Truth and Power: Can Hillsborough Law Redefine UK Justice?
Garden Court North’s Pete Weatherby KC will be speaking at the ‘Truth and Power: Can Hillsborough Law Redefine UK Justice?’ at the University of Liverpool’s Centre for People’s Justice on 23 October 2025.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, or ‘Hillsborough Law’, is a watershed moment in a long march for accountability, candour and justice by the bereaved families since the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, which saw 97 Liverpool FC fans unlawfully killed. Could this landmark legislation finally end the cover-ups, lies, and destruction of evidence that have scarred relations between the UK state and its citizens?
Pete, who penned this op-ed on the news that Hillsborough Law will be introduced to Parliament, will attempt to answer the above question, outlining the provisions of the Bill he co-wrote.
Pete will be joined by leading academics, advocates, and Mirror journalist and campaigner Susie Boniface to explore the Bill’s historic magnitude, constitutional significance, and its social justice promise.
Book your free tickets here.
Full itinerary
5.30-5.35: Welcome and Introductions
5.35-6.35: The Public Office (Accountability) Bill – What it Says and What it Means for People and Communities (15 minutes each)
- Elkan Abrahamson, Solicitor, Brodie Jackson Canter – involvement of the community/Hillsborough Law Now
- Pete Weatherby KC, Garden Court North Chambers – does the bill deliver on what is needed?
- Prof Lydia Hayes – Engaging the Public in crafting the Hillsborough Law
6.35-7.00: Response from the field of research (approx. 5 minutes each)
- Susie Boniface – relevance to other justice campaigns (nuclear veterans)
- Dr. Sally Day, Post Doctoral criminology researcher, Exeter University
- Kate Dewsnip – the potential impact of the bill on inquests and inquiries
- Prof Mike Gordon – the new bill in the context of wider accountability reforms
7.00-7.30: Panel Discussion and Q&A (Chaired by Susie Boniface)
When: 23 Oct 2025
Where: University of Liverpool, Central Teaching Hub Lecture Theatre B, Liverpool, L69 7ZF
Start time: 17:30
End time: 19:30