The Southport Inquiry

We’re supporting families affected by the tragic events of 29th July 2024 in Southport. As a firm with deep roots in the local community, we’re proud to stand with those affected – and make sure their voices are heard.

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Author

Nicola Ryan-Donnelly

Partner & Solicitor

Reviewer

Katie Rutter

Associate, Chartered Legal Executive

Last Updated

21st July 2026

Background on the Inquiry

Fletchers has been part of the Southport community since our founding in 1987 by Rob Fletcher. Many of our people live and work here, and we felt the profound impact of the horrific events of 29th July 2024 alongside the rest of the town. We represent a significant number of families who’ve been directly impacted, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected.

The case is led by Nicola Ryan-Donnelly, Associate Solicitor in our Public Inquiry team. Nicola is known for her straightforward, compassionate approach and has significant experience working with families affected by major trauma. Our priority remains supporting our clients through the Inquiry to ensure that their voices are heard and that they get the answers they deserve.

For press enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Our role in the Southport Inquiry

Fletchers Solicitors represents 19 families, including 22 of the surviving children. Our specialist team is supporting the affected families and individuals through this challenging time. We’re helping them participate with confidence and ensuring their experiences are heard at the highest level.

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What the Inquiry aims to achieve

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Answers, accountability, and lessons for the future.

The Southport Inquiry is an independent statutory inquiry. Its purpose is to examine what happened, why it happened, and what needs to change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

For families affected by the Southport tragedy, the Inquiry is an opportunity for their concerns to be heard at the highest level. It’s a chance to understand the full circumstances surrounding the dreadful loss of their children, the psychological impact on those who were injured, and to ensure that those responsible for the failures are held to account. Evidence produced by a public inquiry can lead to recommendations being made for changes to policy and/or law.

How we’re supporting the families:

Ensuring families are fully informed and supported throughout the Inquiry process
Helping clients deliver their victim impact statements
Ensuring the voices of those affected are heard at every stage
Providing practical and emotional support beyond the formal legal process
Working to secure answers, accountability, and recognition for those impacted

Our commitment to those we represent

Many of the families we represent delivered their victim impact statements in person, sharing in their own words the ongoing effect the attack has had on their lives. Nicola Ryan-Donnelly said: “We’ve had the privilege of standing alongside the families as they delivered their victim impact statements to the Southport Inquiry. Their courage, honesty, and resilience have shown the profound and enduring impact of this tragedy on their lives. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sir Adrian Fulford and the Inquiry team for the compassion and sensitivity they have shown to our clients throughout.”

The team supporting Southport families

Our Public Inquiry team brings compassion to every family we support.

Why choose Fletchers for support through public inquiries?

Supporting families through a public inquiry is deeply sensitive and complex work. It demands not only legal expertise, but genuine care, empathy, and a commitment to being there for the long term. Our Serious Injury team bring together legal expertise and compassion, with real dedication to you and your family, to make sure you’re supported every step of the way.

Expertise you can rely on

Specialist serious injury team with significant experience supporting families through major trauma
Representing 19 families, including 22 of the surviving children
Led by Nicola Ryan-Donnelly, Associate Solicitor, recognised for her compassionate and straightforward approach
Active engagement with the Southport Inquiry process, including supporting families through victim impact statements
Trusted by families who describe the team as attentive, understanding, and genuinely committed
Helping you understand the findings, the recommendations made and any subsequent legal options available to you

We welcome the news that there will be a public inquiry into the horrific Southport attacks that took place on 29th July 2024, so families can obtain the answers they need, and crucial lessons can be learned.

Charlotte Mackulin

You have been nothing short of everything to us as a family. You're so much more than a solicitor.

You're not alone

We understand this is a deeply difficult experience.

The events of 29th July 2024 have had a devastating and lasting impact on the children, families and wider community of Southport. We know that nothing can undo what happened – but we also know that having the right people alongside you and fighting for change, can make a real difference to how you experience what comes next.

Many of the families we support have told us how much it has meant to feel genuinely listened to, and to have someone who understands not just the legal process, but the human weight of what they are carrying. As one family put it: “You have been nothing short of everything to us as a family. You’re so much more than a solicitor.”

We’re aware that for many families, their priority is to answers, accountability, and recognition of what their children and loved ones have been through – and importantly, to drive change that means others do not have to suffer in the same way. That’s what we’re working towards together.

If you’re a family affected by an incident that leads to a public inquiry and would like to speak to us, please get in touch. We’ll listen, and we’ll guide you through each step.

FAQs about the Southport Inquiry

What is the Southport Inquiry?

The Southport Inquiry is a public inquiry into the attack that took place in Southport on 29th July 2024. Its purpose is to establish the facts of what happened, ensure the voices of those affected are heard, and identify any lessons that should be learned. Fletchers welcomes the inquiry and is actively supporting families through the process.

What are victim impact statements?

Victim impact statements give those affected the opportunity to describe, in their own words, how the attack has affected their lives. During hearings in July and September 2025, many of the families we represent delivered their statements in person to the Inquiry. We supported them through every stage of that process.

How is Fletchers involved in the Southport Inquiry?

Fletchers represents 19 families, including 22 of the surviving children. Our team is fully engaged in the ongoing inquiry, attending proceedings, supporting families through key stages such as the delivery of victim impact statements, and ensuring our clients are informed and heard throughout.

Who is leading the Fletchers team?

The case is led by Nicola Ryan-Donnelly, Associate Solicitor in our Serious Injury team. Nicola has significant experience working with families affected by major trauma and is known for her compassionate, straightforward approach. She is supported by Katie Rutter, Chartered Legal Executive.

How can I get in touch with the Fletchers team?

If you’re a family affected by an incident that lead to a public inquiry and would like to speak to us, please get in touch using the contact details on this page. For media and press enquiries, please contact our PR team at [email protected].