The Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Hillsborough Law): promoting candour, transparency and accountability
Corporate Crime analysis: The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the ‘Hillsborough Law’ Bill, was introduced to the House of Commons on 26 September 2025, and contains proposed changes to the law in relation to statutory and non-statutory inquiries and coronial inquests. It aims to ensure transparency, candour and accountability from public authorities, officials and those providing services to them. Christopher Adams, barrister at Henderson Chambers, explains the proposed duty of candour, the new criminal offences for failing to comply and for misleading the public and abolition of the common law offence of misconduct in public offence, as well as the proposed expansion of legal aid for bereaved families at inquests.