Those who’ve been affected by the event being investigated should seek to become a Core Participant, and in doing so, would have the right to appoint a lawyer to represent their interests. It can be an extremely distressing and emotional time for those affected and public inquiries are usually high profile and can attract a lot of media attention. It can be a daunting process for anyone and especially for those who have to provide oral evidence. There’s also a lot of information to take in at once and a lot of aspects of an inquiry can be quite technical and legal, and often seem alien and difficult to understand. A lawyer can provide you with a full explanation of the proceedings, ensure that all your concerns are addressed, and provide you with the support you need. Often people believe that if they have legal representation, it will dilute their involvement. This is not the case. Instead it enhances your ability to get involved and understand it thoroughly. Public inquiries can be incredibly complex and fast moving with a lot of evidence to be considered. It’s extremely important in order to get proper representation, that you choose a lawyer who specialises in public inquiries. Your lawyer must understand the process fully to ensure you’re provided with the absolute best representation possible.