Last week, we took a big step closer to getting the Covid Inquiry off the ground as Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of the Covid Inquiry, approved the long-anticipated Costs Scheme. We are pleased to say that the contents of the scheme are very positive, offering core participants non means tested access to representation for the Inquiry.
Though we’re working to ensure that the Covid Inquiry will be thorough and concise, it is a fact of public inquiries that they can be both lengthy, and, as a result, costly. That is why, for public inquiries (the kind of inquiry that the Covid Inquiry will be), the cost for individuals is usually covered by the government.
In the case of the Covid Inquiry, it has been agreed that a person is eligible to be considered for an award if they are:
- A person attending a Public Hearing of the Inquiry to give evidence or to produce any document or other thing; or
- A person who, in the opinion of the Chair, has such particular interest in the proceedings or outcome of the Inquiry as to justify an award.
Simply, this means that anyone who is considered to be a core participant in this Inquiry will have their costs covered for legal representation, in full.
What is 'Non Means Tested?'
The other major outcome and huge positive of the Costs Scheme is that it is non means tested. This means that no matter any core participant’s situation or circumstance, they will have their legal fees paid for. Means tested schemes award funding to core participants depending on their income. As this pandemic has impacted everyone, and everyone deserves a chance to be represented, we have been fighting for non means testing funding, which this costing scheme has outlined.
What happens next?
The Terms of Reference public consultation process will continue until the 7th April, while Elkan Abrahamson joins the bereaved families as they meet with Baroness Hallett to consult on the Terms of Reference. Once the consultation process is complete, it is then for the Chair to feed back her thoughts to the Prime Minister who will make the final decision on the Terms. Shortly thereafter we can expect to find out who exactly will be granted core participant status and can expect the Inquiry to be officially launched by the Government.
We are also making representations on your behalf as to the characteristics of panel members and we are considering how the Inquiry should be managed. Once the Terms of Reference are finalised, we will arrange a webinar for clients to discuss them.
If you’ve lost a loved one to Covid, it isn’t too late to join the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group and be part of this Inquiry. We are fighting for core participation status and striving to ensure that the bereaved families will be at the heart of this Inquiry, where they belong.
Find out more about the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group.
Visit our Covid Inquiry FAQ page