Garden Court North stands in solidarity with the victims and bereaved families of Heaton Park synagogue attack on anniversary

2 October 2026

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner addresses the memorial for Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz. Credit: Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

On the anniversary of the fatal terrorist attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, Garden Court North Chambers expresses support and solidarity for the victims and bereaved families.

One year ago, on 2 October 2025, Mr Adrian Daulby and Mr Melvin Cravitz were tragically killed as they tried to protect fellow congregants celebrating Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

Melvin Cravitz, 66, was stabbed to death by the attacker, before Adrian Daulby, 53, was fatally wounded by a bullet fired by armed police attending the scene as he held the synagogue doors shut.

On 31 August, approximately 800 people attended a powerful memorial event for the victims and survivors of the attack, at which relatives of the bereaved, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner spoke.

Chief Coroner calls for public inquiry into Heaton Park synagogue attack

Garden Court North’s Anna Morris KC is representing the family of Adrian Daulby at the inquest into his death.

Following the pre-inquest review hearing on 3 September 2026, the Chief Coroner wrote to the SSHD to ask the Government to hold a public inquiry. Unlike inquests, inquiries are able to hold closed hearings touching on sensitive material.

At the hearing, Anna emphasised that the Daulby family must be kept at the heart of the process. Focus must not be lost on how Adrian died, or for his death to be subject to anything less than the most rigorous scrutiny.

Anna is instructed by Leanne Devine and Stephanie Hill of Leigh Day Solicitors.

Additional media

BBC News – Hundreds remember synagogue attack victims

BBC News – Chief coroner calls for inquiry into Manchester synagogue attack

Garden Court North Chambers – Pre-inquest review hearing begins into Manchester synagogue attack

The Guardian – Manchester synagogue attack: ministers seek to block MI5 files from inquest

For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk