Public inquiries and other investigations are challenging and time-consuming. You need lawyers with experience and knowledge of how the inquiry operates, able to understand the technical evidence, skilled at project management, and alert to reputational issues. The expert team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts, ranked for their public inquiries expertise in the independent legal directories, offers all of that.
We work with our clients to create a team which combines the best skills and expertise of our clients and ourselves. With a large team of experienced personnel, we are able to resource these instructions with whatever numbers are required, at the appropriate grades.
Inquiry expertise that's efficient and cost-effective
Detailed preparation is required, often involving the review of a huge volume of documents. Our IT systems and personnel assist with this, ensuring we deliver an efficient, cost-effective service.
Our solicitors often provide representation at the hearings themselves. Their advocacy skills and knowledge of inquiry proceedings enable us to deliver a first class and seamless service.
We draw on our large litigation team when advice is required on related proceedings, for example civil claims that may arise from the same factual circumstances as a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) or the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
We appreciate inquiries can be challenging for our clients. They are time consuming and create risks to reputation, whether you are a core participant, an interested party or a witness. We ensure that all advice takes account of the relevant reputational and wider policy issues.
Our Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAI) team have handled some of the highest profile and complex inquiries heard in Scotland in recent years. For example, they advised on the Clutha Bar FAI and the Sumburgh helicopter crash FAI.
Our public inquiry team has considerable experience of inquiries heard under the Inquiries Act 2005, advising interested parties and core participants on all aspects of proceedings. We have been involved in various phases of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, including conducting the advocacy when representing one core participant.
We also have a dedicated team which advises on and represents clients on public inquiries which are held into development proposals. Most recently, we have acted for Transport Scotland, representing Ministers at public local inquiries which have been held into the Scottish Government's £3 billion programme for the dualling of the A9 trunk road between Perth and Inverness.
