Matthew White - Inquests & Public Enquiries

Matthew has undertaken many substantial inquests (generally 1 to 4 weeks in length), invariably Article 2 inquests concerning public authorities. He has dealt with many death in custody inquests.

Routine shorter inquests include those that tend to precede a civil claim, including workplace accidents, road traffic accidents and death in (or having left) a clinical setting.

Matthew also deals with claims for damages for breaches of the Human Rights Act following death, including victim status, breach of article 2 (and sometimes 3) and the value of claims. He has an interest in costs generally, within which he deals with issues concerning the recovery of costs of inquest proceedings in civil claims.

Matthew spent a year working almost exclusively on the BSE Inquiry early on in his practice. He has an appreciation for the practicalities and politics of public inquiries, and is used to dealing with hearings which attract media attention.