Inquests & Public Inquiries
Simon has experience of representing corporate clients in some of the highest profile public inquiries and inquests involving a wide range of issues. Most particularly, Simon successfully represented Max Fordham, the M&E and building services consultancy involved in the design of the smoke ventilation system at the Grenfell Tower in relation to the Grenfell Tower public enquiry.
He has recently represented the David Lloyd leisure club chain in relation to the drowning of a young boy at one of its Leeds clubs and also Reading Borough Council social services department and officers in relation to the 2-month inquest into the terrorist attack at Forbury Gardens in Reading which left three young men dead. Most recently he successfully represented ITV in relation to the suicide of a former participant on the Jeremy Kyle show which led to its cancellation. Following Simon’s advice and representation over a 5-year investigation and inquest in 2024, ITV and its presenter, Jeremy Kyle, were absolved of any causal contribution for the individual’s suicide in what was a dramatic and unexpected inquest conclusion.
The range of his work in this field includes inquests and inquiries relating to:
- death in custody (Jimmy Mubenga inquest – Simon represented British Airways in relation to a death of a deportee on one of its planes);
- terrorist attacks (Simon represented BP in relation to the 3-month inquest concerning the Al-Qaeda attack on one of its gas refineries in In Amenas, Algeria, in which seven British citizens died);
- drownings (Simon represented David Lloyd leisure in relation to a drowning of a 3-year old child at its Leeds club and another child at its Heston club).
- Retail accidents (Simon represented Arcadia/Top Shop in relation to the death of a young child, crushed by the collapse of a ‘queue barrier’ at one of its TopShop stores in Reading)
- Care home fatalities (Simon is currently representing Sussex Health Care in relation to the death of a young man at one of its sites and has previously represented a care home manager in relation to the death of an elderly resident).
- Motorway accidents (Simon represented WS Atkins in relation to design issues concerning one of the original ‘smart motorway’ sections of the M25).
- School outings (Simon represented a girls school in relation to the drowning of a young student in a school trip to a theme park).
- Theme parks (Simon represented Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd in relation to the death of a child on one of its rides).
Selected Cases
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Recommendations
“An exceptional KC and superb advocate. He knows how to read the court and jury.”…”Simon has a phenomenal capacity and an ability to assimilate a vast amount of evidence which us mere mortals can only dream about.”
Legal 500, 2025
“Simon is an excellent advocate, gaining the trust of clients, judges and juries alike.”….”Simon is one of the best in this field. He makes clients confident because he makes it clear he’s going to do his very best for them.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
‘Simon is meticulous in his preparation and his advocacy is firm, persuasive and impressive.’
Legal 500, 2024
‘Simon advocates on his clients’ behalf with grace and panache. His statements are concise and precise, often encapsulating complex points and principles in both judge and jury-friendly terms and aided by his crystal-clear delivery.‘
Legal 500, 2024
“One of the best trial counsel around and an expert at setting out mitigation. Simon can deal with those cases where you need a touch of magic to navigate difficult or complex issues.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“Absolutely first class. He has a fantastic feel for a case, and really gets into the detail and understands every aspect.”
Legal 500, 2022
“Real expertise, very approachable and measured in his approach – my go-to advocate!”
Legal 500, 2021
“His written work is brilliant, his cross-examination skills are very, very good and he’s a brilliant trial advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Simon is a star performer in the top bracket. He is very astute and his strategic thinking and attention to detail are second to none. Makes clients feel reassured that they have someone at the top of their game who will fight their corner.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is fiercely intelligent, very commercially aware and has a brilliant manner with clients. He has a real strength in understanding and simplifying technical and expert evidence for judges and juries alike and is amongst the most polished advocates around. Simon is particularly good at looking at novel arguments and bringing a new way of thinking to the case.”
Legal 500, 2021
“A brilliant barrister who will fly in silk.”; “He gets a great rapport going with clients and has a good criminal legal brain which is of great help on strategic issues that come up.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“Simon Antrobus is unquestionably a star individual.”…”He is really knowledgeable, careful, clever and a safe pair of hands.”
Chambers & Partners, 2018
