Inquest into the death of Josh Perry bolsters calls for Gabe’s Law to prevent future car park deaths
6 May 2026
Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver represented Josh Perry’s family during the inquest at Liverpool and Wirral Coroner’s Court (pictured). Credit: Liverpool & Wirral Coroner Area.
An inquest into the tragic death of Josh Perry has concluded that he died as a consequence of falling from the nineteenth floor of a multi-storey car park in Liverpool, bolstering calls for the introduction of ‘Gabe’s Law’ to increase the minimum height of car park barriers.
Such legislation would have prevented the death of her 21-year-old son Josh, according to Natasha Perry, who Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver represented during the inquest.
Natasha was introduced to Christian by Johnny Santer, the father of 15-year-old Gabriel Santer who tragically fell to his death in 2020 at a different multi-storey car park in Liverpool. Natasha and Johnny are united in their support for Gabe’s Law, campaigning 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.
A risk of future deaths “unless action is taken”
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, ‘The two parents have found strength through each other’s shared experience. Following Johnny’s advice, Natasha was represented by eminent human rights barrier Christian Weaver at Josh’s inquest, who managed to get her a verdict she was satisfied with and the Prevention of Future Deaths Report. “Without Johnny and Christian we wouldn’t have got the verdict we wanted,” she explained.’
Coroner Helen Rimmer noted various concerns in her Prevention of Future Deaths Report, including major contradictions between existing building regulations regarding the minimum height of car park barriers.
“In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken”, states the report, which Coroner Rimmer sent to Samantha Dixon MBE MP, the Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fire and Construction Regulations.
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, but this figure could be higher amid a lack of official data.
Gabe’s Law had been due to move forward but its future was unclear after the general election in 2024. When Peter Dowd MP reintroduced the Bill in June 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised the Government would look at the contents of the bill and issue a call for evidence.
Christian Weaver represented Josh’s family, instructed by Elaine McDonald of Broudie Jackson Canter.
Following the conclusion of Josh’s inquest, Elaine said: “Josh’s sudden death left my clients desperately seeking answers about how he could have been allowed to fall from the 19th floor of a multi-storey car park. The railing protection is insufficient and the fact that there was a further fall from the same building after Josh’s death further highlights the concern. Action needs to be taken to prevent further deaths or serious injury and we are pleased that the Coroner has issued a PFD report to ensure that there is further consideration of the problem.”
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
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary – Joshua Perry: Prevention of future deaths report
Liverpool Echo – Our sons should never have died. This needs to change now
BBC News – Law change ‘step closer’ after teen’s fall death
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
