Hillsborough Law Bill

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill – otherwise known as the Hillsborough Law – introduced to Parliament today (16 September) places a new legal duty on public servants to act truthfully and fully support investigations into the state, ensuring wrongdoing is not concealed and delivering justice for victims. 

It also replaces the current Misconduct in Public Office offence which more clearly uphold the high standards the public rightly expect of officials, with tough sanctions including time behind bars for those who fall short. 

Bereaved families will benefit from the largest expansion in legal aid for a decade, providing non-means-tested legal help and representation for inquests. There will also be a new duty on public authorities to ensure any spend on legal advice and representation at inquests is necessary and proportionate. The duty will also guide the conduct of lawyers at the Coroner court ensuing families are always treated with sensitivity and respect.