header-logo header-logo

Lords slam lengthy inquiries

16 September 2024
Issue: 8086 / Categories: Legal News , Public , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail

Peers have called for a major overhaul of public inquiries—which they dub ‘frequently too long and expensive, leading to a loss of public confidence and protracted trauma’

An influential cross-party House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee heard evidence of people dying during the inquiry process, families feeling justice was delayed, and recommendations not being implemented, leading to the risk of a recurrence of a disaster.

Its report, ‘Public inquiries: enhancing public trust’, published this week, highlights that, while millions of pounds are spent on inquiries, ‘too little is done to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved’. Moreover, the terms of reference are often too wide—inquiries need to collect sufficient evidence ‘rather than exhaustive quantities’.

The committee recommends inquiries work to a set timescale, to avoid unnecessary cost, and that a Parliamentary Public Inquiries Committee monitor the steps being taken to implement recommendations.

Another suggestion is that more inquiries be led by an expert or panel of experts rather than a judge. While judges can add weight to an inquiry, serving judges return to the Bench and may feel unable to comment on the government’s success or failures in implementing their recommendations, the report notes. Moreover, ‘there is a risk of the perception that an inquiry will mimic a court hearing, with a consequent loss of flexibility’.

Committee chair, Lord Norton said: ‘“Lessons learned” is an entirely vacuous phrase if lessons aren’t being learned because inquiry recommendations are ignored or delayed.

‘Furthermore, it is insulting and upsetting for victims, survivors and their families who frequently hope that, from their unimaginable grief, something positive might prevail. So the monitoring and implementation of inquiry recommendations is essential.’

Issue: 8086 / Categories: Legal News , Public , Constitutional law
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll