Richard Matthews KC

Inquests & Public Inquiries

Richard Matthews KC has acted for interested parties at a large number of inquests, and has a particular specialism in representing corporations in inquests concerning work-related and fire-related deaths.

“An impressive silk who has a wealth of experience in cases spanning the full breadth of regulatory and criminal health and safety issues. He has represented international corporations and individuals, as well as FTSE companies… He is also noted for his representation of individuals at inquests arising from accidents at work.”

— Chambers and Partners, 2021 Edition

Richard has also advised and acted for interested parties, including bereaved families, at inquests concerned with Article 2 of the ECHR and the right to life / state involvement in fatalities.

Richard represented the Whirlpool Corporation (the owner of the Hotpoint brand) at the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people. In 2013, Richard represented the London Borough of Southwark at the three-month inquest into the six fatalities resulting from the fire at the Lakanal flats in July 2009.

He represented, together with Eleanor Sanderson, the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service at the inquest into the death of a psychiatric patient, with a history of setting fires, who died at a Reading hospital.

Richard represented Taunton Rugby Football Club (which had hosted a public fireworks display) at the inquest into the seven M5 motorway fatalities in thick fog on 4th November 2011.

Richard represented the HSE’s Chief Executive and the HSE at the second Francis Inquiry, examining the role of regulation and regulators. that culminated in the publication of the Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry in February 2013.

Richard represented the Bexley Academy at the Inquest into the death of one of the school’s students, Samuel Boon, on a World Challenge trip to Morocco.

Richard also represented the family of PC Timothy Payne at the inquest into his death which resulted in the review of custody procedures and bail in cases of identified suicide risk.

He has advised the HSE, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to many investigations into fatal incidents, including on decisions to prosecute, both prior to and post inquest.