The Inquiry team

Sir Christopher Holland
Inquiry Chair

Sir Christopher Holland was appointed as the Chairman of the Inquiry by the Secretary of State for Justice on 10 June 2010. He became a Recorder on the North Eastern Circuit in April 1992 and a Justice of the High Court, assigned to the Queen's Bench Division in September 1992. Sir Christopher retired as a High Court Judge on 23 November 2007.

Ashley Underwood QC
Counsel to the Inquiry

Ashley Underwood was called to the Bar in 1976 and took silk in 2001. Ashley has a background in human rights and public law. He has considerable inquiry experience and is a founder of the website publicinquiries.org.

Michael Collins
Secretary to the Inquiry

Michael Collins is a career Civil Servant currently on secondment to this Inquiry from the Ministry of Justice. He has a background in policy development and operational posts within the justice system (most recently legal aid policy in Very High Cost Cases). He has also worked in judicial appointments (project managed the development of a pilot assessment centre for the appointment of the judiciary), human resources, learning and development and project management.

Judi Kemish
Solicitor and Junior Counsel to the Inquiry

Judi Kemish qualified as a solicitor in 1995. She is seconded to the Inquiry from the Criminal Appeal Office, Royal Courts of Justice and has a background in criminal and civil litigation, adminstrative law, inquests, mental health and prison law. She is an accredited mediator and was the Solicitor and Secretary to the Robert Hamill Inquiry. Judi can be contacted on 0207 430 0221 or 0207 404 6113.

Nick Scott
Legal Officer to Inquiry Counsel

Nick is training for the bar. He was Legal Officer to Inquiry Counsel for the Robert Hamill Inquiry, dealing with evidential matters and issues relating to Article 2, anonymity, privacy, PII and disclosure. He is a contributing editor to the website publicinquiries.org.

Nigel Fleeman
Legal Officer

Nigel holds LLB, BA and MA degrees and has accrued a wealth of experience in the private and, at HM Treasury, in the public sector.  He has latterly served on and advised Public Inquiries.

Fola Shodeinde
Administrative Support to the Inquiry

Fola Shodeinde started her Civil Service career at the Principal Registry of the Family Division and is currently on secondment to this Inquiry from the Ministry of Justice.

Timothy Collins
Legal Officer

Tim was awarded a 2.1 honours degree in Criminology from the University of Kent and has gained Content Management Systems experience with a leading industry specialist.