Case studies

Inquests

Examples of our work in this area

London Bombings

We represented the London Ambulance Service (LAS) at one of the largest inquests ever held concerning the deaths of 53 people. Issues included the response of the emergency services, whether more lives could have been saved and whether risk management recommendations needed to be made. After a six month hearing the Coroner only made one fairly minor risk management recommendation to the LAS.

Baby P

The death of baby Peter triggered a wide review of child protection services with national implications and caused public outrage. We represented all NHS organisations involved in the Coroner’s Inquiry and specifically dealt with legal arguments as to whether the Coroner had sufficient cause to resume the Inquest into baby Peter’s death in light of all of the other investigations. After hearing submissions, the Coroner was persuaded not to resume the inquest.

Maternal deaths

We represented the NHS Trust at inquests into a series of maternal deaths at the hospital. The cases were also part of a review by the Care Quality Commission into the Trust’s maternity services which resulted in special measures. We advised on clinical governance issues and were able to show the Coroner that significant changes had been made and that it was a safe service. We also handled the negligence claims arising in liaison with the NHS Litigation Authority.

Rita Goodson

We represented the NHS Trust involved in this test case covering how inquests into deaths in hospital should be conducted in accordance with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Coroner and the Court on Appeal accepted our case that independent expert evidence and a wider, Article 2 compliant inquiry by the Coroner is not required where the death raised no more than a potential liability in negligence.