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Public Inquiries, FAIs and Tribunals

Ampersand is one for the leading sets for all public inquiry matters, including Fatal accident inquiries and tribunals. Our members have appeared and advised across a number of the leading inquiries as counsel to the inquiry or representing interested parties. Inquiries cover a range of subject matters and some of the notable inquiries members have been instructed in recently include:

  • The Eljamel and NHS Tayside Public Inquiry (Chaired by Lord Weir)
  • UK Covid-19 Inquiry (UK Wide Inquiry – Chaired by Baroness Hallett)
  • Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry (Chaired by Lord Brailsford)
  • Sheku Bayoh Inquiry (Examining the events surrounding the death of Sheku Bayoh and the subsequent investigation and whether race was a factor – Chaired by Lord Bracadale)
  • Infected Blood Inquiry (UK Wide Inquiry – Chaired by Sir Brian Flagstaff)
  • Scottish Hospitals Inquiry (Construction of Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Campus, Glasgow and Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh – Chaired by Lord Brodie)
  • Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Chaired by Lady Smith)
  • Edinburgh Trams Inquiry (Chaired by Lord Hardie)
  • Penrose Inquiry (Hepatitis C/HIV acquired infection from NHS treatment in Scotland)
  • Fingerprint Inquiry
  • FV Trident (rehearing of the formal investigation of the sunken fishing vessel Trident)
  • Vale of Leven Inquiry (C. difficile infection)
  • Various Fatal Accident Inquiries including: the Glasgow Bin Lorry Crash, the Jim Clark Rally, various Prison matters, GP and Hospital cases, Care home fire.

Members also regularly appear at tribunal hearings often as advisers or representing interested parties at the hearing. Our members have appeared in many of the UK tribunals including:

  • Criminal Injuries Compensation
  • Employment
  • General Medical Council
  • GTC Fitness to Teach
  • Housing Panels
  • Immigration & Asylum
  • Mental Health
  • NHS and Health Professions Council
  • Nursing and Midwifery Council
  • Scottish Social Services
  • Tax
What the Legal Directories say about Ampersand in Public Inquiries, FA

Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2025

Band 1 Set

Ampersand Advocates continues to be a dominant player in the Scottish inquiries space. The stable offers unparalleled bench strength across seniorities, from rising star juniors to distinguished silks. The advocates have tested their mettle on several of the highest-profile mandates in recent history, including both the UK and Scottish COVID-19 inquiries, the UK Infected Blood Inquiry and the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. Ampersand Advocates’ broader public and administrative law and clinical negligence pedigree ensures that all representations are backed up by market-leading expertise. In addition to public inquiries, members are also instructed as leading counsel on independent investigations and reviews and fatal accident inquiries. An instructing solicitor notes: “The legal advice and service provided is second to none. The lawyers display a variety of skills and expertise spanning across all sectors.” Clients of the stable include the Scottish Government, the Scottish Prison Service, NHS bodies and health boards, police constabularies and bereaved parties.

Strengths

“The clerking at Ampersand Advocates is excellent.”

See full table here.

Legal 500 UK Bar 2025

Tier 1 Set

At Ampersand Advocates, multiple members of the stable have been kept especially busy representing various parties in the high-profile UK and Scottish COVID-19 inquiries, as well as acting for core participants in the Scottish Hospitals inquiry.

Testimonials include:

  • ‘Great range and depth of available counsel with a great clerking team.’
  • ‘Great support from the stable.’

See full table here.