Coroner’s decision that Art. 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998 did not require an expanded conclusion having heard all of the evidence at the inquest such that the jury were requested to return a short form conclusion only. The appeal also raised issues about the boundary of the systems duty and operational duty (and the content of both) as well as the boundary between the enhanced procedural obligation on one hand and basic procedural obligation together with the redress procedural obligation on the other.

Bell v HM Coroner for South Yorkshire (Eastern District)

In this post, Alex Carington considers a recent unsuccessful application under s. 13 of the Coroner’s Act 1988 in light of new evidence to quash an inquest in 1992 into the death of a woman who stepped into the path of an oncoming train where an open verdict was reached.

Infected Blood Inquiry orders compensation to be paid

The Infected Blood Inquiry published its second interim report on Wednesday, 5 April 2023. Steven Snowden KC and Achas Burin of 12KBW, alongside Brian Cummins of Old Square Chambers, represented the largest group of victims in the Inquiry. In this blog article, Achas summarises and comments on the second interim report.

Case comment: Dove v HM Assistant Coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool [2023] EWCA Civ 289

12KBW pupil Corinne Novell gives an update on this case and the outcome of the Court of Appeal hearing, in which challenges were brought with regard to Article 2 and seeking a fresh inquest.

2022 Inquest Cases Round-up

In this article, pupil Jake Loomes looks at seven significant inquest law judgments of 2022.

Morahan v HM Assistant Coroner for West London

In this article, pupil Rebecca Henshaw discusses the recent appeal judgment in Morahan, which deals with the issue of when the enhanced investigative duty under Article 2 of the ECHR will be automatically engaged in an inquest.

Causation: A Recent Case Lays Bare the Different Approaches at Inquest and Trial

In this post, Helen Waller discusses the case of R (on the application of Wandsworth BC) -v- HM Senior Coroner for Inner West London [2021] EWHC 801 (Admin). The High Court recently dealt with a question that will be of interest to anyone handling cases in the Coronial Courts, but particularly those handling cases of fatal asbestos-related disease. The question was what evidence is required to show that asbestos exposure led to a specific death? The Court made clear that the answer to that question differs depending on whether the question is being asked in the context of a coronial investigation or a civil trial.

Welcome

Welcome to this blog, where we aim to keep you updated on developments in the law of inquests and public inquiries.