Campaign for Gabe’s Law prompts call for evidence in multi-storey car park safety regulations
9 November 2026
Natasha Perry (left) and Johnny Santer (right) are leading the campaign for Gabe’s Law, after both lost sons who fell from multi-storey car parks. Credit: Colin Lane / Liverpool ECHO.
The Government’s Building Safety Regulator has launched a call for evidence relating to protection from falling, collision and impact and around buildings, prompted by the campaign for ‘Gabe’s Law’, named after 15-year-old Gabriel Santer who tragically fell to his death in 2020 at a different multi-storey car park in Liverpool.
Amid numerous other deaths under similar circumstances, Gabe’s father Johnny Santer began the campaign to raise the existing legal minimum height of safety barriers on the top levels of multi-storey car parks from 1.1 metres to 2.7 metres.
One of such cases was the tragic death of 21-year-old Josh Perry, whose mother Natasha Perry was represented by Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver during his inquest, after Johnny introduced the pair. Natasha and Johnny have been united in campaigning for Gabe’s Law, which would have prevented the death of both of their sons.
Gabe’s Law recently received support from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who, when asked by the Liverpool ECHO’s Liam Thorp whether he would support the campaign, said that he is “very much looking at it” and signposted the call for evidence. The ECHO also officially announced its support of the campaign for Gabe’s Law.
Ten weeks to share evidence and experience
In the Prevention of Future Deaths Report issued by the Coroner following Josh’s inquest, Part K of the building safety regulations was identified as a key area to remedy. This is directly addressed by the Building Safety Regulator’s call for evidence.
As of 19 October 2026, the Regulator formally opened its call for ‘professionals, organisations, researchers, building owners, occupants and members of the public to share their views, experiences and evidence’ on Part K.
The call for evidence will last for ten weeks, and responses can be submitted here.
Relatedly, the House of Commons Justice Committee convened last week to examine learning from inquests and the case for a National Oversight Mechanism during a one-off evidence session in Parliament.
Johnny gave evidence on his own experience without legal representation at Gabe’s inquest, describing the difference in the coronial process with Christian’s representation versus without it as “worlds apart”.
Gabe’s Law, or the Multi-Storey Car Parks (Safety) Bill, was first introduced in 2023 by Maria Eagle, MP for Johnny Santer’s constituency of Liverpool Garston. Ms Eagle pointed to at least 17 deaths caused by falls from multi-storey car parks in England throughout 2022, with at least ten deaths in Liverpool City Centre alone since 2020.
However, this figure is by no means exhaustive given the lack of official data. At least 22 preventable deaths arising from multi-storey car park falls have been identified by The Preventable Deaths Tracker since 2013. The Gabe’s Law campaign continues to seek more comprehensive data, hopefully aided by the call for evidence.
Christian represented Josh’s family during the inquest, instructed by Elaine McDonald of Broudie Jackson Canter.
Christian is willing to be contacted by any other barristers or solicitors seeking advice on representing families during inquests into deaths with similar circumstances. For any case involving falls from multi-storey buildings, he advises lawyers and families to consider BS 6180:2011 prior to the inquest – a document that may contain important information relevant to the circumstances of the death. For anyone who cannot access this document due to its paywall, many libraries will be able to provide access.
Additional media
GOV UK – Have your say on the future of Part K of the building regulations
The Times – A ‘dangerous’ car park cost Josh his life. Now families want the law changed
Liverpool Echo – A simple change could save lives in Liverpool and across the country – the ECHO is joining the call for action
Garden Court North Chambers – Inquest into the death of Josh Perry bolsters calls for Gabe’s Law to prevent future car park deaths
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
