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Covid-19 Inquiry Terms of Reference Finalised

21st July 2022 By Arman Khosravi

The much-anticipated Terms of Reference for the Covid Inquiry have now been finalised and published. Find out more below.

What are the Covid Inquiry Terms of Reference?

The Terms of Reference puts forward the UK Inquiry’s scope and the specifics of what will be investigated, which in this case covers the readiness and responsiveness of the government to the Covid-19 Pandemic. It will also look at the economic response, the health and care sector response as well as the public health response.

The Inquiry’s aims include:

  • Listening to the experiences of people affected by the pandemic
  • Making the inquiry open, fair and transparent
  • Preventing suffering and hardship in the event of a future pandemic

 

What stage of the Covid Inquiry are we at?

As of the 28th of June 2022, Boris Johnson, has officially approved and published the Terms of Reference. In a statement released on the 28th , Johnson says that he “is glad to accept [the Chairs] Revision in full, subject to only a small number of clarificatory adjustments put forward by Baroness Hallett.”

The long-awaited Costs Scheme has also been approved by Baroness Heather Hallett. We are happy to report that the scheme’s provisions are extremely encouraging, as it provides core participants with legal funding.

 

How can Oliver Fisher help?

Every part of society has been affected by the pandemic. The Covid Inquiry provides for an investigation into how the pandemic has affected so many groups, institutions and organisations. Members of our team have been actively involved in developing and contributing to the Grenfell Inquiry. We can assist you in understanding the inquiry processes, as well as providing guidance on what action you should take. This includes whether and how to submit an application for core participant status in due course, now that the Terms of Reference for the inquiry have been finalised.

We are currently acting for several bereaved families and welcome any discussions whether you are a family or an affected organisation. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the inquiry process, please feel free to contact us.

Are you a core participant?  

As of the 28th of June 2022, Boris Johnson has officially approved the Terms of Reference for the Covid-19 inquiry.  There, however, appears to be no guidance at this stage as to whom may be a core participant.

A core participant is any person designated as such by the Chair of an Inquiry under rule 5 of the Inquiry Rules 2006. An organisation or person who played a direct and important role in the Terms of Reference (ToR) to which the inquiry is related may be considered a core participant.

ToR for the inquiry indicates that there will be an examination of the public health response to include possibly looking at the following categories of people:

  • Bereaved families
  • Covid survivors (including those who have long Covid)
  • Domestic abuse survivors
  • Health care professionals and other front-line employees
  • NHS Trusts
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) providers
  • Test and trace providers
  • Vaccine providers
  • Educational institutions
  • Businesses
  • Academics
  • Epidemiologists
  • Various government agencies

 

Whilst this list does not reflect whom may be a core participant, it may provide an indication as to what categories the inquiry will be looking at. Feel free to contact our Arfan Bhatti and Avikar Singh for a discussion on applying for Core Participant status.

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