Inquiries

Bankside Chambers has experts in all types of inquiries, including statutory inquiries, non-statutory inquiries, coroner’s inquiries, investigations and reviews.  
‍

Statutory inquiries enable the Government to obtain independent advice on matters of public importance or concern. Such inquiries often look into major events. They are asked to look at what happened and why, as well as to make recommendations as to what can be improved in the future.

‍

There are three types of statutory inquiry. The first type is a Government Inquiry, which provides a report to the Minister who set it up. Recent examples of Government Inquiries include the Government Inquiry into the Auckland Fuel Supply Disruption and the Government Inquiry into Operation Burnham. The second and third types are Public Inquiries and Royal Commissions, both of which provide a report to the Governor-General and Parliament. Recent examples of these second and third types of inquiry include the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Statutory inquiries are set up under the Inquiries Act 2013. Such inquiries are independent.
‍

Non-statutory inquiries, investigations and reviews enable corporations and/or individuals to obtain independent advice on matters of importance or concern to them. However, such inquiries lack the coercive powers of statutory inquiries, as they are not constituted under the Inquiries Act 2013.

‍

Coroner’s inquiries are initiated under the Coroner’s Act 2006 and may result in a hearing or inquest. Members of chambers have acted as Counsel assisting to the Coroner during inquiries and inquests. ‍

‍
Our expertise extends to running inquiries, investigations and reviews, advising such inquiries as counsel assisting, and acting for participants.

‍