Hillsborough Law: What It Means for Families and Legal Aid Access

Big changes are on the horizon for families affected by public tragedies.

In September 2024, The Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed plans for the long-awaited Hillsborough law,  which officially entered Parliament in September 2025.

The Bill has already had its second reading and is now at the Committee Stage, where MPs will scrutinise and refine it before it moves forward and will likely become a law.

What is the Hillsborough Law?

The Hillsborough Law was born out of the fight for justice following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 97 football fans tragically lost their lives in Sheffield. For decades, families battled misinformation and cover-ups by public authorities. It took 27 years for an inquest to rule that the victims were unlawfully killed—and that fans were not to blame.

During the Inquest, families had to fund their own legal representation, while public bodies had access to taxpayer-funded lawyers. The Home Office eventually stepped in, but there’s no guarantee that would happen again in future disasters.

The Hillsborough Law aims to change that.

Key Areas of the Hillsborough Law

1. Duty of Candour

Public bodies will have a legal obligation to act honestly and cooperate fully with inquests, and inquiries following public disasters. This will require public authorities, public servants, and corporations to proactively assist during investigations, honestly and truthfully, with a full disclosure of evidence without misleading the public.

This covers a broad range of public authorities, including NHS bodies, schools, the police and local authorities, and those working within them (such as agency workers).

Failure to comply could lead to criminal sanctions. This will help prevent institutional cover-ups after public tragedies.

2. Fair Legal Representation for Families

Families attending inquests after major incidents will have access to non-means-tested legal aid, ensuring they can instruct lawyers at the same level as public authorities. This levels the playing field and prevents state bodies from avoiding scrutiny.

Currently, legal aid is available for a limited number of civil litigation matters, such as a small number of inquests at Coroners courts, however it can be very difficult for families to access legal aid.

Public authorities on the other hand, have access to public money to defend themselves during these inquests. The Hillsborough Law is set to provide families with fair representation during inquests into major incidents.  

How Will the Hillsborough Law Help Families?

The Hillsborough Law is likely to  make legal aid available for families involved in inquests into public disasters—without the need for complex applications or exceptional case funding.

This is a huge step forward in addressing inequality. As Jenna Kisala, Senior Solicitor at Howells Solicitors, explains “The Hillsborough Law is a game-changer for the victims’ families of a public tragedy. Families will no longer have to fight for exceptional funding just to be heard. They’ll have access to proper legal representation, even if they’re not pursuing a civil claim. It’s about fairness and transparency.”

Jenna adds: “For years, public bodies have had access to solicitors and legal professionals, while grieving families were left to fend for themselves. The Hillsborough Law will finally give families the support they deserve.”

However, there are still questions about whether funding will cover preparation work or just representation at the inquest itself. Either way, it’s a major improvement.

What Happens Next?

The Bill is still making its way through Parliament, so it’s not law yet—but it’s moving forward. Once passed, it will transform how families access justice after public tragedies.

If you would like to discuss representation at an inquest or legal aid funding for any medical negligence or inquest matter, contact us to discuss your situation for free.