What is the purpose of a public inquiry?
A public inquiry is set up to look at a matter of public concern and is fully independent of Government. Unlike proceedings in court, an inquiry is not adversarial. It is an inquisitorial process. The ambit of a public inquiry is set out in its terms of reference. Though inquiries cannot determine criminal or civil liability, they can highlight where failings have occurred.
What is the format of the Inquiry?
The Southport Inquiry has been established under the Inquiries Act 2005. Other inquiries established under the 2005 Act include Grenfell, the Manchester Arena and Thirlwall Public Inquiries in England, the E Coli Inquiry in Wales and the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry in Scotland.
Such inquiries are essentially inquisitorial in nature and, subject to the legislative provisions, their procedure and conduct are matters for the Chair to decide. As such, no two inquiries are the same. The Inquiry is charged with carrying out an investigation within its terms of reference.
What powers does the Inquiry have?
Under the Inquiries Act 2005 the Chair has a wide range of powers, including the power to compel the production of documents and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath. The Chair can call any relevant person, or organisation, to give evidence to the Inquiry.
Who is the chair and what is their responsibility?
The Inquiry is chaired by Sir Adrian Fulford, a retired Lord Justice of Appeal. On 7 April 2025 the Home Secretary announced Sir Adrian’s appointment to the Inquiry.
As Chair, Sir Adrian will decide the procedural rules and protocols and have ultimate responsibility for the conduct of the inquiry, the publication of the final report and any recommendations. Sir Adrian is supported by a team of legal and secretariat staff. You can read about Sir Adrian and his team on the About Us page.
What is a core participant?
Where an individual, group or organisation has a significant interest in the Inquiry, the Chair may designate them as a core participant. The process and criteria for core participant designation are set out in the Protocol for applications for core participant status.
Those designated as core participants may participate in the Inquiry in a number of ways:
- Receiving in advance of hearings disclosure of evidence which the Chair considers relevant to that core participant;
- Making an opening and closing statement at certain hearings;
- Suggesting lines of questioning to be pursued by Counsel to the Inquiry; and
- Their recognised legal representative may apply to the Chair to ask questions of a witness
How do I apply for core participant status?
The process is set out in the Protocol for applications for core participant status.
If you still wish to apply then please contact: solicitor@southport.public-inquiry.uk
Who are the core participants in this Inquiry?
A list of those designated core participants in the Inquiry will be updated and published on our website.
What happens when an individual or organisation is designated as a core participant?
The Inquiry will write to applicants or their legal representative confirming if they have been designated as a core participant. The Inquiry will liaise with CPs through legal representatives, or direct where representation is not in place, with details of how they can participate.
What happens when an individual or organisation is not designated as a core participant – are they still able to participate in the Inquiry?
Not being awarded core participant status does not preclude an individual or organisation from participating in the Inquiry as a witness or attending hearings in person as a member of the public.
Who are witnesses?
A witness is someone who has evidence relating to the matters being investigated by the Inquiry. This could be as a witness to an event or through the records they hold (e.g. documents or data). Every witness will have provided the Inquiry with a written statement, and some will also give oral evidence at hearings. An individual or organisation can be both a core participant and a witness.
What are warning letters?
In accordance with Rules 13 to 15 of the Inquiry Rules 2006, the Chair must send a letter to anyone who may be subject to significant or explicit criticism in an Inquiry report. This must be done in advance of the Inquiry’s report being published and allow a reasonable opportunity to respond. These letters are known as ‘warning letters’. Each letter must detail the proposed significant or explicit criticisms, the facts and evidence said to support them.
Will records of hearings be available for the public?
On each day of hearings, the transcript and evidence considered will be published on the Inquiry’s website unless any contrary order or restriction notice made under section 19 of the Inquiries Act 2005 is in place. Directions, submissions and rulings will also be made available as appropriate.
How much will the Inquiry cost and who is paying?
The inquiry is funded through the Home Office. The Inquiry will publish its financial reports on this website.
How can members of the public follow the Inquiry?
In line with our duty to transparency, the Inquiry hearings will ordinarily be open to the public to attend where individuals can watch proceedings from the spaces dedicated to members of the public. To apply to attend a hearing please see our Attending as a Visitor information page.
There may be times when hearings will be held in private, for reasons of confidentiality, for example. Subject to any restriction orders, hearings will be broadcast and available to watch from this website. Transcripts will also be published following each hearing.
What is the difference between preliminary hearings and public hearings?
A preliminary hearing is a procedural hearing heard in public at which decisions about the procedure for the conduct of public hearings will be made. At public hearings, the Inquiry will formally hear evidence including from witnesses under oath.
All hearings will be open to the public and media unless a restriction order, made under section 19 of the Inquiries Act 2005, is in place.
Is there support available for affected persons?
The Inquiry is working to ensure continuity of emotional support for the families involved in the Inquiry. Further information about the Inquiry’s support offer for witnesses and core participants will be provided as soon as possible.
Does the Inquiry have a Freedom of Information policy?
The Inquiry is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act but will endeavour to conduct proceedings in an open and transparent manner. As part of this, as much information as possible will be provided on this website.