Core Participants and witnesses submitting evidence can engage with the Inquiry directly, with the help of legal representation or with the assistance of the Inquiry team.
The following legal representatives have been designated as recognised legal representatives for core participants.
| Core participants | Recognised legal representative | Counsel team | Funded through the Inquiry? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Welsh Blood Service, Velindre NHS Trust NHS England |
Blake Morgan | Debra Powell KC | No |
|
Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Scottish Regional Health Boards |
Central Legal Office NHS NSS |
Simon Bowie KC Barney Ross |
No |
|
1094 individuals who have been infected or affected Factor 8 The Fatherless Generation |
Collins Solicitors |
Steven Snowden KC Brian Cummins |
Yes |
|
Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service Belfast Health and Social Care Trust |
Directorate of Legal Services |
Philip Aldworth KC Mark Robinson |
No |
|
Department of Health (Northern Ireland) |
Departmental Solicitor's Office |
Philip Aldworth KC Mark Robinson |
No |
|
20 individuals who have been infected or affected |
Eversheds Sutherland | Katie Gollop KC | Yes |
| Department of Health and Social Care | Government Legal Department |
Eleanor Grey KC Nick Moss KC |
No |
|
UKHCDO |
Hempsons | Andrew Kennedy KC | Yes |
|
311 individuals who have been infected or affected The Hepatitis C Trust |
Leigh Day |
Fiona Scolding KC Hannah Gibbs |
Yes |
| 17 individuals who have been infected or affected | Milners |
Alan Barker |
Yes |
|
4 individuals who have been infected or affected |
Saunders Law |
Karon Monaghan KC Philip Dayle |
Yes |
|
293 individuals who have been infected or affected Haemophilia Scotland Scottish Infected Blood Forum |
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland |
Jamie Dawson KC Heather Arlidge |
Yes |
|
240 individuals who have been infected or affected Haemophilia Northern Ireland Haemophilia Wales The Hepatitis B Positive Trust |
Watkins & Gunn Solicitors |
Lloyd Williams KC Christian Howells |
Yes |
|
NHS Blood and Transplant |
Weightmans |
Charlie Cory Wright KC |
No |
|
Scottish Government |
Brodies LLP | David Johnston KC | No |
Q: I would like to participate in the Inquiry. Is it necessary to be represented by a lawyer?
A: No. You do not need to be represented by a lawyer to participate in the Inquiry. You can follow the work of the Inquiry through our website, newsletters and local meetings.
Q: Why are there different firms representing people infected and affected?
A: You can find a list of legal representatives recognised by the Inquiry above. The Inquiry expects to receive around 2,500 witness statements. The Chair of the Inquiry designated a number of law firms to work with the Inquiry and represent core participants. This means that they are funded for representing their clients, taking witness statements from them, and doing other work linked to the Inquiry. Their clients are not charged for this work.
Q: Why have some people infected and affected chosen to be legally represented?
A: This is a personal choice that each individual has made for different reasons. When the Inquiry was taking evidence (until the end of 2022) legal representatives supported their clients in providing written statements and oral evidence, and as core participants.
Q: Is there any difference between the designated law firms?
A: A number of law firms have been involved for some years in representing people infected and affected in civil litigation and previous inquiries. Over the years they have gathered significant numbers of clients and are representing them in this Inquiry. Some firms represent people in specific parts of the UK.
Q: Which law firms are representing core participants?
A: The law firms that already represent core participants are: