Inquests & Public Inquiries
Juliet is currently instructed as Junior Counsel to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
She is also regularly instructed to represent families, healthcare providers and other interested parties at inquests and associated hearings. She acts both in ‘Article 2’ jury inquests, and those heard by coroner alone. She has particular expertise acting for parties in inquests where significant criticism of a healthcare practitioner or provider is expected, whether paramedic, primary care practitioner, hospital staff, Trust, care home or private hospital. Juliet’s inquest practice complements her clinical negligence practice, and she accepts instructions to represent families at inquests on a CFA basis, with a view to civil proceedings.
Selected Cases
- Represented an NHS Trust at an inquest concerning the death of a woman who died of a brain haemorrhage after the administration of an anti-blood clotting drug.
- Represented a commercial entity at an inquest concerning the suicide of a woman who died after creating a ligature from ‘anti-ligature’ clothing.
- Represented an NHS Trust at two linked inquests concerning the provision of care of Covid patients at the Nightingale Hospital, London. The inquest generated significant national press coverage:
- Represented a national care home provider at an inquest concerning the suicide of a resident days after he was admitted.
- Represented the family of a baby who died during labour over a three day inquest in which, amongst other matters, the coroner’s jurisdiction was in dispute. At the conclusion of the inquest, the Senior Coroner indicated her intention to make Reports for the Prevention of Future Deaths against relevant NHS Trust and against the clinician who commenced the delivery of the child. In addition, the Senior Coroner’s concerns were such that she indicated that she would be referring the clinician to the General Medical Council. The inquest generated significant local press coverage:
- Represented an NHS Trust at an inquest concerning the death of a patient subsequent to an anaesthetic drug error. The matter of neglect was in issue.
- Acted on behalf of an NHS Trust in relation to a multiday inquest which concerned the death of a child who had presented to the Trust with an undiagnosed serious underlying health condition.
- Represented a properly interested third party to a fatal road traffic collision, where attending healthcare professionals had performed perimortem surgery on the deceased at the scene of the accident.
Awards
- Queen Mother’s Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2015
- Prize winner, Marion Simmons QC Essay Competition, Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers, 2015
- Astbury Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2014
- Highest ranked novice debating pair (team and individual speaker scores) at the Inner Temple IV Moot, 2014
- Excellence in Leadership Award, London Medical Deanery, 2011
- Proxime accessit, Final Medical Examinations, University of Oxford, 2010
- Undergraduate Academic Scholarship, Hertford College, University of Oxford, 2005-07
News
- 25 for 25: The Pro Bono Challenge
- Juliet Stevens represents family at a three-day inquest: Regulation 28 Reports made and doctor referred to GMC
Articles
- The cost of commercial surrogacy abroad is a recoverable head of loss: Whittington Hospital NHS Trust v XX [2020] UKSC 14
- Appealing findings made by the TCC: guidance from the Court of Appeal
Qualifications
- BPTC, City University (2016)
- GDL (Distinction), City University (2015)
- Part 1 Membership Examination, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2011)
- Medicine BM BCh (Distinction), University of Oxford (2010)
- Medical Sciences MA (First Class), University of Oxford (2007)
Memberships
- PNBA
- PIBA
- LCLCBA
Recommendations
‘Juliet is excellent at navigating complex medical and legal issues. She is insightful and thorough and provides clear, no-nonsense advice to her clients.’
Leading Junior, Legal 500, 2023
‘Attention to detail, excellent understanding of technical legal issues and all round great advocate.’
Rising Star, Legal 500, 2023
“She has a good grasp of scientific and statistical concepts. She gets on well with clients and witnesses.”
Rising Star, Legal 500, 2022
“An up-and-coming junior in the product liability field.”
Rising Star, Legal 500, 2021
