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CONTACT US 5 PAPER BUILDINGS TEMPLE, LONDON EC4Y 7HB +44 (0)20 7583 6117 clerks@5pb.co.uk |
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"In this country we have a long tradition of establishing formal, independent and open inquiries after issues or events have arisen which give rise to public concern." Lord Falconer QC
"A common theme tends to be that the subject matter of the inquiry has exposed some possible failing in systems or services, and so has shaken public confidence in these systems or services. In today’s society, the public rightly expects that any possible failings or problems should be investigated thoroughly, and that action should be taken to prevent them happening again." 'Effective Inquiries', DCA consultation paper, May 2004 Public inquiries have captured the imagination of the public and the media. It is certain that in the immediate aftermath of any major controversial incident there will be a call for a public inquiry to investigate what has happened. Although inquiries are called to investigate a variety of very different circumstances, it is now recognised that they constitute a single and distinct area of practice from the lawyer’s point of view. The coming into force of the Inquiries Act 2005, a single statute intended “to provide a comprehensive statutory framework for inquiries set up by Ministers to look into matters of public concern”, reinforces this concept. 5pb has built substantial expertise in inquiries and can field experienced counsel at all levels. Members of the group have been involved in numerous high-profile inquiries, including:
The Legal 500 recommends Jonathan Caplan QC as a leading silk in the field, who is described as a “smooth and silky” performer. Nick Griffin is recommended as a “respected” leading junior. Disciplinary proceedings |
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