I am honoured and privileged to speak with Coroners and Presiding Officers of Inquests including as well Coroner’s counsel and investigative officers today about Inquests where Mental Health is an issue.

I have been counsel on at least two dozen, mostly very high-profile inquests into police shootings of individuals in crisis and institutional deaths, often by suicide, for nearly the whole of my now (also very nearly) 30 year career.

These Inquests have certainly been the most rewarding litigation experiences of my career.

The collaborative nature of the proceedings means losing the adversarial stance we must take to all our other work before tribunals and courts.

I’ve been fortunate to have made life-long friends, including among “opposing” counsel, throughout the process of being involved, as mostly counsel to intervener groups in the public interest, mostly to the Empowerment Council.

The prospect of doing good really motivates everyone involved with an inquest. Working collaboratively toward recommendations the Jury may choose to adopt is what drives everyone to contribute creative and positive ideas. It is genuinely noble work.

I am eternally grateful to the Office of the Chief Coroner for their inclusive approach to public interest standing and the voices of people with lived experience of mental health issues in these important proceedings.

Also very grateful for this opportunity to speak with those who are attending today.