Location of the Public Inquiry

There is a good deal of precedent for a public inquiry to be held as close as possible the events which it is investigating. That was so, for example, in the case of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, which was held at the nearest available offices to the site of the murder, in Elephant and Castle. The Bloody Sunday Inquiry was held principally at Londonderry. The advantages of a local hearing are that the local community, which is likely to have the most pressing interest in the matter, may feel more engaged in the process and that local witnesses will not be forced to travel significant distances.

There are, of course, disadvantages. Firstly, there may not be any suitable location for holding public hearings without considerable expenditure. Secondly, giving local “ownership” to a public inquiry may be unnecessarily parochial. Where a large sum of public money is to be spent it may be preferable for the public to see the matter dealt with at a major population centre. Thirdly, the cost of getting the staff and the lawyers for the witnesses and interested parties to the inquiry must be considered. Finally, the advantages for local witnesses may be illusory. Where a matter has caused local controversy and ill-feeling, witnesses may be more comfortable giving their evidence at some distance from the events.