Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Anna is a Principal Associate in our Public Inquiries and Investigations team.

She has acted as solicitors to both statutory and non-statutory inquiries and also represents clients in some of the most complex and high-profile inquiries established by the UK Government. Anna has higher-level security clearance (Develop Vetted clearance).

She was part of the team acting as Solicitors to the statutory Independent Jersey Care Inquiry investigating historical abuse of children in care, and the regulatory framework surrounding care homes. She was also a member of the Commissioning Body to the Independent Inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation, the non-statutory inquiry tasked with examining child sexual exploitation in Telford. She liaised with stakeholders and has managed the disclosure process from all key stakeholders, using technology platforms where appropriate, which led to efficiencies in the Inquiry’s work. She has advised on issues of anonymity, data protection concerns and the use of sensitive material and has participated in numerous witness interviews including police officers, politicians, law enforcement officers as well as victims of abuse and those accused of abuse, using inquisitorial and cognitive interviewing techniques. She worked closely with the Chair to the non-statutory Inquiry and was part of the team supporting the Chair with the preparation of his report, drafting of final findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Anna also acts on behalf of large organizations who find themselves involved in public inquiries. Her recent experience includes representing an insurance company who has Core Participant status in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, representing a utility company who was a Core Participant in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, acting on behalf of a high-profile individual involved in the Westminster Investigation of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and representing a Core Participant in the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. She conducts independent internal investigations on behalf of the clients, provides strategic advice and prepares them for their engagement with the inquiry. She advises on issues such as applications for core participant status, relevance of documents and disclosure to the Inquiry, redaction issues and preparation for hearings, and liaises with the Solicitors to the Inquiry on the client’s part.

Anna’s regulatory experience includes acting as a Legal Adviser to the Teaching Regulation Agency’s disciplinary panel, which is responsible for dealing with serious misconduct cases against teachers.

Anna also advises the Welsh Language Commissioner on his regulatory duties and responsibilities under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011.

Principal Associate