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Thirlwall Inquiry

Ongoing
Chair Lady Justice Thirlwall Judge / Judiciary
Established 12 Feb 2024
Commissioned by Department of Health and Social Care

Inquiry into events at the Countess of Chester Hospital following the conviction of nurse Lucy Letby for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others. Public hearings commenced September 2023, concluded March 2025. Final report expected after Easter 2026 (delayed from November 2025 target).

2 years, 1 month Duration (ongoing)
£17.3m Total Cost
Inquiry Website Terms of Reference
1 question 2 statements since Oct 2023
Written Question Thirlwall Inquiry: Finance
Samantha Dixon (Labour)
20 May 2024
Written Ministerial Statement Thirlwall Inquiry update
Lord Markham (Conservative)
19 Oct 2023
Written Ministerial Statement Thirlwall Inquiry update
Steve Barclay (Conservative)
19 Oct 2023
All Activity (3)
19 Oct 2023
Inquiry Announced

Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced a statutory inquiry following Lucy Letby's conviction.

19 Oct 2023
Chair Appointed

Lady Justice Thirlwall appointed as Chair of the Inquiry.

22 Feb 2024
Terms of Reference Published

Terms of Reference set to examine events at Countess of Chester Hospital.

Source
16 Sep 2024
Oral Evidence Hearings Begin

Public hearings commenced at Liverpool Town Hall.

Source
17 Jan 2025
Oral Evidence Concluded

Oral evidence phase completed.

17 Mar 2025
Closing Submissions

Closing submissions hearings held 17-19 March 2025.

01 Apr 2026
Report Expected After Easter 2026

Final report publication scheduled for after Easter 2026.

Source
Total Inquiry Cost (Cumulative) £17,277,000
to Sep 2025 Cumulative expenditure Sep 2023 - Sep 2025
Cost Breakdown (to Sep 2025)
Inquiry Legal Costs £8,599,000 Panel remuneration & Counsel to the Inquiry
Core Participant Legal Costs £3,107,000 Legal funding for core participants
Staff £2,111,000
Accommodation £255,000
Technology £1,085,000
Other £2,121,000
Statutory inquiry into events at the Countess of Chester Hospital following conviction of Lucy Letby. Established 19 Oct 2023. Chaired by Lady Justice Thirlwall. Funded by DHSC. Hearings Sep 2024 - Jan 2025. Report expected after Easter 2026. Inquiry Legal = Counsel + Solicitor/paralegals + Experts. CP Legal = Family legal fees + non-CP legal assisting. Staff = Secretariat + Chair. Hearings = venue + AV + other. Technology = IT + Media + Office accommodation. Other = Emotional support + Publication + Admin/travel. All figures rounded to nearest £000, exclude VAT.
Cost History
Period Total Inquiry Legal CP Legal Source
Sep 2025 £1,345,000 £503,000 £2,000
Sep 2025 (cum.) £17,277,000 £8,599,000 £3,107,000
Mar 2025 £13,098,000 £5,956,000 £2,889,000
Mar 2024 £2,834,000 £2,140,000 £216,000