Hillsborough Law takes centre stage at INQUEST Northern conference

A highlight of the event was a presentation by Garden Court North barrister Pete Weatherby KC, director of the Hillsborough Law Now campaign. 

Pete Weatherby KC reported that the Hillsborough Law had begun its journey through Parliament known officially as the Public Office Accountability Bill 2025. He, Leigh Day partner Leanne Devine and other lawyers had supported families and campaign groups at the presentation of the Bill earlier that week before it was laid down in Parliament.  

Pete, who also represented families of victims at the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry, has worked with INQUEST over many years to see the Hillsborough Law on the statute books. Pete and Leanne represented Hillsborough victims’ families at the judge-led fresh inquest into their deaths. 

He explained that, in line with INQUEST’s campaign, the Hillsborough Law will include a statutory duty of candour for public officials or private entities engaged to do public work. There will be a statutory duty to assist – to proactively provide information to inquests. Families will also be entitled to government funded representation “to rebalance the lawyering” of inquests and to ensure that they are able to effectively participate in the process. 

Pete said Hillsborough Law will empower public servants to be truthful and will prevent the security services and military from lying. 

The INQUEST event was also an opportunity for legal aid inquest lawyers in the Greater Manchester area to catch up on caselaw updates. They were guided through the latest developments by Kate Stone of Garden Court North Chambers.  

Leanne Devine, Anna Morris KC of Garden Court North and Gemma Vine of Ison Harrison provided guidance on the Coroner’s Bench Book and gave practical tips for latest developments in inquest practice. 

The event included a taster session from Rachel Francis, of Claiming Space and One Pump Court Chambers around vicarious trauma in the legal profession. The conclusion was a showing of the documentary film relating to the charity INQUEST which details the story of the charity’s birth and the many cases of families they have supported since 1981. 

The event was followed by a fundraising quiz in support of the INQUEST charity. 

Leigh Day partner Stephanie Hill who attended the event said: 

“INQUEST provides invaluable support to bereaved families and Leigh Day was delighted to sponsor this fantastic event. It was great to meet with other claimant lawyers based across the north, to share knowledge and experiences and learn about all the work that has been going into developing Hillsborough Law. A particular highlight was watching the very moving INQUEST documentary, surrounded by so many dedicated colleagues.”