Justice, Accountability, and Reform

Hillsborough Law—formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill—is landmark legislation designed to prevent institutional cover-ups and ensure transparency in the aftermath of public tragedies. Its core provisions include:

  • Legal Duty of Candour: Public authorities and officials must act with honesty and openness during inquiries and investigations, backed by criminal sanctions for serious breaches.
  • Equal Legal Representation: Bereaved families receive publicly funded legal aid at inquests, levelling the playing field against state-funded legal teams.
  • New Offences for Misleading the Public: Criminal liability for officials who deliberately obstruct justice or mislead inquiries.
  • Cultural Change in Public Service: A commitment to ethical conduct and accountability across all public bodies.

This law is a direct response to systemic failures exposed by disasters such as Hillsborough, Grenfell, and the infected blood scandal, ensuring that truth and justice are never delayed again.

 

The Hillsborough Inquests: History and Significance 

The Hillsborough disaster on 15th April 1989 claimed 97 lives and injured hundreds during an FA Cup semi-final at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium. The initial inquests in 1991 controversially returned verdicts of accidental death, sparking decades of campaigning by bereaved families.

Key milestones:

  • 1990 Taylor Report: Identified police failures as the cause of the disaster and recommended sweeping stadium safety reforms.
  • 2012 Hillsborough Independent Panel Report: Exposed the scale of misinformation and institutional failings.
  • 2014–2016 Fresh Inquests: After the original verdicts were quashed, new hearings concluded that the victims were unlawfully killed, the fans were completely exonerated, and police failures were the primary cause.

The inquest process demonstrated the importance of the families having legal representation to advocate on their behalf and highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in inquests and public inquiries.

 

Hillsborough Law Now Campaign 

The Hillsborough Law Now (HLN) campaign is a coalition of families, activists, legal professionals, and advocacy groups united by a shared mission: to enshrine a duty of candour in law and secure justice for victims of state-related disasters.

Coalition and Advocacy Efforts Include:

  • Families of the 97 victims leading the fight for truth.
  • Support from groups such as Grenfell United, Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, and other communities affected by systemic failings.
  • Backing from political leaders and legal experts, including MPs and mayors who championed the bill in Parliament.

The campaign’s work ensures that lessons from Hillsborough shape a fairer future for all when it comes to accountability in the wake of disasters.

 

Timeline: From Disaster to Legislative Action 

  • 15 April 1989: Hillsborough disaster occurs during FA Cup semi-final; 97 lives lost.
  • 1990: Taylor Report published; police failures named as the cause of the disaster and major stadium safety reforms recommended.
  • 1991: Original inquests return accidental death verdicts.
  • 2009: Hillsborough Independent Panel established.
  • 2012: Panel report reveals systemic failings and misinformation.
  • 2016: Fresh inquests conclude victims were unlawfully killed. The supporters were completely from exonerated causing or contributing to the disaster.
  • 2017: First draft of Hillsborough Law introduced as a private member’s bill.
  • 2025: Public Office (Accountability) Bill (known as Hillsborough Law) formally introduced to Parliament, fulfilling decades of campaigning.

If you need expert legal advice on public accountability, inquests, or advocacy for systemic reform, contact our team today. We are committed to supporting individuals and families in navigating complex legal processes with compassion and expertise.