The Duncan Lewis Grenfell Tower Inquiry Team

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Team

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry is an independent public inquiry, set up to examine the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the fire at Grenfell Tower that claimed the lives of 72 people on 14th June 2017.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors are representing a number of core participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Lawyers within the inquiry team specialise in a range of different areas of law including criminal defence, public law, housing, and personal injury.

Core participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry include survivors of the fire, the bereaved and relatives of the deceased, and individuals directly involved in the events. The core participants will submit evidence in the form of documents or oral testimony to the panel.

A public inquiry is ordered by the Government in order to investigate events that are of serious public concern or where a death has occurred. The Government sets the terms of reference of an inquiry, allowing them to be as broad or specific as required. The main purpose of any inquiry is to determine what happened, how it happened, and how to prevent it from happening again.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the nature of the design and construction of tower blocks in the future, as well as the scope and adequacy of building regulations, fire regulations and other legislation and guidance relating to the overall construction and management of high-rise residential buildings.

The inquiry is investigating a number of issues that have been separated into two phases. Phase 1 focussed on the factual narrative of the events of 14th June 2017 and Phase 2, which is expected to begin in early 2020, will look into how the conditions that allowed for such a tragedy to occur came to be at Grenfell Tower.

Our solicitors advised core participants throughout Phase 1 of the inquiry which saw over six months’ worth of evidence from core participants and witnesses.

Phase 1 focussed specifically on how the fire started and more pertinently how it spread as quickly as it did throughout the Tower. Our team took instructions from survivors and other core participants to establish what happened on the night of the incident and what they had to go through both during the tragedy and the following aftermath. The team also dealt with the emotional and psychological impact that such a tragedy has on survivors and bereaved alike.

Phase 1 concluded in December 2018 and our team are now concentrating on reviewing and reporting on thousands of documents for our clients as well as beginning preparations for Phase 2.

Phase 2 hearings are due to commence in January 2020 and it is anticipated that the oral hearing will last for many months. Phase 2 will focus on how the building came to be in the state it was in by 14th June 2017.

Duncan Lewis Public Inquiry Team

Taking part in a public inquiry can be a stressful experience for those involved and often places them at the focus of intense media scrutiny. We understand that taking part in a public inquiry can be an emotional and often intense experience, we are also aware that participating in a public inquiry could have professional, commercial or financial implications on the reputation of the participant, as such, the team ensures that all personal interests are protected from the outset and throughout the process.

Core participants and witnesses are asked to provide their evidence at the inquiry and should seek the services of an expert legal professional. The Duncan Lewis Public Inquiry team has experience in expertly assisting those taking part in public inquiries, and has the knowledge and expertise required to handle sensitive issues that may arise during the inquiry.

The specialist team works closely with clients to gain a thorough understanding and insight into their individual situations. The breadth of our team’s experience allows them to assist clients in extensively preparing evidence for a hearing and ensure that each participant is comfortable and confident in the information they give.

For further information relating to the Duncan Lewis Public Inquiry team please contact a member of the team on 033 3772 0409.