Investigations & Inquiries

Investigations

The heightened focus on propriety, good corporate governance and value for money, means increasingly bodies in positions of responsibility, be they public authorities, private companies or charities are turning to the commissioning of investigations. Sometimes these are internally conducted and sometimes at an arm’s length via an independent person or organisation. Increasingly, entities are facing investigations by regulators.

The importance of accountability and the drive for transparency increasingly means that organisations need not only to investigate matters of concern and take appropriate remedial action, but also consider publication (whether in full or summary form) of the findings of the investigation. Regulators will almost invariably publish the outcome of their actions, meaning that a strength in reputation management is key to our offering.

At Bevan Brittan we have brought together our shared expertise in investigations in the following areas, to create an Investigations team in which best practice is fully understood by all our people. We share knowledge between ourselves as to how to conduct or respond to investigations so that they are fair, efficient and outcome focussed.  We have a particular strength in multi-disciplinary investigations, often covering multiple regulators.

Our experience spans:

• Public and regulatory
• Reputation management
• Healthcare
• Employment
• Health & Safety
• Data protection
• Safeguarding
• Conduct
• Procurement
• Contractual arrangements

We can provide investigations services across the range of legal needs, including the provision of independent persons to head up the investigations, the secretariat for that person or representation and advice for those caught up in investigations. 

The latest Investigations news and articles can be found at Bevan Brittan's Insight Information Hub

Inquiries

Bevan Brittan’s expert team has some of the widest ranging experience in inquiries in the UK and stands ready to assist with your needs, whether as a Core Participant, an evidence provider or an entity needing no more than a watching brief. We can provide assistance with representation at hearings, the provision of evidence, documents and issues around confidentiality and data protection. Importantly and given our deep understanding of corporate governance and reputation management, we can assist in dealing with any criticisms that might arise.

The Inquiries offering at Bevan Brittan is led by partner, Melanie Carter. She has worked for many years on a range of Inquiries, both statutory and non-statutory, including currently the Covid Inquiry and previously the Infected Blood Inquiry, the Grenfell Inquiry, the Independent Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry, the Ockendon Inquiry, the Brook House and the Dyson Inquiries. She is a Band 1 public & administrative lawyer in the legal directories so has an in-depth understanding of the public law issues which underpin the Covid inquiry. She understands the decision making process which sits at the core of the Inquiry, having been appointed personally to act as an independent investigator and has for many years been an independent adjudicator and Tribunal Judge. 

The wider team has extensive experience and is currently working on the Fuller Inquiry and the Infected Blood Inquiry and previously and most recently, the Grenfell and Mid-Staffordshire Inquires.