INQUEST facilitated a listening day in central London, on 3rd February 2025, bringing together 23 family members and victims with direct experience of inquests and inquiries into deaths and harm caused by public or corporate bodies.
This event, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice, provided a platform for those affected by tragedies such as the Hillsborough stadium disaster and the Grenfell Tower fire to share their experiences and insights on the governments proposed version of Hillsborough Law.
Hillsborough Law is proposed legislation aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and truth in public service by introducing a legal duty of candour for public authorities and officials to tell the truth. Broudie Jackson Canter has been a key advocate in the campaign, championing the bill and working tirelessly to support the families affected by tragedies such as the Hillsborough disaster.
A Gathering of Courage and Resilience
The Family Listening Day was a poignant reminder of the courage and resilience of those who have faced some of the worst failings of our public services and legal system.
Attendees spoke of institutional indifference, hostility, and the vilification of families and their communities. The injustices faced by the Hillsborough families and survivors—lying, victim-blaming, delays, and denials—are still prevalent in the inquest and public inquiry processes today. Families believe that this defensive culture obstructs the truth and undermines accountability and transparency, which are fundamental to the rule of law.
Shared Experiences and Common Goals
Even though the circumstances varied, attendees shared similar experiences and a common goal: to balance the power between state agents and the families affected.
They discussed obstructive and opaque investigations, blatant cover-ups, and the lack of timely disclosure of crucial evidence. Families often had to self-fund their legal representation while facing numerous publicly funded lawyers representing state bodies. This imbalance of power and resources further exacerbated their grief and trauma.
This shared experience allowed for attendees to create a comprehensive series of recommendations, these included:
- Thorough enforcement of the duty of candour
Full and timely disclosure of evidence to families during investigations
Sanctions and penalties for those who knowingly obstruct justice
Legal representation and funding for families to create a level playing field
Ensure the private sector and corporate bodies are subject to the same duties as public bodies
Protection for whistleblowers to encourage them to come forward without fear of retribution
Establish a National Oversight Mechanism to monitor the implementation of recommendations made following investigations, inquests and inquiries.
Broudie Jackson Canter's Role in Advocating for Justice
Broudie Jackson Canter has been at the forefront of the Hillsborough Law Now campaign, advocating for the introduction of a legal Duty of Candour on public authorities and officials. Elkan Abrahamson, Legal Director in our Major Inquests & Inquiries team, has been instrumental in not only fighting for the campaign but also in co-authoring the bill put forward to the Government.
This proposed law, also known as the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, aims to ensure transparency and honesty in public service, preventing future injustices. We represented 22 families during the second Hillsborough Inquests, which concluded with a historic verdict of unlawful killing.
Our teams meticulous legal work and unwavering dedication helped uncover vital evidence and secure justice for the 97 men, women, and children who tragically lost their lives in the 1989 disaster.
Through Hillsborough Law, we’re fighting for meaningful positive change. It took over 27 years for the families of the Hillsborough disaster to receive an unlawful killing verdict. That’s 27 years of pain, suffering, and silence from the authorities. The journey towards justice has been strenuous, but the resilience of the Hillsborough families has paved the way for essential legal reforms.
A Call for Change
The Family Listening Day highlighted the pressing need for the Hillsborough Law to be implemented in its entirety, without dilution or caveat.
Families believe that this law is a valuable opportunity to bring about legal, cultural, and policy change, redress the power of the state, and fulfil the legacy project that Hillsborough families and survivors have fought for.
The evidence presented during the event is too compelling and stark to ignore. A failure to heed this evidence would be an absolute failure on the part of the government and an insult to all those who continue to suffer injustice at the hands of the state.
Looking To the Future
The Hillsborough Law Family Listening Day was a powerful demonstration of the collective voice demanding change.
Broudie Jackson Canter's involvement in advocating for this vital bill embodies our commitment to justice, truth, and accountability. As we look back, so that we can move forward, it is crucial that the government listens to these voices and ensures that the Hillsborough Law is enacted in full, to prevent future tragedies and protect bereaved families.
Read the full INQUEST “All or Nothing” report here. You can find out more about our involvement in the Hillsborough Law Campaign here.