Peter Skelton KC

Inquests

Peter acts for all participants in inquests, including families, private corporations, state bodies, and coroners. His cases often involve proceedings in the High Court, Divisional Court, and Court of Appeal.

He is currently representing the families of the victims of the terrorist attack in Reading in 2020 in which three men were fatally stabbed, and the families of the patients who died from suspected over-medication at the Gosport Memorial Hospital.

He was recently instructed to act for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in the inquests into the murders by serial killer Stephen Port; and the tram operator in the inquests arising from the 2016 Croydon tram crash.

Prior to that, he was Counsel to the Coroners in the inquest into the 1974 terrorist bombings in Birmingham and the inquest into the sudden death of the Russian businessman Alexander Perepilichnyy.

Listen to Peter discuss the impact of COVID-19 on inquests in Episode 111 of Law Pod UK here.

Selected Cases

• Reading Terror Attack Inquests: for the families.
• Gosport Memorial Hospital Inquests: for the families.
• Stephen Port Inquests: for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
• Croydon Tram Inquests: for the tram operator.
• R (Wandsworth Borough Council) v HM Senior Coroner for Inner West London [2021] EWHC 801 (Admin).
• Farrell v HM Coroner for North East Hampshire [2021] EWHC 778 (Admin).
• Birmingham Inquests (1974).
• Coroner for Birmingham Inquests (1974) v Hambleton [2018] EWCA Civ 2081.
• Alexander Perepilichnyy Inquest.
• Secretary of State for the Home Department v HM Senior Coroner for Surrey [2017] EWHC 3001 (Admin), [2017] 4 WLR 191.
• Alice Gross Inquest.
• Brecon Beacons Inquest.
• In Amenas Inquest.

“Very knowledgeable, excellent in court and on paper.” “His grasp of detail is extraordinary and he is able to distil large volumes of documents into a series of simple propositions for witnesses. His style of questioning is relaxed yet forensic and precise.” (Chambers & Partners 2021)

‘His written work and advocacy are impeccable, and his manner in hearings is just right.’ (Legal 500 2021)

“He has a real mastery of the factual detail and is superb at assimilating material and evidence and getting on top of it all.” “He’s the most relaxed advocate I’ve ever seen; he’s very gentle with witnesses but always gets his point across even when it’s very difficult.” “He’s almost flawless in court: completely fluid and sensible. He doesn’t take bad points and when he has a good one he puts it across efficiently and persuasively.” (Chambers & Partners 2020)

‘He has a relaxed bedside manner that hides a ruthless streak that cuts to the core of any issue.’ (Legal 500 2019)

“He’s very bright, effective and has a very nice, laid-back manner in court.” “He is a really superb public lawyer.”  (Chambers & Partners 2019)

‘He can plot the way through complex issues and his knowledge of coronial law is superb.’ (Legal 500 2018)

“A confident advocate and good communicator.” (Legal 500 2017)

“He comes up with novel ideas, provides a realistic and sensible evaluation of cases and deals with difficult clients well. He just navigates the course through.” “Great on his feet, thinks quickly, sharp as a razor and very articulate.” (Chambers & Partners 2017)

“Simply excellent.” (Legal 500 2016)