Inquests & Public Inquiries
Adam is an inquest specialist with significant experience across multiple areas and in high profile cases. His cases often involve issues of health and safety and employer responsibilities, mental and physical health provision, social care, suicide, sporting events, public law, road traffic accidents, and product liability. He has acted as sole counsel in a number of multi-day jury inquests and article 2 inquests. Adam’s clients include national utilities companies, local councils, care homes, charities, construction/building companies, families and the emergency services. He is able to offer complimentary expertise in civil or criminal regulatory proceedings arising out of the inquest.
Selected Cases
- Adam was sole counsel for a company that organised white collar boxing training and events nationally, in relation to an eight-day inquest into the death of a participant in the ring from traumatic brain injury. The inquest considered multiple issues relating to organisation, training, matching of participants, equipment, venue safety, emergency medical provision, and the fight itself. The case received extensive national press coverage:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjee4ryj08do
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/coroner-calls-white-collar-boxing-29218148
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/27928985/boxer-died-white-collar-event-charity-match/
- Adam was sole counsel for a charitable Approved Premises (i.e. probation hostel), in relation to a four-day jury inquest following the death of a resident who had been recently released to the Approved Premises from prison. The inquest considered issues of the interaction between prison services, probation services and the Approved Premises, relevant curfews and Covid-19 requirements, the mental health of the individual, stockpiling of medication, and supervision and emergency response.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/convicted-robber-found-dead-newcastle-29213164
- Adam was sole counsel in a three-week Article 2 inquest into the death of a consultant doctor who was attacked by his son, following his son’s escape from detention in hospital on mental health grounds. Adam acted for the local council and its Approved Mental Health Professionals. The inquest addressed the issue of the son’s mental health care and treatment over a number of years as well as multiple Mental Health Act assessments carried out by different AMHPs. From the four barristers instructed by the four IPs, Adam was the only one instructed who was not a silk. The case received extensive national press coverage:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67616516
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn3dxzlexzzo
- Adam was sole counsel in a two-day multi-party inquest into the death of an elderly individual who suffered a fall at home following his release from hospital. Adam acted for the local council. Issues arose as to the interaction between the hospital trust, the council, and the private care provider as to the release and care plan for the deceased.
- Adam is currently instructed in relation to a six-day inquest into the suicide of a young woman in supported living.
- Adam was sole counsel for a care home company in relation to an inquest into the death by aspiration of food of an autistic resident of a care home.
- Adam was sole counsel for a care home in relation to the seizure-related death of a resident with epilepsy.
- Instructed as sole counsel on a four-day jury inquest concerning the death of a Yorkshire Water employee in an oxygenated dry well at a treatment plant, who died when an angle grinder set his clothes on fire. Adam was instructed on behalf of Yorkshire Water.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-40952378
- Instructed as sole counsel on a four-day jury inquest concerning a work at height incident involving ladder use in a leisure centre. There were five interested parties participating in the inquest.
- Adam was junior counsel in relation to an inquest concerning the death of a young child in a domestic elevator.
- Representing the family in an inquest involving the suicide of a patient discharged by mental health clinicians. The issues included whether Article 2 applied, neglect, the mental health assessment and the handover to the home treatment team.
- Representing the family in an inquest into the death of a conspiracy theorist abroad in Poland.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-46810312
- Representing a care home in an inquest involving the death of a dementia patient.
- Representing an insurer in an inquest involving a fatal RTA where the allegation of jumping a red light meant that traffic light sequencing was in issue.
Events
News
Qualifications
- Hardwicke, Droop and Shelford Scholarships, Lincoln’s Inn
- Margaret Branthwaite CPE Prize
- BPTC, University of Law, Birmingham
- GDL, University of Birmingham
- BA Hons (First Class), Worcester College, University of Oxford
Memberships
- Lincoln’s Inn
- Ordre des Avocats Vaudois (Vaudois Bar Association, invited member)
- Federation Suisse des Avocats (Swiss Bar Association)
- Association Suisse de Droit du Sport (Swiss Sports Law Association)
Rankings
Recommendations
“Adam’s technical mastery of the anti-doping rules allied with his incisive cross-examination and persuasive advocacy are a truly potent combination. he has a remarkable track record of success. He is also very accessible and extremely hard-working.”
Legal 500, 2025
