Garden Court North stands in solidarity with Hillsborough victims and families on 37th anniversary
15 April 2026
The Hillsborough Memorial outside Anfield Stadium, Liverpool. Credit: Alex Blair / Garden Court North Chambers.
On the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, Garden Court North Chambers expresses support and solidarity for the bereaved families of the 97 Liverpool FC fans who were unlawfully killed in 1989.
A minute’s silence will be observed across Liverpool today (15 April, 2026) at 3:06pm, the exact time at which the fateful FA Cup semi-final in 1989 was stopped. A bell will toll 97 times in tribute to each victim, followed by an instrumental version of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
Garden Court North’s Pete Weatherby KC remains engaged in the legislative process to pass a fully empowered Hillsborough Law, or Public (Office) Accountability Bill, which would impose a Duty of Candour, Duty to Assist, and Legal Funding for Bereaved Families in public inquiries and inquests, preventing future cover-ups in the aftermath of state-related disasters.
Hillsborough Law Now
Pete co-wrote Hillsborough Law and is Director of Hillsborough Law Now. As part of Garden Court North’s inquests and public inquiries team, Pete has represented many bereaved families at public inquiries following state disasters, including Hillsborough, Grenfell Tower, Covid-19, the Manchester Arena bombing, and many more.
Campaigners across these justice groups have been unanimous in calling for Hillsborough Law, as detailed by the Centre for People’s Justice’s exhibition displayed at Anfield Stadium last week.
Hillsborough Law’s provision of a legal Duty of Candour would circumvent institutional denial and defensiveness, fostering shorter, cheaper and more efficient inquiries.
In 2022, Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly promised to re-introduce Hillsborough Law to Parliament before last year’s anniversary (15 April 2025).
In tribute to the 97 Hillsborough victims, a period of silence was also observed before Liverpool FC’s match against Paris Saint-Germain last night (14 April).
Writing in his programme notes prior to the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot added his voice to calls for Hillsborough Law.
Slot said: “While almost four decades have passed since the tragedy occurred, the players and myself are fully aware that so many people — bereaved families, survivors, Liverpool supporters in general and many others besides — continue to be affected by the terrible events of that day.”
“Since becoming head coach, I have been able to hear some of their stories and the passage of time does not make them any less moving. I have also been told about the campaign for a Hillsborough Law, and having listened to the reasons and knowing the story behind them, it surprises me that this is still to be introduced.”
“Tonight, we will remember the 97 and pay tribute to them, but it is clear that the best way for the country to honour them after all this time would be to introduce the law that the Hillsborough families and fellow campaigners are asking for.”
Additional media
Liverpool FC – Liverpool FC pays respects on 37th anniversary of Hillsborough tragedy
BBC News – ‘It’s painful to still be arguing over Hillsborough Law 37 years on’
ITV News – Liverpool boss Arne Slot ‘surprised’ Hillsborough Law not yet introduced ahead of 37th anniversary
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
