Omagh Bombing Inquiry: Chair’s Ruling on use of Special Advocates in the Inquiry  

Today the Chairman of Omagh Bombing Inquiry, Rt Hon Lord Turnbull, has issued his ruling on whether a Special Advocate can be permitted to participate in proceedings conducted under the Inquiries Act 2005, and, if so, whether one or more ought to be appointed to assist the family and survivor Core Participants in this Inquiry.  

The full ruling is published on the Inquiry’s website available here.

The Inquiry has also produced a summary of this ruling which is available here.

Please note that the summary has been prepared only to assist in understanding the Chairman’s decision and that it does not form part of the reasons for the decision. The full ruling is the only authoritative document. 

Submissions from all Core Participants regarding Special Advocates were invited and oral submissions were heard before the Chairman on the 21 and 22 July. The transcript and video recording of those hearings are available on the Inquiry’s website here. Hearings – Omagh Bombing Inquiry