investigation into a prison death
the challenge:
To defend two public bodies during an inquiry into a prison
death and to ensure there were no adverse findings of neglect.
our approach:
having been approached separately to act for both public bodies
involved in the investigation, we first considered whether this
gave us a conflict. Having established that it did not, we were
able to utilise our in-house barrister to represent both parties at
a five day hearing, which meant that they were also able to share
the costs. We presented evidence in support of both public bodies,
from their individual perspectives, enabling those issues to be
resolved favourably. We were also successful in some potential
issues not being pursued publicly at the inquiry.
the result:
There were no adverse findings of neglect against the two bodies
and no indication of any failing on their part; costs were shared
not duplicated; the clients avoided any adverse press coverage as a
result of the inquiry and had a greater appreciation of each
other’s position.