Lexology Post Key Takeaways from the New ‘Hillsborough Law’ Bill
The ‘Hillsborough Law’ Bill, officially the Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2025, seeks to “place a legal duty of candour on public servants and authorities and provide legal aid for victims of disasters or state related deaths“. The proposed legislation will apply to a broad range of public authorities (including NHS bodies, schools, the police and local authorities) and those working within them (including agency workers).
The Bill proposes five key changes relating to the following:
- Duty of candour and assistance in relation to inquiries and inquests
- Duty to promote ethical conduct
- Misleading the public
- Misconduct in public office offences
- Parity at inquiries and inquests (including legal aid expansion for inquests)
The Bill now goes through Parliament but, Lexology say it “is likely to be some way off becoming law”. The Bill will undergo various stages of scrutiny in the House of Commons and the the House of Lords, potentially being subject to amendments throughout this process. The Bill is currently in its second reading in the House of Commons.
Read the full article below.
Source: The New ‘Hillsborough Law’ Bill – Key Takeaways – Lexology
Read the Bill here; Public Office (Accountability) Bill – Parliamentary Bills – UK Parliament
