30 August 2022

The Scottish COVID-19 Public Inquiry will examine the strategic response to the pandemic in Scotland. The Inquiry will look at the handling of the pandemic and its impact, with the aim of identifying actions that had a positive effect, and making recommendations where things could have been done differently.

In August 2022, the Inquiry invited applications from any individuals, groups or organisations that would like to be designated as a core participant.  Applications can be submitted until Friday 16 September 2022.  The Inquiry will publish the list of successful applicants later this year. 

Criteria for a successful application include:

• having played a direct and significant role in matters being investigated by the Inquiry;
• having a significant interest in an important aspect of the Inquiry;
• being subject to potential criticism during the proceedings or in the Inquiry’s interim or final reports.

You do not need to be a core participant to be involved in the Inquiry, but you may wish to consider whether it would benefit you or your organisation.  A core participant has some additional rights to others participating in the Inquiry.  Core participants can make statements (usually through a legal representative), propose questions to be asked of witnesses in certain circumstances, and obtain advance copies of the Inquiry’s reports before publication.

Our Professional Discipline and Clinical Defence team has significant experience of providing advice and representation in Public Inquiries. This experience includes a number of high profile Inquiries in Scotland, such as the Child Abuse Inquiry, the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry. 

If you are considering applying for core participant status, or would like to discuss any other aspect of the upcoming Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, please contact Laura Donald or Cara Docherty. 

Laura Donald, Partner & Solicitor Advocate: ljd@bto.co.uk / 0131 222 2939

Cara Docherty, Associate: cdo@bto.co.uk / 0141 221 8012