Recommendation 11

We urge the Government to take steps to ensure that families receive proportionate legal representation at inquests and inquiries whenever the state has its own representation. If a consultation on the extension of legal aid in inquests that follow public disasters is considered necessary, it should be launched at the earliest opportunity. While seeking to reduce the spending of public authorities on legal representation inquest may be appropriate, Government must be careful not to simply reduce the quality of representation overall, as this risks damaging the ability of inquests to serve their statutory and Article 2 ECHR purpose. (Paragraph 90) Independent Public Advocate