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Next stages

Public Inquiry (The Infected Blood Inquiry)

After many years of campaigning by the victims of the Contaminated Blood Scandal, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, announced the Infected Blood Inquiry on 11th July 2017. While the inquiry was originally sponsored by the Department of Health, it was transferred to the Cabinet Office on 3rd November 2017. A statement from the Prime Minister followed on 21st December 2017 announcing that the forthcoming inquiry would be a statutory, Judge-led public inquiry. Mr Justice Langstaff was announced as Chair to the inquiry on 8th February 2018, and he started work as the Chair on 1st May 2018.

Mr Justice Langstaff opened a consultation with victims of the contaminated blood scandal in order to set the 'terms of reference' of the inquiry. This consultation lasted until 26th April 2018. The terms of reference are the initial step in identifying how wide the inquiry will be.

The first public hearings commenced on 29th April 2019. The inquiry reopened on 22nd September 2020 following a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Anyone affected by the issues covered by the Infected Blood Inquiry, whether victims or relatives of victims, has the right to be represented. Contact Collins Solicitors on 01923 223 324 and ask for our Contaminated Blood Team, or email us at contaminatedblood@collinslaw.co.uk

High Court Group Litigation Order (GLO)

Collins Solicitors applied for the Contaminated Blood Products Group Litigation Order on behalf of its clients on 4th July 2017 and this was approved on 27th October 2017. The court also ordered the Department of Health to disclose documents relating to previous litigation related to the Contaminated Blood Scandal.

Following the setting up of the Infected Blood Inquiry the Group Action has, for a time, been put on hold.

The Court has ordered that all new claimants must join the Contaminated Blood Products Group Litigation and be on the register by 31st March 2024. If you are a victim of the Contaminated Blood Scandal, or have been, or would have been financially dependent on a victim, please call Collins Solicitors on 01923 223 324 and ask to speak to the Contaminated Blood Team or email us through this link contaminatedblood@collinslaw.co.uk

Links for further information