A public inquiry may be convened by Government to address an area of public concern. In recent years, high profile public inquiries have generated a great deal of media coverage and significant interest from the public. Conducting yourself through an inquiry requires resource, both time and effort, but also a determination to act with integrity.
There are two types of Public Inquiry in which you may become involved:
- Statutory (those established under the Inquiries Act 2005); and
- Non-statutory inquiries
Statutory inquiries are more formal and have powers to obtain documents and compel witnesses to give evidence. However, both types of Public Inquiries are established to investigate and review in detail, events which involve a matter of public concern.
Each public inquiry will have its own terms of reference, which will set out why the inquiry has been set up and what it is investigating. The overall purpose of every public inquiry is to provide an impartial view of what has happened, to identify any failings which may have occurred, and to make recommendations for the future.
Public inquiries are chaired by an experienced professional, who is often a serving or retired judge. Some inquiries also have a panel of members, who bring relevant experience to support the inquiry Chair. The public inquiry will collect and review documentary evidence including witness statements, and may hold private or public hearings to hear oral submissions and oral evidence from witnesses. Increasingly evidence is being heard very much in the public eye being live streamed through YouTube.
Those who may become involved in a public inquiry include individuals (victims/survivors or their relatives), professionals, senior executives, public officials, charities, public sector bodies and businesses.
The final stage of a public inquiry is the publication of the inquiry report. This sets out details of the evidence which the inquiry has reviewed, what conclusions it has reached - which often includes criticisms of individuals and organisations, and what recommendations the inquiry is making. The intention is to prevent similar issues from happening again.
How might you become involved in a public inquiry?
There are a number of ways you may become involved in a public inquiry. Participation may be voluntary, because you want to participate and are responding to a call for evidence, or it may be because you have received a formal request for evidence from an inquiry and you need to respond. Whatever the reason, we have professional and dedicated solicitors who can guide you through the process.
