Public Inquiries
Our public, administrative and constitutional law specialists have significant experience in advising clients on high-profile and complex public inquiries in Scotland.
Overview
Public Inquiry advice and representation
Harper Macleod’s public law team has significant experience in advising and representing individuals, public bodies and other organisations at high-profile and complex public inquiries in Scotland.
We are regularly called upon to advise clients concerning the application of the Inquiries Act 2005 and supporting them through the inquiry process, which has become a critical element of the Scottish and UK democratic landscape. Our clients’ interests and reputations are at the forefront of our approach to advising on public inquiries.
Our specialist lawyers have extensive experience of advising and representing clients through Scotland’s most significant recent public inquiries, including the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry, the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry and the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
We advise core participants on politically-sensitive matters, calling upon our multi-disciplinary team of subject-matter specialists to provide incisive advice, often at short notice and against a highly-scrutinised backdrop as proceedings take place in the public eye.
We are embedded in Scotland’s public sector. Our work in public inquiries in Scotland is led by Jennifer Jack, who has been independently ranked in the highest tier in Public & Administrative Law by legal directory Chambers UK for several years and her experience and client following greatly enhance Harper Macleod’s practice in this field.
Our Chairman, Professor Lorne Crerar who has wide experience in the public sector, has been appointed by the Scottish Government to undertake several independent reviews.
Many of our Partners and Solicitors hold external appointments in the public sector and with relevant industry groups, enhancing our understanding of the dynamics, stakeholders and relationships that exist within the public law environment. Our knowledge is deepened by colleagues who work in-house on secondments with public sector clients.
We adopt an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to include specialists in our dedicated public law, dispute resolution, projects, employment and corporate teams.
Our specialist public inquiry lawyers draw their expertise from a wide range of sectors ranging from family law to construction and healthcare.
Services
• Pre-inquiry investigations
• Information governance processes such as data protection and confidentiality
• Document management and review as well as document preparation and presentation
• Witness preparation and statement taking as well as witness support at hearings
• Representation at hearings including the preparation of legal submissions
• Reputation management
• Litigation related to, or arising from, the work of the Inquiry
• Attendance at, or participation in, a Public Inquiry
Key contacts
THE TEAM
Our team of specialists has an in-depth experience of public inquiries, and advising clients to protect their interests and reputations
Articles
Insights
Update on the Scottish Covid-19 Public Inquiry – new Chair appointed
Insights
Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability, and usability of Scotland’s homes
Insights
Hedging your bets – RSLs approach to managing interest rate exposure
Insights
Scotland’s housing crisis – what does it mean?
Insights
Quality Homes and further clarification of NPF4 following Miller Homes Ltd v Scottish Ministers
Insights
A brief review of the Housing (Scotland) Bill
Insights
The new Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme: Has Falkirk Council shown us the future for Scotland’s neglected and ownerless property?
Insights
Judges are not akin to employees of Scottish Government
“All members of the team really go the extra mile to ensure we feel supported and bring their extensive experience to bat in all our interactions.”
“The lawyers are very knowledgeable and skilled.”
“Harper Macleod houses a thorough and well-run team.”
“Harper Macleod are very approachable and we have good relationships with a number of solicitors there. Their advice is sound, they are efficient, and they are very flexible, too.”
“Harper MacLeod are very good at advising us on developments and updates to the law and the implications of certain changes and the interplay between different bits of legislation.”
“Jennifer makes difficult work look easy. She’s got a steady and unthwartable quality, meaning that in the face of immense pressure she has the ability to keep a well-guided hand on things.” “Jennifer always provides excellent advice appropriate to our organisation.” “She is a trusted and incredibly reliable adviser in whom we have complete confidence.” “She is a dedicated and knowledgeable practitioner who is the consumate professional.”
“She is a leading light in the human rights world.”
CONTACT US
Call us for free on 0330 159 5555 or complete our online form below to submit your enquiry or arrange a call back.