Warning – Potentially distressing content. Please be aware that the hearings may contain descriptions of death and suicide, from the start and throughout, which some viewers may find distressing. Due to the subject matter discussed, the Lampard Inquiry does not recommend anyone under the age of 18 views the hearings. If you require support, please visit the support section on the Inquiry’s website for information about how you may be able to access this.
You can download a copy of the Public Information Pack – October 2026 Hearing.
Hearing Information
This guide provides information about the Lampard Inquiry’s Public Hearing, taking place at The Civic Centre in Chelmsford during October 2026.
It is to help you get to the hearing centre and gives information on what to expect when you arrive and further details about the venue, facilities and support available.
Essential Information
The Lampard Inquiry’s October 2026 Hearing is taking place at The Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JE.
The Hearing is scheduled to take place from Monday 05 October to Thursday 15 October (inclusive), subject to confirmation of witness availability and scheduling.
Before the hearing
How to register your attendance
We are asking for all named Core Participants and their registered legal representatives (RLRs) to register their attendance directly with the Inquiry. This is to ensure the Inquiry can manage room capacity, for the health, safety and security of those attending.
Please register your attendance using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/htd5muCeoTqFJYZX8.
Where possible please register your attendance by Wednesday 30 September 2026. The Inquiry will aim to confirm your attendance w/c 28 September.
If the number of registered individuals is higher than available seats, then seats will be allocated on a first come first serve basis and remaining individuals will be informed that they have been added to a waitlist.
If you are not a named Core Participant or RLR, please register using the public registration form which will be available on the Inquiry website in advance of the hearing.
Livestream registration
Core Participants and RLRs who are not attending the hearing in person can watch the hearing live on a secure weblink. You can register for the secure weblink here: Webinar Registration – Zoom
Please note that your registration for the secure weblink must be approved by the Inquiry. Once you have been approved, you will receive the secure weblink. The Inquiry will aim to ensure you receive the secure weblink 2 days before the hearing starts. You can use the same secure weblink for every day of the hearing, you will not be sent a new secure weblink each day. Only one person can access the weblink at any one time. You must have signed and returned to the Inquiry a confidentiality undertaking to be granted access to the livestream.
The hearing will also be live streamed on the Lampard Inquiry YouTube Channel for anyone who wishes to attend remotely (and no registration is required for this). The hearing will be streamed with a time delay of 10 minutes.
Reasonable adjustments
If you require any reasonable adjustments to attend the hearing (such as a hearing loop, wheelchair access or an additional individual who is not a named Core Participant to support you), then you can let the Inquiry know via the attendance registration form or alternatively inform your RLR.
YouTube Channel
The hearing will also be live streamed on the Lampard Inquiry YouTube Channel for anyone who wishes to attend remotely (and no registration is required for this). The hearing will be streamed with a time delay of 10 minutes.
Getting to the hearing
The Lampard Inquiry’s October 2026 hearing is taking place in the Council Chamber at Chelmsford Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JE.
Please enter the building from the front entrance on Duke Street.
Transport to the hearing venue
By train
The nearest train station to the Civic Centre is Chelmsford Station. You can look at National Rail to check which trains stop at Chelmsford Station.
The station is less than a five-minute walk from the Civic Centre.
By car
The postcode of the venue for satellite navigation is CM1 1JE.
The nearest car parks are:
Car Park | Charges |
|---|---|
Townfield Street Car Park Railway Street Chelmsford CM1 1QX 3 minute walk to the Civic Centre Opening hours: 5.30am to midnight No electric charging points. | Monday to Friday (from 5:30am)
|
Fairfield Road Car Park Chelmsford CM1 1TD 3 minute walk to the Civic Centre Open 24 hours; entrance in Coval Lane; and 2 electric charging points. | Monday to Friday (from 5am)
|
By bus
The Civic Centre is next to Chelmsford Bus Station in Duke Street. You can look at First Essex to check which buses stop on Duke Street.
By bike
There are bike racks:
by the main entrance to the Civic Centre on Duke Street; and
in Marconi Plaza.
Witness expenses policy
If you are attending the October hearing as a witness, you may be able to claim expenses for attending the Inquiry hearing. These expenses may include costs such as transport, food and childcare. The Lampard Inquiry website has guidance, explaining the rules and the process for claiming witness expenses, including the maximum amounts that can be claimed.
Dates and times of the Hearing
The hearing will take place from Monday 05 October to Thursday 15 October (inclusive). The Inquiry will sit on Mondays to Thursdays during this period. No hearings will be taking place on Fridays.
Witnesses
We would be grateful if witnesses could arrive between 9:00am and 9:30am, if your evidence session has been scheduled for the morning, and between 1:00pm and 1:30pm, for those whose evidence sessions have been scheduled for the afternoon, unless you have agreed separately arrangements with the Inquiry team.
To notify the Inquiry of your arrival, or if you need to get hold of a member of the Inquiry team, please call the Inquiry on 07943072701.
We suggest wearing smart clothing that you feel comfortable sitting in. Staff witnesses do not need to wear uniform.
All other attendees
For all other attendees, including Core Participants, RLRs and the public, the doors will open at 09:30am each day. We would be grateful if you could please arrive by 09:50am at the latest in order to register, pass through security and be seated before the hearing begins each day.
The hearing will usually begin each day at 10:00am and finish by 4:30pm. All attendees need to have vacated the venue by 5:00pm each day.
There will be a short break in the morning and afternoon in which teas and coffees will be provided free of charge.
There will normally be a 1-hour break for lunch each day. The timings of the lunch break will vary but predicted to be between 1:00pm and 2:00pm.
Timings may occasionally be subject to change.
On arrival at the Hearing
Media Presence
Media presence
Please note that there may be a press area (also known as a press pen) outside of the main Civic Centre entrance for media cameras and journalists to base themselves. The media will not be filming all the time or filming everyone who enters. If you do not wish to be filmed walking in, you can politely ask the media not to do so. If you have strong concerns about this, please contact the Inquiry team by email at operations@lampardinquiry.org.uk or by phone leaving a voicemail (020 7972 3500) and we can discuss possible alternative options.
When interviewing families, the Inquiry has asked the media to avoid the main entrance of the building and consider other areas nearby to hold interviews.
Please be aware that the hearing is being filmed throughout and will be broadcast via YouTube (with a 10-minute delay). All those in the hearing room may be caught on camera in the background, or while the cameras are panning.
Registration
Please enter the building from the front entrance on Duke Street and continue up the stairs to the first floor. Once you are in the foyer area of the first floor, you will be asked to pass through security and will be directed to the registration desk where a member of the Inquiry team will greet you to sign you in.
We will provide you with a lanyard to wear at all times while you are in the building. This is for security and identification purposes.
Security Checks
All those attending the hearing must go through a security check each time they enter the Civic Centre. Please allow extra time to go through security and be aware you may have to queue upon entry.
The security check may include:
- A bag check and/or emptying your pockets
- Walking through an archway detector
- Being checked by a handheld scanner
If you’re wearing a head covering for religious or cultural reasons, you can ask for it to be checked with a handheld scanner, so you do not have to take it off.
Prohibited Items
You cannot take the following items into the hearing venue:
- Any weapons or sharp objects – these include blades such as scissors, penknives, razors, hammers or other tools and cutlery.
- Any glass – for example bottles, other than framed pictures which will be allowed.
- Syringes (unless you have a prescription).
- Alcohol – solvents and other potentially harmful substances.
- Liquids that are not drinks (water only) or prescription medicine – such as oils, perfumes, lighter refills, glues, and cleaning products. Prescription medicines must have the pharmacist label with your name and the date they were issued.
You will also not be allowed to bring in items that security staff reasonably think could be used as a weapon, even if you think they are harmless.
You will be reported to the police if you try to take a weapon into the hearing centre.
Please advise us if you need any reasonable adjustments to be taken during security checks by emailing us at operations@lampardinquiry.org.uk.
Facilities at the Hearing Centre
The main rooms and facilities at the hearing centre are:
- Hearing room – the Inquiry’s proceedings will take place in the Council Chamber. There is tiered seating in this room for attendees and a row of seats at the front for family core participants or support individuals for witnesses. There will be a restricted number of seats at desks available for RLRs.
- Crompton room – this room will be available for use by family Core Participants and their RLRs, unrepresented families and people with lived experienced.
- Witness room – a private space for witnesses to use ahead of and after giving their evidence to the Inquiry.
- Emotional support room – a private space for emotional support to be provided by independent counsellors on a confidential basis.
- Desk charging points – each desk will be equipped with 2 plug sockets for charging electronic devices.
There are toilets available in the Civic Centre, although please note that they are limited in number and therefore you may have to queue at busy times, such as during the breaks.
Safeguarding and Emotional Support
The wellbeing of people participating with the Inquiry is extremely important to the Chair and the Inquiry team.
The Inquiry will have free specialist emotional support available during the hearing for Core Participants and witnesses, as well as other attendees, offered by the Inquiry’s independent emotional support provider, Hestia, who are an experienced provider of emotional support.
If you feel that you need the support of Hestia at the hearing, please approach their support staff, they will be wearing orange-coloured lanyards. Alternatively, please do approach a member of the Inquiry team.
Emotional support will also be available for those not attending the hearing in person, as well as in advance of and after the public hearing. Hestia can offer you:
- A safe space for you to discuss any concerns or feelings related to the Inquiry in a safe environment.
- A variety of techniques and skills for managing difficult emotions and memories.
- Personal strategies developed to help you maintain your wellbeing while engaging with the Inquiry.
If you would like to arrange a call with an emotional support counsellor, Hestia can be contacted via telephone at 0808 164 0008 or email at LampardInquiry.Support@hestia.org.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are concerned about the wellbeing of yourself or someone else at the hearing centre, please alert a member of the Inquiry staff or security team who will provide or locate support as soon as possible.
For more information on the emotional support available, please see the Lampard Inquiry website.
Evacuation and Fire Alarm Test
Attendees will be advised of any fire alarm tests and the relevant muster points at the start of each sitting day.
Inquiry and Civic Centre staff will be on site to direct attendees out of the building in the event of a fire.
Wi-Fi
There is public Wi-Fi available at the Civic Centre.
Please note that you cannot use your mobile phone whilst in the hearing room, but you can use it in all other areas of the Civic Centre.
Feedback
If you would like to share feedback about your experience or support at the Lampard Public Hearing, please let us know at operations@lampardinquiry.org.uk or by leaving a voicemail on 020 7972 3500.
Principles of Engagement for the October Hearing
During the October Hearing the Inquiry will hear evidence from corporate witnesses. This evidence will be of a very difficult and sensitive nature, often describing tragic circumstances. The Chair recognises the resilience and courage of those witnesses who are willing to share their accounts and asks everyone attending hearings to do the same.
The Chair also recognises that for many of those attending, there may be parts of the evidence that are extremely difficult or distressing to hear.
The Chair expects all those attending the public hearings to honour the Principles of Engagement by treating all parties with courtesy. Those who are giving evidence, must be
given the opportunity to be heard and must be afforded respect throughout. It is vitally important that all legal representatives and witnesses, whatever their role or their perspective on the Inquiry’s work, are afforded the time and the appropriate environment in which to give their evidence and engage with the Inquiry’s October Hearing.
To that end, in the hearing room:
- Those attending will listen quietly and respectfully to the opening statement and to the evidence being given.
- There will be no disruptions, shouting out or disturbances of any kind.
- Mobile phones must be switched to silent within the hearing room and no recording or filming devices of any kind will be permitted. Laptops for legal representatives, the Inquiry team and the media are permitted.
- Filming or taking pictures, including on a mobile phone, will not be permitted.
- Food and drink (other than water) will not be permitted. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available in the café area.
- Anyone who needs assistance during a hearing should leave the hearing room quietly and alert a member of the Inquiry team if support is needed.
The wellbeing of those participating in the Inquiry is extremely important to the Chair and the Inquiry team. We understand that engaging with the Inquiry can be emotionally difficult. The Inquiry has contracted Hestia, an experienced provider of emotional support, to ensure that there is access to support while engaging with the Inquiry process. Specialist emotional support provided by support staff will be available on site. Attendees who feel they need the support should make their needs known to a member of the Inquiry team.
In the event that anyone does not follow the Principles of Engagement, they may be asked to leave the hearing room. If necessary, the Chair may also consider holding hearings in private, with limited attendance.
You can download a copy of the Public Information Pack – October 2026 Hearing.
For a summary of past and upcoming hearings, please visit our Hearings page for more information.
