Hillsborough Law – reaction from David Sandiford

September 19, 2025

David Sandiford from Exchange Chambers, who appeared at the Hillsborough Inquests, has welcomed the introduction of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2025, which was laid before Parliament this week.

If passed, the Bill, widely known as Hillsborough Law, will mean that officials “must act with honesty and integrity at all times, with criminal sanctions for egregious breaches”.

A legal duty of candour will be placed on public officials and authorities. Bereaved families will have publicly-funded representation at inquests where a public body is represented and public bodies spending on their own legal representation will have to be proportionate. State bodies will be expected to act “with the sole purpose of helping the coroner establish the facts of the case”.

Commenting on the Bill, David Sandiford said:

“The introduction of this legislation is long awaited and should be welcomed. One hopes, for the sake of the victims of future disasters and scandals, that it will be effective in influencing behaviours for the better.”