Expert Commentary: Public Inquiries – continuity, change and institutional infrastructure

Abstract

This commentary focuses upon the legal process, in particular its ability (or lack of it) to capture and sustain important knowledge generated from the inquiry process and how such experience could be utilised to respond appropriately to the challenges of the ever-changing landscape of public events that require the inquiry process. The commentary proposes the creation of a secretariat dedicated to delivering the inquiry process - a permanent Inquiry Office. Such a reform could provide continuity in the knowledge gained from one inquiry to the next, and develop flexibly to accommodate the changing requirements of individual inquiries driven by their different subject matter.