Applications are now open for Core Participant status as part of the Inquiry’s Oldham Local Area Investigation and the Bradford and Keighley Local Area Investigation. Under Rule 5 of the Inquiries Rules 2006, a Core Participant is an individual or organisation who:
- played, or may have played, a direct and significant role in relation to the matters to which the Inquiry relates;
- has a significant interest in an important aspect of the matters to which the Inquiry relates; or
- may be subject to explicit or significant criticism during the Inquiry proceedings or in the report, or in any interim report.
Core Participants have specific rights within the Inquiry process, including receiving relevant disclosure and making opening or closing statements at hearings. Core Participant status in a Local Area Investigation is unlikely to be granted in respect of individuals or bodies who do not have a close and substantial connection with the relevant area. The Inquiry stresses that Core Participant status is not required for individuals or organisations to share their experiences with the Inquiry or contribute to its work.
Core Participant status can provide an important opportunity to participate in the Inquiry. We recognise, however, that taking part as a Core Participant may require a considerable commitment of time and may involve receiving information that is sensitive or distressing. The process may be experienced differently depending on personal circumstances. Before applying for Core Participant status, applicants are encouraged to consider what such participation may involve, the choices available and the support that can be provided. As noted above, Core Participant status is not required for individuals or organisations to contribute to the Inquiry, for example by providing evidence or participating in the Inquiry’s National Listening Project.
The Inquiry’s Local Area Investigations look in detail at what happened in Oldham and Bradford and Keighley during the timescales set out in the terms of reference – between 1 January 1996 and 31 March 2029 – identifying the circumstances in which the exploitation and abuse took place, the response of institutions to victims and survivors, whether that response was inadequate or even harmful, and the current picture of how the various organisations seek to prevent and respond to such abuse, including the support available for victims and survivors.
Applications for Core Participant status in relation to the Inquiry’s Oldham Local Area Investigation and Bradford and Keighley Local Area Investigation will open on 11 November 2026 and will close at 5pm on 9 December 2026. This application period is for the Oldham Local Area Investigation, and for the Bradford and Keighley Local Area Investigation. Separate application periods for the Wales Investigation and the Local Area Investigations into London and into Birmingham will be announced separately.
Core Participant status is being considered separately for each part of the Inquiry’s work. Accordingly, individuals and organisations granted Core Participant status for the National Accountability Hearings will need to submit a separate application during this application period if they wish to be considered for Core Participant status in the Local Area Investigations into Oldham or into Bradford and Keighley. Individuals and organisations wishing to apply for Core Participant status in both Local Area Investigations should submit a separate application for each investigation.
Whilst all applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, the Chair considers that it is likely that all victims and survivors will be represented by a small number of Recognised Legal Representatives (RLRs). The list of Core Participants sets out the RLRs who have been designated to represent individual victims and survivors, support groups and advocates for the National Accountability Hearings.
Individuals who are not currently legally represented and who would like legal assistance with their Core Participant application are encouraged to contact one of the RLRs in the list at an early stage. The names and contact details of those firms are set out below. Legal representatives are similarly encouraged to direct their clients to one of those firms and will be required to explain in the application any reasons for not having done so.
| Firm/Organisation | Recognised Legal Representatives |
|---|---|
| Bhatt Murphy | Becky Hart (b.hart@bhattmurphy.co.uk) |
| Bolt Burdon Kemp | Alan Collins (alancollins@bbkllp.co.uk) |
| Howe + Co | David Enright JP (D.Enright@howe.co.uk) |
| Simpson Millar | Nathalie Swanwick (Nathalie.swanwick@simpsonmillar.co.uk) Jacob Shaw (Jacob.shaw@simpsonmillar.co.uk) Abigail Hart (Abbi.Hart@simpsonmillar.co.uk) |
| Slater and Gordon | Richard Scorer (Richard.Scorer@slatergordon.uk) |
| Switalskis Solicitors | David Greenwood (David.Greenwood@switalskis.com) Amy Clowrey (Amy.Clowrey@switalskis.com) Sally Smith (Sally.Smith@switalskis.com) Kate Hall (Kate.Hall@switalskis.com) |
| Broudie Jackson Canter | Nicola Brook (NBrook@broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk) |
| Leigh Day | Emma Jones (ejones@leighday.co.uk) |
| Centre for Women’s Justice | Kate Ellis (K.Ellis@centreforwomensjustice.org.uk) |
Applicants should also state in their application whether, if designated as a Core Participant in a Local Area Investigation, they intend to seek an award of legal costs under section 40 of the Inquiries Act 2005 in connection with the relevant Local Area Investigation.
Applications should be sent by email to: Solicitor@grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk and should not exceed five pages of typed text.
Further information about Core Participant applications is available in the Core Participant Protocol.
