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Fiona has acted for both the government and individuals persuing claims against the state. In March 2009 she was appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel of junior counsel.
Inquests:
Fiona has represented the families of those who have died in custody. She also appears in judicial review proceedings following Inquests. She recently appeared in the Court of Appeal for the family of the deceased in P v HM Coroner for the District of Avon in which it was held that, a jury should be directed that they can append judgmental, narrative text to a traditional short form verdict (where Art 2 of ECHR is engaged).
Other significant Inquests include:
- HM City of London Coroner’s Inquest into the Death of Lyndsey Wright (May 2008): Fiona appeared on behalf of the mother of the late Lynsdey Wright who died in HMP Holloway as a result of methadone toxicity. The verdict was critical of care received by the deceased whilst under the prison’s heroin detoxification scheme.
- HM Coroner for North Manchester into the Death of Rebecca Smith (December 2009): Fiona appeared on behalf of the late Rebecca Smith’s parents who ended her life whilst in custody at HMP Buckley Hall. At the conclusion of the Inquest, HM Coroner agreed to write to the Ministry of Justice requesting a review of the national arrangements for allocation of female prisons to various prisons.
General Advisory work:
Fiona has advised the families of the deceased in relation to their procedural and substantive rights under Article 2. First, to have the death investigated including their remedies under the Public Inquiries Act 2005. Second, in relation to claims arising from Article 2.
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