Grace Forbes

Inquests & Public Inquiries

Inquests:

Grace is regularly instructed to represent individuals who have been named as Properly Interested Persons (PIPs) at inquests. She has particular experience in representing medical professionals, including those at risk of criticism.

Grace also has experience in acting as Counsel to the Inquest.

Grace is able to draw on her substantial experience in criminal law and professional discipline to recognise when an inquest may have implications in either of those fields, and to advise her clients accordingly.

Notable Cases:

Inquest into the death of C (Counsel to the Inquest) (2023)

Grace has been instructed by one of His Majesty’s Senior Coroners to act Counsel to the Inquest. The inquest concerns the sudden death of a 17-year-old boy. The inquest has begun and is ongoing. It is expected to have spanned more than 6 weeks by its conclusion. During the inquest Grace has led the questioning of a very large number of witnesses, including medical experts across multiple fields.

Inquest into the death of E, a Child, (representing a Company) (2023)

Grace is instructed to represent a business in a complex inquest into the death of a 4-year-old boy who suffered from cerebral palsy who is believed to have died after becoming entrapped in a cot bed. The inquest is ongoing.

Inquest into the death of S (representing a Prison) (2023)

Grace is instructed to represent a prison in respect of an inquest into the death of a prisoner. The inquest will examine issues including the measures put in place to minimize the spread of COVID 19 within the prison.

Inquest into the death of S (representing Dr. M) (2023)

Grace was instructed to represent a doctor in respect of the inquest into the death of a prisoner who had committed suicide whilst on remand. Grace was required to navigate difficult issues in respect of the roles and responsibilities within the prison. She drafted detailed written submissions on the law that were accepted by the Coroner.

Inquest into the death of R (representing a Medical Practice and Dr. K) (2022)

Grace was instructed to represent a medical practice and an individual GP in respect of an inquest into the death of a young woman who died from a pulmonary embolism. The inquest lasted 2.5 weeks and involved complex and hard-fought legal argument.

Inquest into the death of T (representing Dr. C) (2022)

Grace was instructed to represent a senior GP in respect of an inquest into the death of a young woman who suffered from a complex array of mental and physical disorders.

Inquest into the Death of P, (representing Dr. A, Dr. M and Dr. L) (2020)

Grace was instructed to represent three doctors at an inquest that lasted a week and attracted substantial media attention. The case involved questioning multiple expert witnesses.

Inquest into the Death of the death of Baby U, (representing Dr. M) (2019)

Grace was instructed to represent a surgeon in an inquest involving the death of a newborn baby. The case involved a potential conflict between Grace’s client and the Trust who had employed them, which required careful handling throughout the hearing.

Inquiries and Investigations:

Grace also has experience in public inquiries and investigations.

Grace was one of four barristers instructed in the Independent Review into the Boohoo Group’s Leicester supply chain, an inquiry that attracted widespread media interest. She made important contributions to the lengthy report published at the end of the review.

Grace is currently instructed in the UK COVID-19 inquiry.

Grace was instructed across multiple strands of IICSA, including in relation to the Child Migration Programme, Rochdale, the Anglican Church and Bishop Peter Ball.

Grace contributed to research into how the criminal justice system handles cases of child sex abuse and was selected by the Inquiry to speak on this issue in a live-streamed seminar. She was also instructed by the Inquiry to assist with complex disclosure exercises involving large volumes of highly sensitive material.

Grace was also instructed for the defence on behalf of a highly successful businessman facing a Serious Fraud Office investigation. The case involved a complex disclosure review involving a large volume of evidence.

Grace also assisted with a sensitive disclosure exercise on behalf of a professional football club in anticipation of a high profile FIFA investigation.