Protocol

1. The Inquiry

This is an independent and impartial Inquiry. It has been established by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), which has given the Inquiry its terms of reference. The Inquiry Panel, Inquiry Secretary and Inquiry Solicitors are independent of the MPA, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and all other organisations and individuals who are likely to wish to contribute to the Inquiry process.

2. The Inquiry panel

Sir Bill Morris is the Chairman. He sits with Sir Anthony Burden and Anesta Weekes QC.

3. The status of the Inquiry

The Inquiry has been established by the MPA in accordance with its powers under the Police Act 1996, the Local Government Act 1972, the Greater London Authority Act 1999 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The Inquiry does not have the power to compel individuals to attend before it or to compel the production of documents. The Inquiry is therefore grateful for the encouragement given by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police that interested officers and staff should take the opportunity of contributing to the Inquiry to enable it to complete its investigation.

4. The Inquiry's terms of reference

The Inquiry's terms of reference are publicly available on the Inquiry's website.

5. The administration of the Inquiry

The Panel's Secretary, Ms Amanda Kelly, is responsible for the administration of the Inquiry. All formal contact with the Inquiry should be through her. Correspondence should be addressed to:

The Secretary
The Morris Inquiry
50 Broadway
London SW1H 0RG

The Secretary can also be contacted by email on secretarytoinquiry@regusnet.com
Telephone: 020 7152 4522/4523
Fax: 020 7152 4330

6. Legal support to the Inquiry

The Inquiry has appointed Clifford Chance (ref: MLS/MTS) as solicitors to the Inquiry. Counsel has not been retained.

7. Nature of the Inquiry

The Inquiry is not adversarial in nature. It is not a form of trial or disciplinary process. The Inquiry will not make findings regarding the actions of individual police officers or staff members. However, the Inquiry will reach conclusions and will make recommendations within its terms of reference.

8. Representation before the Inquiry

The Panel wishes to ensure that its procedures are flexible and informal and it does not consider that interested parties should generally require to be represented, whether by lawyers or otherwise. Anyone who retains a representative should notify the Secretary as soon as possible. The Panel has no power to meet the costs of representation.

9. The Inquiry’s procedures

The Panel is responsible for all procedural matters affecting the work of the Inquiry. The Inquiry will act independently at all times and in a fair and impartial way. Those who appear before the Inquiry will be given information about procedural matters in advance of their appearance. Questions to individuals who appear before the Inquiry will be put by a member of the Panel and not by the Inquiry's solicitors. The Inquiry will ensure that all witnesses have an opportunity to address the Inquiry on relevant matters which concern them. No other individuals will be permitted to put questions to those appearing before the Inquiry.

10. Evidence and submissions to the Inquiry

The Panel wishes to emphasise that it is anxious to hear from all those who believe that they can assist the Inquiry's work. The Secretary will outline in writing the issues that the Inquiry would like addressed and interested organisations, groups and individuals will initially be invited to make written submissions. Anyone (i.e. not just those who receive invitations from the Secretary) who has relevant information which falls within the Inquiry's terms of reference can submit documents and/or submissions to the Inquiry. The Panel will then consider the written submissions that it receives and identify those organisations, groups and individuals from whom it would wish to hear oral evidence.

The inquiry’s hearings will normally be held in public. The dates, times and locations of public hearings will be announced in advance on the Inquiry’s website. Individuals called to a hearing will generally be given at least 7 days' notice. No one will be invited to give oral evidence unless they have submitted a written submission in advance. Transcripts will be made of all oral evidence. Transcripts of public hearings will be made available on the website and will generally be published as soon as possible after public hearings. Other documents will be published if and when directed by the Panel.

11. Confidentiality and publication

Submissions, transcripts and relevant documents will normally be published on the Inquiry website. However, the Panel may exercise its discretion not to make material publicly available. This could happen when, for example:

material may, in the Panel’s view, prejudice or give rise to legal proceedings, which may be subject to a claim to public interest immunity;
publication may risk the disclosure of confidential or sensitive information;
consent to disclosure has not been given by affected parties.

12. The Inquiry’s hearings

Hearings will normally be held in public. There may however be occasions when, in order to facilitate its work and because fairness or other legal considerations demand it, the Panel will exercise its discretion to sit in private. The Panel will ask questions of those appearing before it. Witnesses will be offered an opportunity, generally at the end of their evidence, to make a brief statement.

13. Criticisms made by the Inquiry

As the Inquiry proceeds, the Panel may consider that a party may potentially be subject to criticism in the Inquiry's report. Where the Panel is of that opinion, it will offer that party an opportunity to respond to the potential criticism in advance of publication of the report. The fact that the Inquiry invites an individual to a public hearing is not to be regarded as any indication that that individual will be the subject of criticism.

14. The Inquiry’s report

The Inquiry's report will be delivered to the MPA as the body that has established the Inquiry. The report will be published at the same time.

15. The Inquiry’s website

The Inquiry’s website will contain all the information needed to follow the Inquiry's work, e.g. the Inquiry's terms of reference, transcripts, evidence, documents and information about sitting dates.

16. Media coverage of the Inquiry

The Inquiry will operate in as open, accessible and inclusive a way as possible. The media and general public are welcome to attend all public hearings although, if numbers are large, attendance may need to be arranged by ticket. The Panel will not be available for interview while the Inquiry is in progress. Broadcasting of the Inquiry's launch will be permitted as will the use of still photographs, but, in order to ensure fairness for those appearing before it, the Panel does not envisage that it will permit the broadcasting of public hearings.

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	Archive note Important note: This is an archive of the website that was formerly at www.morrisinquiry.gov.uk. It is being hosted on the MPA website for archival purposes only and may contain out-of-date information. Page summary This resource from the About section of the Morris Inquiry website introduces the protocol, which indicates how the Inquiry will conduct its business. Sections available here: Protocol 1. The Inquiry 2. The Inquiry panel 3. The status of the Inquiry 4. The Inquiry's terms of reference 5. The administration of the Inquiry 6. Legal support to the Inquiry 7. Nature of the Inquiry 8. Representation before the Inquiry 9. The Inquiry’s procedures 10. Evidence and submissions to the Inquiry 11. Confidentiality and publication 12. The Inquiry’s hearings 13. Criticisms made by the Inquiry 14. The Inquiry’s report 15. The Inquiry’s website 16. Media coverage of the Inquiry Content Protocol 1. The Inquiry This is an independent and impartial Inquiry. It has been established by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), which has given the Inquiry its terms of reference. The Inquiry Panel, Inquiry Secretary and Inquiry Solicitors are independent of the MPA, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and all other organisations and individuals who are likely to wish to contribute to the Inquiry process. 2. The Inquiry panel Sir Bill Morris is the Chairman. He sits with Sir Anthony Burden and Anesta Weekes QC. 3. The status of the Inquiry The Inquiry has been established by the MPA in accordance with its powers under the Police Act 1996, the Local Government Act 1972, the Greater London Authority Act 1999 and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The Inquiry does not have the power to compel individuals to attend before it or to compel the production of documents. The Inquiry is therefore grateful for the encouragement given by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police that interested officers and staff should take the opportunity of contributing to the Inquiry to enable it to complete its investigation. 4. The Inquiry's terms of reference The Inquiry's terms of reference are publicly available on the Inquiry's website. 5. The administration of the Inquiry The Panel's Secretary, Ms Amanda Kelly, is responsible for the administration of the Inquiry. All formal contact with the Inquiry should be through her. Correspondence should be addressed to: The Secretary The Morris Inquiry 50 Broadway London SW1H 0RG The Secretary can also be contacted by email on secretarytoinquiry@regusnet.com Telephone: 020 7152 4522/4523 Fax: 020 7152 4330 6. Legal support to the Inquiry The Inquiry has appointed Clifford Chance (ref: MLS/MTS) as solicitors to the Inquiry. Counsel has not been retained. 7. Nature of the Inquiry The Inquiry is not adversarial in nature. It is not a form of trial or disciplinary process. The Inquiry will not make findings regarding the actions of individual police officers or staff members. However, the Inquiry will reach conclusions and will make recommendations within its terms of reference. 8. Representation before the Inquiry The Panel wishes to ensure that its procedures are flexible and informal and it does not consider that interested parties should generally require to be represented, whether by lawyers or otherwise. Anyone who retains a representative should notify the Secretary as soon as possible. The Panel has no power to meet the costs of representation. 9. The Inquiry’s procedures The Panel is responsible for all procedural matters affecting the work of the Inquiry. The Inquiry will act independently at all times and in a fair and impartial way. Those who appear before the Inquiry will be given information about procedural matters in advance of their appearance. Questions to individuals who appear before the Inquiry will be put by a member of the Panel and not by the Inquiry's solicitors. The Inquiry will ensure that all witnesses have an opportunity to address the Inquiry on relevant matters which concern them. No other individuals will be permitted to put questions to those appearing before the Inquiry. 10. Evidence and submissions to the Inquiry The Panel wishes to emphasise that it is anxious to hear from all those who believe that they can assist the Inquiry's work. The Secretary will outline in writing the issues that the Inquiry would like addressed and interested organisations, groups and individuals will initially be invited to make written submissions. Anyone (i.e. not just those who receive invitations from the Secretary) who has relevant information which falls within the Inquiry's terms of reference can submit documents and/or submissions to the Inquiry. The Panel will then consider the written submissions that it receives and identify those organisations, groups and individuals from whom it would wish to hear oral evidence. The inquiry’s hearings will normally be held in public. The dates, times and locations of public hearings will be announced in advance on the Inquiry’s website. Individuals called to a hearing will generally be given at least 7 days' notice. No one will be invited to give oral evidence unless they have submitted a written submission in advance. Transcripts will be made of all oral evidence. Transcripts of public hearings will be made available on the website and will generally be published as soon as possible after public hearings. Other documents will be published if and when directed by the Panel. 11. Confidentiality and publication Submissions, transcripts and relevant documents will normally be published on the Inquiry website. However, the Panel may exercise its discretion not to make material publicly available. This could happen when, for example: material may, in the Panel’s view, prejudice or give rise to legal proceedings, which may be subject to a claim to public interest immunity; publication may risk the disclosure of confidential or sensitive information; consent to disclosure has not been given by affected parties. 12. The Inquiry’s hearings Hearings will normally be held in public. There may however be occasions when, in order to facilitate its work and because fairness or other legal considerations demand it, the Panel will exercise its discretion to sit in private. The Panel will ask questions of those appearing before it. Witnesses will be offered an opportunity, generally at the end of their evidence, to make a brief statement. 13. Criticisms made by the Inquiry As the Inquiry proceeds, the Panel may consider that a party may potentially be subject to criticism in the Inquiry's report. Where the Panel is of that opinion, it will offer that party an opportunity to respond to the potential criticism in advance of publication of the report. The fact that the Inquiry invites an individual to a public hearing is not to be regarded as any indication that that individual will be the subject of criticism. 14. The Inquiry’s report The Inquiry's report will be delivered to the MPA as the body that has established the Inquiry. The report will be published at the same time. 15. The Inquiry’s website The Inquiry’s website will contain all the information needed to follow the Inquiry's work, e.g. the Inquiry's terms of reference, transcripts, evidence, documents and information about sitting dates. 16. Media coverage of the Inquiry The Inquiry will operate in as open, accessible and inclusive a way as possible. The media and general public are welcome to attend all public hearings although, if numbers are large, attendance may need to be arranged by ticket. The Panel will not be available for interview while the Inquiry is in progress. Broadcasting of the Inquiry's launch will be permitted as will the use of still photographs, but, in order to ensure fairness for those appearing before it, the Panel does not envisage that it will permit the broadcasting of public hearings. Internal links In this section: Terms of reference The Inquiry's terms of reference and commissioning brief introduce the aims and role of the Inquiry. Protocol The protocol indicates how the Inquiry will conduct its business. Confidentiality & anonymity Information about submitting evidence to the Inquiry where it is wished that the evidence remains confidential and/or anonymous. How to contribute to the Inquiry This section contains details of how to submit written evidence to the Inquiry. Biographies Biographies of the Inquiry panel members. Translations Details about how to get hold of information in languages other than English. The Inquiry Team A photograph of the Morris Inquiry Team. The Inquiry room A photograph of the room where hearings take place.

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