This week the Scottish Covid Inquiry had its first hearing at Murrayfield stadium, which officially marks the beginning of the evidence gathering stage of the inquiry.
This was a preliminary hearing, which did not take evidence, and instead was an opportunity for the Chair of the inquiry to explain how it will go about its work.
The Chair to the inquiry will usually make a statement, and the hearing tends to cover the practical and procedural matters relevant to the Inquiry and its participants, such as timescales for hearings.
The preliminary hearing gave some practical insight into the future progress of the inquiry. Although the first hearing was at Murrayfield, future hearings will be accommodated at either the Land Court in Edinburgh or the inquiry offices at Waverley Gate, once these offices are complete (expected to be Summer 2024). The hearings in October will be at the Land Court and begin on Tuesday 24 October, sitting from Tuesday to Friday each week, finishing by 8 December. The purpose of these hearings will be to take evidence from representative groups on the impact of the pandemic on certain types of organisations, within the health and social care space. There will be a support officer provided for those giving evidence, with witness support also available.
There are three focuses for the inquiry: health and social care, education and young people, and business, finance and welfare. It is health and social care which will be dealt with first.
An interesting feature of this hearing is that a video had been prepared and was watched at the inquiry and can be seen here.
Frustrations have been expressed by participants, particularly the Scottish Covid Bereaved Group, that insufficient progress has been made. The progress of the inquiry will be closely scrutinised.
In contrast, the UK Covid Inquiry has already been hearing evidence since 13 June 2023. Both inquiries are understood not to be sitting at the same time to take evidence where there is overlap between the subject matter. This means that on the current timetable the UK Covid Inquiry will sit in Scotland in January to hear evidence, and therefore the Scottish Inquiry will not.
As both inquiries are now running hearings and evidence gathering is underway, many organisations will be closely following the issues raised, and considering how these might apply to their own pandemic response.
Our experienced inquiries team can help organisations in any sector that may be affected on the impact of the investigation and evidence gathering stages, including advising on potential involvement in the Inquiry.
We have considerable experience preparing entities in advance of inquiries and have supported clients throughout the full life journey of an inquiry, from pre-commencement to recommendations, and onto subsequent litigation. We are experienced in managing responses to high-profile inquiries and regularly work with boards and key stakeholders to identify liability, reputational and strategic risk. Our team also has experience in acting as solicitors to a major inquiry, giving us a unique perspective from the other side.
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