Hillsborough Law: Historic move to stop state coverups and bring justice to families

The first reading of the Hillsborough Bill – formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill – took place in Parliament yesterday, marking an historic step towards preventing state cover ups and ensuring families can access legal representation at inquests.

The Bill introduces a statutory duty of candour for public authorities, a new criminal offence of misleading the public, and guaranteed non-means-tested legal aid for bereaved families at inquests.

The legislation is the result of years of tireless campaigning by the Hillsborough families, Hillsborough Law Now, Inquest and many other campaigns representing the victims of other disasters.

The Bill has been supported by lawyers who represented bereaved families in their pursuit of justice. Among them are Pete Weatherby KC of Garden Court North and Elkan Abrahamson at Broudie Jackson Canter, who played a key role in shaping the Bill, supported by Marcia Willis-Stewart of Birnberg Peirce and Patrick Roche of Garden Court Chambers.

The families and campaigners have welcomed the Government’s commitment, while emphasising the importance of safeguarding and strengthening the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.

Garden Court Chambers pays tribute to the Hillsborough families, campaigners, and the wider legal teams for their dedication in challenging the culture of institutional defensiveness and denial that has too often led to cover ups and denied or delayed accountability for those who were responsible for disasters.

See media coverage: BBC News, The Guardian, Sky News