News & Events
News & Events
The report into Module 1 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on the preparedness and resilience of the United Kingdom for a Coronavirus pandemic, in which Joshua Cainer was instructed as Junior Counsel to the Inquiry, was published last week. Chaired by Baroness Hallett, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is a statutory public inquiry set up under the Inquiries Act 2005 to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and learn lessons for the future. The report for Module 1 was published on 18 July 2024. The full report is published here and the ‘In Brief’ summary of the report can be found here. Baroness Hallett gave a live statement accompanying the publication of the report which can…
Joshua Cainer is instructed as Junior Counsel to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry set up to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and learn lessons for the future. UK Covid-19 Inquiry Chaired by Baroness Hallett, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is a statutory public inquiry set up under the Inquiries Act 2005 to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and learn lessons for the future, across wide-ranging Terms of Reference. Joshua Cainer is instructed as Junior Counsel to the Inquiry for Module 1 as part of a counsel team led by Hugo Keith KC (Lead Counsel to the Inquiry) and Kate Blackwell KC. Module 1 of the Inquiry Module 1 of the…
Covid-19 15 Jun, 2023
Olinga Tahzib, of Outer Temple Chambers, has recently been instructed to join a team of counsel to represent the interests of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the UK COVID-19 Inquiry. The Inquiry has been set up to examine the UK’s response to and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to learn lessons for the future. The Inquiry’s work is guided by its Terms of Reference. Olinga’s work for the DHSC is focussed on Module 3, which examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare. It will look into the governmental and societal response to COVID-19 as well as examining the impact that the pandemic had on healthcare systems, patients and healthcare workers. This will…
Covid-19 5 Jun, 2023
OTC’s Robert Dickason is instructed for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Following the official launch by Baroness Hallett of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on 21st July 2022, and the commencement of Module 1 focusing on the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic, the process of evidence gathering is already underway. OTC’s Robert Dickason, one of the Attorney-General’s B Panel counsel, is instructed for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (formerly the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government). Robert’s instruction reinforces OTC’s involvement in the Inquiry from its outset. See also our recent announcement of Paul Livingston and Joshua Cainer joining the Inquiry’s legal team here. The next 12 months sees…
Covid-19 1 Aug, 2022
The UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry has now officially opened, headed by Baroness Heather Hallett who has appointed 50 junior Counsel to the legal team including OTC’s Paul Livingston and Joshua Cainer. Baroness Hallett launched the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on 21st July 2022 and opened its first investigation into the preparedness of the UK for a pandemic. Baroness Hallett also set out the timetable for the first 12 months of the Inquiry saying, “It’s time for facts, not opinions – and I will be resolute in my quest for the truth. The Inquiry is already gathering evidence and I will be holding public hearings next year.” The next 12 months sees Module 1 looking into the UK’s preparedness for a pandemic.…
Covid-19 29 Jul, 2022
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began in early 2020, many companies have been faced with disruption to their everyday commercial activities. As a result, litigation concerning the use of force majeure clauses has been on the rise. David E Grant and Anson Cheung consider force majeure in their article on Dwyer v Fredbar. An example of litigation concerning force majeure is Fibula Air Travel SRL v Just-US Air SRL [2020] EWHC 3048; the charterer contended that a lease for the charter of an aircraft had been terminated by force majeure. Another, more recent, example is Dwyer (UK Franchising) Limited v Fredbar Limited [2021] EWHC 1218 (Ch). The claimant entered into a franchise agreement with the first defendant, Fredbar, as franchisee and the second defendant, Mr.…
Covid-19 23 Jun, 2021
Following the PM’s announcement on Wednesday, we revisit an article by Harriet Jerram explaining what a public inquiry would look like. This article was written in the height of the pandemic in July 2020. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister told MPs an independent public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic would be held in spring 2022. Harriet Jerram’s article was written during the height of the pandemic and considered what a public inquiry into the Covid 19 response might look like. The content is very much relevant right now and so is worth sharing again. It considers why and when public inquiries are appropriate and the function they serve as well as what issues a Covid 19 inquiry would likely…
Covid-19 14 May, 2021
Remote Working Arrangements Updated 4 November 2020 In line with the recent government update on further lockdown measures, Outer Temple Chambers will operate predominantly on a remote basis. All client meetings are being conducted virtually and our practice management team are able to arrange conferences via video link or audio call, in line with client requirements. A small cohort of staff and members who cannot work from home remain on site at our 222 Strand premises whilst observing strict Covid-19 secure protocols established and overseen by our Property & IT Manager, Rachael Bagnall. Read our full Covid-19 Risk Assessment here. We are using paperless systems where possible to share documentation. We are keeping a close eye on developments and guidance in…
Covid-19 1 Oct, 2020
A Level, GCSE and other exam results are currently being published but what effect has the pandemic had on results? Alex Line considers what is known about the recent policy decisions affecting students this summer, and analyses their potential impact from a legal perspective. A Level results were published today, with GCSE results due to be published soon after on 20th August 2020. As has been widely reported, significant changes to the examination process have been implemented at short notice due to the impact of Coronavirus. Alex Line considers what is known about the recent policy decisions affecting students this summer, and analyses their potential impact from a legal perspective. Article The article can be read here. About the Author Alex…
Covid-19 13 Aug, 2020
Carin Hunt considers limitation issues resulting from the COVID-19 lockdown in her article for Lexis PSL. In the Lexis PSL article, ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19)—limitation provisions during lockdown for PI and clinical negligence matters’, Carin Hunt considers the consequences of Covid-19 for the limitation of personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Carin looks at delays to the conduct of litigation caused by the pandemic, and considers the use of standstill agreements and the operation of section 33 of the Limitation Act 1980 to keep claims in time. Article If you have subscription to Lexis, you may read the article here. About the Author Carin Hunt joined Chambers in September 2019, following her pupillage and she is developing a busy practice in the…
Covid-19 12 Aug, 2020
Harriet Jerram considers what a public inquiry into the Covid 19 response might look like and whether it would meet the need for a rapid and focussed response to mitigate any future public health disaster. With the UK still in the grips of the Covid 19 pandemic, calls for a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the response to the crisis have been widespread. On 15 July 2020 the Prime Minister committed to holding an “independent inquiry” but would not be drawn on details as to when and in what form this would take place. Harriet’s article considers what a public inquiry into the Covid 19 response might look like. It considers why and when public inquiries are appropriate…
Covid-19 30 Jul, 2020
Counsel Magazine asked Outer Temple’s CEO, Rebecca Priestley, how she has managed to steer Chambers successfully through lockdown. Rebecca shares her six key lessons learnt… “You can’t control extreme events; you can control how you react.” Rebecca explains how she navigated Outer Temple Chambers through the last few months. In the run-up to full lockdown on 24 March, she had tasked the team with running a full pandemic pilot, shutting down the office and trialling remote working. Key lessons were learnt and a clear business continuity plan formed. Having worked in a bank during the financial crash, Rebecca had some experience of operating during extreme events. Key lessons from Covid-19 for a new way of working Read the full article…
Covid-19 22 Jun, 2020
