Articles
Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2
Bishop, Lloyd & Jackson solicitors remain very proud, honoured and privileged to represent 96 victims of the Grenfell Tower fire including the survivors who managed to escape the building that night and those living in the adjacent Grenfell Walk residential blocks who witnessed the horrific events of the night and also lost their homes, and their lives as they knew them and residents from the adjacent and connected Walkways residential blocks. Bishop, Lloyd & Jackson solicitors act for them in respect of their civil claims for compensation.
Bishop, Lloyd & Jackson solicitors also act for clients in relation to the Public Inquiry into the fire.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry published its first report on the Grenfell Tower fire on 30 October 2019 which primarily dealt with the events of the night of the fire and the role of the emergency services. The Inquiry is led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick.
The final hearing of the second phase of the Inquiry took place in November 2022 and the second and final report is due to be published on Wednesday 4 September 2024.
This final report will address the condition of the building and how the fire came to happen with such catastrophic results and is expected to put forward further recommendations. “The principal focus of Phase 2 will be on the decisions which led to the installation of a highly combustible cladding system on a high-rise residential building and the wider background against which they were taken,” Sir Martin Moore-Bick advised in October 2019.
Over the past seven years our clients lives and those of their neighbours, friends and family which were shattered by the events of the night of the fire, marked indelibly, have fought valiantly to rebuild their lives in the aftermath. The ripple effect has been significant. It has been a hugely challenging journey and it is far from over.
The publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report this week is a landmark event.
The report is expected to include conclusions about the actions of the corporates, government bodies and all parties who were responsible for the disastrous refurbishment of the building which culminated in the tragic events of 14 June 2017, noted for being the worst residential fire since the second world war.
Our clients and those affected seek clear answers, acceptance of responsibility, accountability and justice.
Recommendations sought by the Bereaved and survivors include legal safeguards to fully protect the health and safety of residents and ensuring health and safety is paramount in building design and construction and not placed below profit or expense ; a legal duty of candour and a national oversight mechanism, an independent public body, to be put in place, responsible for collating, analysing and following up on recommendations from public inquiries.
In his report, Infected Blood Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff indicated he would keep his inquiry open to monitor the Government’s response to his recommendations. To effectively allow and ensure scrutiny of the recommendations.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry may take a similar approach.
In practical terms, cultural, institutional and legislative change is sought to ensure that a similar event will never happen in the future. That possibility is on the horizon.
In May this year the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service said no charges would be announced until late 2026 at the earliest because of the increasing “scale and complexity” of the inquiry.
Nineteen companies or organisations are currently under investigation, “Operation Northleigh”, along with 58 individuals. Senior officers have confirmed they are continuing to gather evidence of potential corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter and fraud.
The search for justice continues.
Media Publications
Sky News – It Could have been me, the Grenfell children who survived the blaze.
BBC – I heard years of Grenfell testimony. Here’s why the disaster could have been prevented
The Standard – Grenfell families pin hopes for justice on ‘landmark’ final report
The Guardian – A web of blame, key finds from the second phase of the Grenfell inquiry.
The Guardian – Gathered in grief: the Grenfell communities sharing solace and succour
iNews – Angela Rayner pledges to end ‘foot dragging’ over removal of Grenfell-style cladding