Select an area of expertise to find out more about our experience.
Find out more about our barristers and business support teams here.
Select an area of expertise to find out more about our experience.
Find out more about our barristers and business support teams here.
Recognised as a leading junior, Bilal Rawat’s practice encompasses public law, inquests and inquiries, national security, police law and personal injury.
Bilal acts for government departments, police forces, local authorities and private companies. Praised for his “meticulous” preparation and ability to deal sensitively with difficult issues, Bilal is often instructed in complex cases which require careful handling and have reputational impact. His advocacy has been commended as “assured, nuanced and well judged”.
Recent notable cases include:
Prior to taking silk, Bilal was a member of the Attorney General’s A Panel. He remains on the Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates.
Recognised by the directories as a leading junior in this area, Bilal has over two decades experience in public inquiry work having acted both as counsel to the inquiry and on behalf of core participants. His recent work in this area includes the Grenfell Tower Inquiry where Bilal led a team with primary responsibility for the evidence of survivors of the fire, the bereaved and local residents. Bilal was lead counsel to the British Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry undertaken by Sir Gary Hickinbottom. Currently, he is acting in the Covid-19 Inquiry on behalf of both the UK Health Security Agency and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
Covid-19 Inquiry [2022-present]
Leading team of counsel representing UK Health Security Agency. Separately representing the Office of the Chief Medical Officer including Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Professor Jonathan Van Tam and Professor Dame Jenny Harries.
BVI Commission of Inquiry [2021-2022]
Leading counsel to the Commission of Inquiry undertaken by Sir Gary Hickinbottom investigating corruption amongst public officials in the British Virgin Islands.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry [2018-2024]
First Junior counsel to the Inquiry.
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse [2017]
representing a core participant in the Child Migration case study.
Al Sweady Inquiry [2013]
Public inquiry into allegations of unlawful killing and the ill treatment of Iraqi detainees. Represented a number of ‘whistleblowing’ soldiers.
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry: [2000-2010]
Junior counsel to the Inquiry into the events of “Bloody Sunday” in Northern Ireland in 1972
Long ranked as a leading specialist for inquests, Bilal acts for bereaved families, police forces, government bodies and private and public companies. He also accepts instructions on behalf of NHS trusts and private healthcare providers.
Bilal has been instructed in complex and sensitive Article 2 inquests arising from deaths in police and prison custody, and the deaths of vulnerable adults and children under local authority care. He often deals with document-heavy cases where issues of public interest immunity, national security arise or the failings of state or quasi-state bodies are under investigation. His work in this area overlaps with his experience in non-Article 2 inquests concerning issues of health and safety and medical malpractice. Bilal also deals with the civil claims that can follow from an inquest. He is currently instructed into a number of such claims arising from the Fishmongers’ Hall terror attack.
Inquests into the deaths arising in the Forbury Gardens Terrorist Attack [2024]
Represented private provider of probation services at investigation into mass casualty attac in Reading.
Inquest into the death of Ruth Perry [2024]
Leading Counsel representing Ofsted at the Inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in January 2023.
Inquest into the death of Sudesh Amman [2021]
Leading junior representing the National Probation Service at the investigation into the Streatham terror attack.
Inquest into the death of Caroline Flack [2020]
Represented the Crown Prosecution Service.
Inquest into the death of Lisa Skidmore [2019]
Represented the National Probation Service at inquest into the death of LS who was murdered by a convicted criminal on life licence.
Bilal has extensive experience of challenges to the decisions of public bodies particularly in the areas of immigration and asylum, community care, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, mental health and prison law. He has been instructed on behalf of claimants, governmental bodies and interested parties and has appeared before the Upper Tribunal, the High Court and the Court of Appeal in judicial review proceedings and substantive appeals. Bilal’s work in this area overlaps with his expertise in dealing with claims brought for damages for false imprisonment, unlawful detention and breach of privacy.
As a special advocate, Bilal often acts in proceedings involving issues of national security. He has also been instructed as the special advocate in care proceedings where issues of non-disclosure and the consequent impact on a party’s Article 6 ECHR rights have arisen (including the High Court proceedings in BCC v FZ & Ors [2012]).
QA v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2024] EWHC 3064 (Admin)
Special advocate in judicial review challenge to Secretary of State’s refusal to grant an application for resettlement of a family from Afghanistan to the UK.
R3 v SSHD [2020]
SIAC appeal brought against a decision to deprive an individual who had travelled to Syria of his citizenship (instructed as a special advocate).
XYL v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWHC 773 (Admin)
The detention of a potential victim of trafficking pending the determination of an asylum claim.
H v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWCA Civ 41; [2017] 2WLR 1437
The use of the Royal Prerogative to cancel the passports of British nationals (instructed as a special advocate).
MST and Others (national service – risk categories) Eritrea CG [2016] UKUT 00443 (IAC)
Country guidance in relation to those fleeing national service in Eritrea. Leading junior for the Secretary of State.
MOJ & Ors (Return to Mogadishu) Somalia CG [2014] UKUT 00442 (IAC)
Country guidance concerning the general risk of return to Mogadishu. Leading junior for the Secretary of State.
XCC v (1) AA, (2) BB, (3) CC & (4) DD (by her litigation friend, the Official Solicitor) [2012] EWHC 2183 (COP); [2013] 2 All ER 988
The interface between the inherent jurisdiction and the Court’s jurisdiction under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Advocate to the Court.
Naseer & Ors v SSHD [2010]
Special advocate for three appellants (including the only successful appellant) in the “Operation Pathway” case.
Bilal undertakes personal injury work on behalf of both insurers and governmental bodies. His experience encompasses employer’s liability, claims for psychiatric injury, occupier’s liability and fatal accident claims. Bilal acted for the defendant in Razumas v MOJ, successfully arguing that a non-delegable duty of care was not owed to prisoners who receive negligent medical treatment while in custody.
Bilal brings to this area his considerable experience of both Article 2 and non-Article 2 inquests having appeared in a number of complex investigations which have addressed allegations of the breach of health and safety law, breach of regulatory policy and guidance and of medical malpractice.
JH v MOJ [2022]
Claim brought by a former prisoner officer alleging development of complex regional pain syndrome following a soft tissue injury at work.
KR v MOJ [2020]
Claim brought on behalf of a prisoner left with permanent brain injury following a prisoner-on-prisoner assault.
KF v MOD [2020]
Claim brought by former member of armed forces left permanently incapacitated following a minor injury.
Razumas v MOJ [2018] EWHC 215 (QB)
Whether the Ministry of Justice owed a non-delegable duty of care or was vicariously liable for negligent medical treatment provide to a prisoner.
Yesterday, Module 5 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry opened. The module will explore the procurement…
Discover moreThe oral hearings for Module 4 (Vaccines and Therapeutics) concluded on Friday 31 January 2025….
Discover more5 Essex Chambers is delighted to announce that Bilal Rawat is to…
Oral hearings for Module 4 of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry started today….
Instructing Bilal
Please contact James Cole if you have any questions or wish to instruct us.
Inquests and Public Inquiries
“Bilal understands the mechanism of sensitive handling as well as the case itself.”
“Bilal is very friendly and good with people. He has good knowledge of the law.”
Inquests and Public Inquiries
‘He is smooth on his feet and his wide experience makes him an effective advocate.’
“His advocacy is assured, nuanced and well judged.”
“Bilal is pragmatic and sensible in his approach.”
“Bilal has a lot of experience to bring to his client’s benefit.”
(Inquests and Public Inquiries)
“He handled difficult issues with considerable skill and dealt with difficult points with poise, demonstrating very good knowledge of the law.”
‘A measured and well-prepared senior barrister, with particular experience in acting for government departments and police forces in substantial inquiries. His attention to detail is very impressive.’
“He’s an extremely impressive inquests and inquiries barrister.” (Inquests & Public Inquiries)
“He’s doing silk’s work and doing it really impressively.” (Inquests & Public Inquiries)
“At the top of his game – one of the leading practitioners in the field of inquests and inquiries, and one of the most senior juniors consistently appearing in the most high-profile cases. Bilal’s style is measured but firm when required, and he robustly represents his client’s interests – very impressive.” (Inquest and Inquiries)
“He’s certainly a name I trust and is very knowledgeable about inquests – you know you’re in safe hands if you instruct him.” (Inquests and Inquiries)
“Always fully prepared and on top of the papers. He is also measured and calm.”
“He was very sympathetic with our clients and impressed me in his dealing with the evidence in the hearing. He had excellent command of case papers which were voluminous and both factually and legally complex.” (Inquests and Public Inquiries)
“I’m really impressed with how he dealt with difficult, emotional matters in a pleasant, balanced and accessible way.” (Inquests and Public Inquiries)
“He’s meticulous, and he has the ability to handle a very large amount of evidence and make sense of it, which is no mean feat.” (Inquests and Public Inquiries)
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