Free Hybrid Seminar - Lessons Learned? Are Prevention of Future Death Reports Fit for Purpose?

The House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee published its report on 16 September 2024 recommending a new joint Public Inquiries Committee to monitor implementation of recommendations, in order to enhance public trust in the inquiry process. It also recommended sufficient resourcing of the Cabinet Office Inquiries Unit established in 2019.

There is no equivalent for inquests. Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports are a critical but often overlooked part of inquest hearings. They are sent to the authorities involved in the inquest where the Coroner considers that action must be taken to prevent or reduce risk of death in the future. However, authorities need only provide a written response. There is no requirement to make changes or even investigate.

While PFD reports are published, there is no oversight mechanism to evaluate if they are effective. NGOs have been calling for such a mechanism for many years, for both inquiries and inquests.

This seminar will discuss the importance of obtaining PFD reports in inquests, and of monitoring them once made, for the core aim of inquests that bereaved families can try to have some role in – preventing other people dying in the same way as their loved one.

In this Black History Month, and through its theme Reclaiming Narratives, the seminar will also ask if the PFD process is failing people who die in circumstances connected to their race?

Speakers

Allison Munroe KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Allison has extensive experience in large scale Inquests and Public Inquiries, including representing numerous bereaved families in the historic Hillsborough Inquests. She specialises in complex mental health and medical cases involving vulnerable adults, young people and care leavers. Allison frequently represents families whose loved ones have died in psychiatric hospitals, units and local authority care homes, or in the community. Her work on deaths in police custody and prisons often involve issues like restraints, bullying and the use of synthetic drugs within the prison environment. 

Kirsten Heaven, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Kirsten is recognised in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 as a leading junior in Police Actions claimant work, Claims against Public Authorities, Civil Liberties and Human Rights, and Inquests. She specialises in Public and Administrative law, with an emphasis on Civil Liberties and Discrimination. Kirsten has a specific interest in deprivation of liberty and represents vulnerable individuals before the Court of Protection. She is a Fee Paid Judge in the First Tier Tribunal and Assistant Coroner for Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot. 

Paul Clark, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Paul provides representation and advice in public, civil, environmental and international law. His practice includes judicial review, private law, inquests and inquiries, with a focus upon human rights. Paul has a wealth of experience in representing bereaved families in all types of Article 2 and domestic inquests. His practice includes inquests concerning deaths in prison, in police custody and during police pursuits, and in the mental healthcare context. 

Emma Snell, Legal Policy Manager, JUSTICE
Emma leads on JUSTICE’s work on inquests and inquiries. This has included briefing on recent legislation, including the Victim and Prisoners Bill, and submitting evidence to relevant parliamentary committees. She acted as rapporteur for JUSTICE and INQUEST’s Practitioner’s Guide to Achieving Racial Justice at Inquests. Emma also works on a range of criminal justice issues, including remand decision making and tackling racial injustice in the criminal legal system. She is a steering committee member of the Art, Not Evidence Campaign. Emma was previously a Director of Vocalise, a programme that teaching debating to people in prison, and a volunteer for Liberty’s advice line.

Sarah Ricca, Partner, Deighton Pierce Glynn
Sarah is a founding partner at Deighton Pierce Glynn, specialising in police law, civil liberties, and human rights. She has extensive expertise in litigation related to the criminal justice system, representing families affected by public authority failings, victims of police misconduct, and prisoners denied fundamental rights. Highly ranked in Chambers and Partners, Sarah is particularly sought after for cases involving deaths caused by state failings. She also represents victims of crime in cases concerning the right to equal protection under the law. Sarah is a member of the Police Action Lawyers Group, of which she was convenor from 1998 to 2012, and the Inquest Lawyers' Group.

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Please fill in the form below to reserve your in-person or online ticket. In-person tickets are limited to the capacity of the venue. After you have completed the form, we will be back in touch to confirm your in-person place at this event. 

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