Biggest Public Inquiries in 2025
There are currently over 15 active public inquires taking place in the UK.
Many of these will conclude in 2025, whilst others may take far longer, investigating a wide range of complex issues from Undercover Policing to extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan.
We have picked out 5 of these inquiries to keep a close eye on in 2025, with reports either expected to be published this year, or significant developments likely to be on the horizon.
Sheku Bayoh Inquiry
In 2015, Sheku Bayoh died in police custody after being restrained by up to six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
As Scotland’s leading public inquiry lawyer, Aamer Anwar & Co. have been representing the family on a pro-bono basis, keeping the pressure on the police, Crown Office and the PIRC to ensure a full investigation is conducted and justice is served.
In 2019, Lord Advocate James Wolfe KC advised that the crown office would not be prosecuting any of the officers involved in Sheku’s death or Police Scotland themselves.
Thanks to the unrelenting campaigning of the Bayoh family and Aamer Anwar & Co, an unprecedented public inquiry was announced by the Scottish Government in 2022.
Kate Forbes, deputy First Minister, has been repeatedly asked by Lord Bracadale, the inquiry chair, the Bayoh family, and Aamer Anwar & Co. to expand the Terms of Reference of this inquiry to examine why the Crown Office did not prosecute police officers at the time. Without this expansion, the Crown Office cannot be held accountable for their actions.
Despite repeated stonewalling from the Scottish Government, Aamer Anwar & Co. will continue to put the pressure on until this decision is made.
Covid-19 Inquiries
The UK Covid Inquiry and the Scottish Covid Inquiry have been examining both the UK Government and Scottish Parliament’s responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic since 2021.
Aamer Anwar & Co. were selected as the solicitor responsible for representing members of the Scottish Bereaved Families for Justice Group during the UK Covid Inquiry and have been doing so throughout the inquiry process.
With the inquiry set to continue throughout 2025, we will continue to pursue justice for those affected most tragically by the pandemic and ensure that those in positions of power both at the time, and subsequently do not escape from taking responsibility for their actions and the consequences of those actions.
Scottish Hospitals Inquiry
Chaired by Lord Brodie, the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry is investigating the planning, design and maintenance processes involved in the construction of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Campus (QUEH) and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences (RHCYP/DCN).
More specifically, the inquiry is set to determine how flaws in ventilation systems and other key building systems has contributed to a number of unusual infections being spread throughout the facilities as a result of water supply issues and fungus found in bird droppings.
The 4th and final Glasgow hearing session will be held this year beginning on 29th April 2025, and there will also be an oral hearing to hear final closing submissions in relation to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children in August.
Undercover Policing Inquiry
One of the longer running public inquiries in the UK is the Undercover Policing Inquiry which was first announced by then Home Secretary Theresa May back in 2014. Whilst how long public inquiries take can vary, well over a decade is unusual and criticisms have been leveled concerning the lack of progress being made.
The inquiry was commissioned in response to a number of allegations concerning the activities of undercover police officers infiltrating social justice groups including deceiving women into intimate relationships, concealing evidence in court cases and creating fake identities using the names of dead children.
Criticism has been levelled at the inquiry over the length of time taken to reach decisions, and the decision to allow undercover officers to give evidence without revealing their identity.
Trance 3 and Tranche 4 evidence hearings (examining deployments from 1993-2007) will take place in February and October 2025 respectively, with the inquiry aiming to publish its full findings in 2026.
