This hybrid seminar was brought to you by the Garden Court Chambers Civil Liberties Team.
| Date: | Tuesday 11 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 6.00pm-7.30pm (followed by networking drinks) |
| Venue: | Garden Court Chambers, 9 Carmelite Street, London, EC4Y 0DR |
| Cost: | Free |
| Areas of Law: | Civil Liberties and Human Rights, Protest Rights |
The Government’s announcement of a Public Inquiry into the events at Orgreave in 1984 and its aftermath has been described as both historic and momentous.
In this seminar, speakers explored the events that took place at Orgreave, examined the enduring impact on those involved, and reflected on the campaign for justice that has spanned over four decades. Drawing on the lived experiences of campaigners and legal perspectives, the discussion considered what a meaningful and effective public inquiry should entail, and how it can best serve the interests of truth, justice and public confidence.
Speakers
Thalia Maragh, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Thalia’s practice at the English Bar has been predominantly defending in serious crimes and acting for bereaved families in Article 2 inquests. She has a growing international practice. Thalia acts for bereaved families in Article 2 inquests and is a leading junior in Inquests and Public Inquiries. She is currently instructed on behalf of Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK (CBFFJ UK) in the Covid-19 Public Inquiry over several modules. She represented the families in the Hillsborough Inquests, the bereaved, survivors and residents in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (in phases 1 and 2), a person of interest in the Public Inquiry into the Manchester Arena Bombings and survivors of sexual abuse in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
Pete Weatherby KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers North
Pete is based in Manchester and was a student at the time of the strike. Through the Student Union Pete and others organised transport to picket lines and food deliveries to remote mining communities who had very limited resources. Pete has led teams representing families and survivors at many controversial inquests and inquiries including Hillsborough, Grenfell, Covid, UCPI, Manchester Arena, Grainger, and Southport. He was on the Panel of the UEFA 2022 Champions League Final International Review, and has led the team ‘assisting’ the Government in enacting ‘Hillsborough Law’. The forthcoming Orgreave Inquiry may well be an early test of the new provisions, and if used properly will significantly aid the search for truth and justice.
Marguerite Russell, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Marguerite Russell has a wide-ranging criminal practice and is regularly instructed to lead in complex criminal cases. She has built up considerable expertise in all current areas of expert evidence such as DNA, cell-site, firearms, computer systems, handwriting, psychiatric evaluations, drug trace evidence. She has acted as Leading Junior in a significant number of high profile trials. The range of her defence work includes murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, wounding with intent, riot, and serious frauds, including multi million pound internet and carousel frauds and bribery and offences under the Modern Slavery Act, as well as major drug cases of importation and supply.
Paul Heron, Solicitor, Public Interest Law Centre
Paul is a solicitor and the founder of the Public Interest Law Centre. His main practice areas are public law and public inquiries. He currently represents several core participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, including a former Labour MP, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), and the Stop the War Coalition. He also represented the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) and United Voices of the World (UVW), trade unions organising cleaners, porters, and carers in the NHS, in the Covid-19 Public Inquiry. As a teenager, Paul was active in the Labour Party Young Socialists and supported the miners during the 1984–85 strike, frequently visiting Bold Colliery on Merseyside in solidarity.
Kate Flannery, Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
Kate Flannery is Secretary of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign. Kate’s work has included many years experience of policy and practice in local government, the voluntary sector and Trade Union movement, initiating and organising many political, historical, arts and public awareness campaigns and events. Kate was an active Trade Unionist and member of Women Against Pit Closures throughout the 84/5 miners’ strike.
Chris Peace, Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
Chris Peace has worked as a teacher, a trade union organiser and an elected Councillor. She currently works as a criminal defence solicitor and has over 20 years experience in this role. Brought up in a rural mining community, Chris is an activist who plays a key and essential role in the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, ensuring the campaign maintains its effective strategy and national profile.
