Caroline Cross, Christopher Mellor and Matthew Flinn instructed in complex inquest - Nov 2019
Caroline Cross has a diverse civil and public law practice with particular interests in inquests, human rights, clinical negligence, mental health and personal injury. She represents both claimants and defendants.
InquestsCaroline has a varied inquest practice and acts in inquests pertaining to medical and mental health matters, local authorities and military personnel. She represents both the bereaved and Interested Persons. In 2019, Caroline was appointed Assistant Coroner to Southwark.
She is also the co-editor of, and contributing author to, ‘The Inquest Book: The Law of Coroners and Inquests’ (Hart Publishing, 2016)’.
Caroline was also junior counsel for the Treasury Solicitors in the Public Inquiry into the death of Baha Mousa [2008 – 2010].
Selected Cases
- Inquest into the death of an infant [2019]: Represented the family of child who died following inadequate management of chorioamnionitis.
- Inquest into the death of John Brackenbury [2017]: Represented the family of a grandfather who died at Addenbrookes Hospital following a failure to prioritise surgery for a stroke.
- Inquest into death of Heather Loveridge [2017]: Represented the family of a grandmother who set herself on fire at a mental health unit using a cigarette lighter following a failure in the Trust’s search policy.
- Inquest into the death of Amin Abdullah [2017]: Represented the partner of an award-winning nurse who suffered mental health issues as a result of a delayed disciplinary process and dismissal from his post with a Trust. He killed himself whilst an informal patient on a mental health unit.
- Inquest into the death of Marion Munns [2016]: Represented the family of a nurse who died whilst under the care of the community mental health services of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.
- Inquest into the death of Tyler Redhead [2013]: Inquest into the death of a 14 week old baby who died of head injuries and who had suffered other significant non-accidental injuries. Represented the council who were responsible for social care for the family and the deceased.
- Inquest into the death of Martin Dunleavy [2011]: Represented the family in this five day jury inquest. The Deceased, who had exhibited paranoid behaviour leading to his arrest, had been admitted to hospital and was found in a stairwell with fatal injuries. The verdict was accidental death.
Caroline practises in all areas of clinical negligence. Previous cases include failures to diagnose, the provision of incorrect or inappropriate treatment, and failures to obtain informed consent. She has been instructed by AVMA.
Caroline specialises in child abuse claims on behalf of claimants against local authorities, schools and individuals. She also appears before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel. In addition, Caroline undertakes personal injury work.
Selected Cases
- (2018) High Court settlement thought to be the first for sexual assaults involving primary school pupils.
- Application no. 32666/10 X, Y & Z v the United Kingdom [2010]: Instructed in an application to the European Court of Human Rights as junior counsel on behalf of the applicants. It was contended that a local authority had breached the applicants’ rights under Articles 3, 6, 8 and 13 ECHR by failing to re-house a vulnerable couple in spite of a history of abuse and harassment by teenagers. The couple and their family were subsequently imprisoned in their home subjected to very serious assaults and abuse. The case was settled.
1COR hosts Sutton Trust students for an insight into life at the Bar - Oct 2019
What is a barrister? 1COR hosts Sutton Trust Pathways to Law students to give them a glimpse into life at the Bar. 1COR, led by Head of Outreach Jo Moore, welcomes Sutton Trust students to learn...
Is this too sensitive? Dealing with difficult issues in Inquests and Inquiries - Oct 2019
Welcome to an evening of debate with three teams of 1COR speakers with extensive experience in their roles in major inquests and inquiries. They will discuss the different perspectives and lessons...
Halsbury’s Laws on Coroners, Cremation & Burials released, Caroline Cross as Consultant Editor - Oct 2019
Halsbury’s Laws of England volumes on Coroners, Cremation and Burials have been released. Consultant Editor Caroline Cross has updated all three sections, using her extensive experience in this...
Six members of chambers participate in Inner Temple outreach events - Apr 2019
Members of 1 Crown Office Row have been volunteering their time to participate in Inner Temple’s Schools Day events. These events, run in collaboration with the Sutton Trust and other organisations,...
Caroline Cross appointed Assistant Coroner to Southwark - Jan 2019
1COR are delighted to announce Caroline Cross’s appointment to the part-time post of Assistant District Coroner to the London borough of Southwark. Caroline has a broad inquest practice,...
Caroline Cross represents the family of in high profile inquest into infant death - Jan 2019
Caroline Cross represented the parents at the inquest into the death of their infant son, Sebastian Clark. During labour at Kingston Hospital his mother was diagnosed with suspected chorioamnionitis,...
Caroline Cross represents claimant in first known settlement for sexual assaults involving primary school pupils approved by the High Court - Nov 2018
Caroline Cross, instructed by Alison Millar and Andrew Lord at Leigh Day, represented the child claimant in this case involving the sexual assault of a six year old girl by pupils at the same primary...
Caroline Cross appointed Consultant Editor of Halsbury’s Laws for Coroners and Cremation & Burial - Nov 2018
We are delighted that Caroline Cross has been appointed Consultant Editor to the Halsbury’s Laws sections on Coroners, Cremation and Burial. Halsbury’s Laws is a widely used resource for many...
Caroline Cross represented the family in a recent inquest - Nov 2017
Caroline Cross represented the family in an inquest into the death of Heather Loveridge, a grandmother who set herself on fire at a mental health unit using a cigarette lighter. Caroline was...
Law Pod UK Ep. 15: Inquests and Article 2 - Oct 2017
Caroline Cross and Rachel Marcus look at the link between inquests and Article Two of the European Convention on Human Rights. Recorded at the 2017 Public Law event at King’s College London. Listen...
1COR Public Law Seminar – Life, Liberty & Security - Sep 2017
Date: 11th September 2017 We will be tweeting using the hash tag: #1CORpublic Registration: 16:30pm onwards Programme: 17:00 - 17:50 Panel Discussion chaired by Mrs Justice Whipple. ...
Second donation of royalties to the Bar Pro Bono Unit from the Inquest Book - May 2017
The co-editors and authors of the "Inquest Book: The Law of Coroners and Inquests" (Hart Publishing, 2016) were delighted to make a second donation of royalties to the Bar Pro Bono Unit, bringing the...
Profits from the sale of the Inquest Book given to the Bar Pro Bono Unit - Nov 2016
The Inquest Book: The Law on Coroners and Inquests edited by Caroline Cross was published earlier this year. This week, profits raised of £954.41 have been donated to the Bar Pro Bono Unit by the...
Caroline Cross Represents Family of Nurse in Inquest - Nov 2016
Caroline Cross represented the family in the inquest into the death of a nurse who died whilst under the care of the community mental health services of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. The...
New Appointments to the Attorney General’s A, B and C Panels – February 2013 - Feb 2013