Jack Murphy

Inquests & Public Inquiries

Jack has an established specialist inquest practice, and has been ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. The Legal 500 describes him as “Very experienced, much beyond his years. Very legally and tactically astute… very well prepared. Highly Recommended”; and Chambers and Partners describes him as “a strong choice of barrister for healthcare providers, construction companies, public bodies and families in complex inquests…”.

He regularly acts ashaving undertaken a 3 month full time secondment to Capsticks Solicitors LLPnregularly re sole counsel in complex multi-day jury inquests each year. His expertise encompasses deaths in custody; healthcare; reportable diseases such as legionella; HSE and Police involvement, and cases where prosecution is anticipated; and public law points involving Article 2 ECHR.

He was instructed in one of the first cases involving unlawful killing after the landmark Supreme Court case of Maughan, attracting national media attention; and in relation to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

He was appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel in 2021.

He regularly appears at both Pre-inquest Review and Inquest hearings, both with and without juries. He has been instructed by a range of national and international healthcare providers, as well as by families of the deceased and non-professional interested persons. He has particular expertise in respect of deaths in the health and social care sphere. Much of his work has involved public bodies

Selected highlights include:

JB Inquest (Manchester City Coroner’s Court, February 2021) – Acting for the former operators of the Manchester Metrolink tram system in a sensitive, well-publicised inquest involving the death of a young man following a cardiac arrest, suffered during a contentious physical restraint performed on him by four Metrolink contractors in central Manchester. This was one of the first cases concerned with unlawful killing and the lowered standard of proof following Maughan. Jack’s submissions on the application of Article 2 ECHR and his client’s work policies were accepted by the Senior Coroner, and no adverse findings were made in regards to his client at the conclusion of the inquest. The case attracted national media coverage: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56203332
CF Inquest (Worcestershire Coroner’s Court, September 2020) – A complex one-week inquest concerning the drowning of a severely disabled young woman whilst using an allegedly-defective domestic bath hoist unattended. Jack acted for the contractor responsible for servicing the hoist one month prior to the death. The family alleged that the hoist service had been inadequate. Much of the evidence was concerned with expert opinion. Previous consideration of homicide offences by the police created particular sensitivity. Accepting Jack’s submissions, no criticism of the client was made by the Coroner made at the inquest’s conclusion.
Acting for Surrey County Council in a number of complex jury inquests, including: a case concerned with the suicide of an individual known to their adult social care service, and a case involving the murder of a vulnerable man on probation.
Being led by Keith Morton QC and Adrian Darbishire QC in connection with the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Selected Cases

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Events

Articles

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 – The Road To Life Imprisonment? By Katie Sage and Jack Murphy

News

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Qualifications

Lincoln’s Inn Denning, Bowen & Hardwicke Scholarships
BPTC, City Law School
GDL, City University
BA Hons (Oxon)

Recommendations

“He’s meticulous in his approach and has a lovely manner about him with clients and the courts.”

Chambers & Partners, 2022

“Very experienced, much beyond his years. Very legally and tactically astute, good eye for detail, understands strategy, and is very well prepared. Highly recommend.”

Legal 500, 2022

“He is on top of the detail, he gets the issues and he works extremely hard.”