News

Merrill’s Public Inquiry experience comes to the fore

Merrill Legal Solutions has unparalleled experience in the field of public inquiry work, having provided services to over 30 public inquiries throughout Europe, Asia and Australia over the past six years, including Heathrow Terminal 5, Arms to Iraq, Bloody Sunday, Shipman, Hutton, E.Coli, Hong Kong Airport, Victoria Climbie and Bristol Royal Infirmary. And this expertise is being called on again – this time by both the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry and the Turks & Caicos Islands Commission of Inquiry.

The Turks & Caicos Islands Inquiry into possible corruption of past and present elected members of the legislature will initially run in London for three weeks in December and we will be providing real-time transcripts to the Chairman, with copies of the daily transcripts appearing on the Inquiry website. The Inquiry is due to move to the Turks & Caicos Islands in January 2009.

The Baha Mousa Inquiry will be investigating the death of Baha Mousa, an Iraqi civilian, who died whilst in the custody of British soldiers in Iraq. The Inquiry will also investigate the treatment of other prisoners detained at the same time.

The main hearing starts in April 2009 and Merrill will be providing a full suite of services to the Baha Mousa Inquiry, including the production of real-time transcripts for the Chairman and legal representatives with our reporters using LiveNote technology. In addition, the Inquiry evidence will be scanned prior to the hearing to enable it to be organised using Trial Director trial presentation software which will mean that those taking part in the hearings will have immediate access to evidence and exhibits. Daily transcripts will be made available to the Inquiry participants and will also be posted on the Inquiry website along with any publishable evidence heard each day.

Sarah Andrews, Group Managing Director of Merrill Legal Solutions, says: “We have a proven track record and vast experience in covering major public inquiries. Merrill can provide a range of services, including reporting and transcription solutions for witness interviews, document capture and review, trial support technology and training as well as first class real-time reporting.”

For further information on our public inquiry services, please contact Reema Corney at reema.corney@merrillcorp.com or by telephone on 0207 421 4005