Hearings – Logistical Information

Transport to the hearing venue

By train/underground

The nearest tube station to Arundel House is Temple Underground Station on the Circle and District lines.

Arundel House is less than a three-minute walk from Temple Underground Station.

• Other underground stations close by are:
•  Embankment – 10-minute walk
• Charing Cross Underground or Station – 15-minute walk
•  Blackfriars – 15-minute walk
• Waterloo – 20-minute walk

Travel from London Liverpool Street station to Arundel House will take approximately 15 minutes. From London Liverpool Street station, use the underground taking the Circle Line directly to Temple Underground Station.

By car

Arundel House is located in central London where parking is extremely limited. We advise against driving to the venue if possible. There are no parking spaces available at the venue.

The nearest car parks are:

By bus

There are a number of bus stops located near Arundel House. We recommend using Transport for London’s Journey Planner to find a bus route.  

By bike

There are public bike racks located along Arundel Street. Please ensure you bring your own bike lock with you.

In addition, there is a Santander Cycle docking station located on Arundel Street. Bike hire cost from £1.65 for up to 30 minutes.

Witness Expenses Policy

If you are attending the April 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. 

Dates and times of the hearing

The hearing will take place from Monday 28 April to Thursday 15 May. The Inquiry will sit on Mondays to Thursdays during this period. No hearings will be taking place on Fridays.  Please also note, that the Inquiry will not sit on Monday 5 May 2025, as this is a bank holiday, or Wednesday 7 May 2025.

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. 

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 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 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.

On Arrival at the hearing

Media Presence

Please note that there may be a press area (also known as a press pen) outside of the main Arundel House 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 visible on camera in the background, or while the cameras are panning.

Registration

Please enter the building from the front entrance on Temple Place where you will be greeted by a member of the Inquiry team and asked to sign in. Members of the public will need to present one form of photographic identification.

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 Arundel House. 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 or calling 020 7972 3500 and leaving a voicemail.

Facilities at the Hearing Centre

The main rooms and facilities available to the public at the hearing centre are:

• Hearing room – the Inquiry’s proceedings will take place in the Lee Kuan Yew Conference Room, located on the fifth floor of Arundel House. Seating areas will be reserved for Core Participants, witnesses, the media and the public. There will be a restricted number of seats at desks available for RLRs.
• Emotional support room– a private space for emotional support to be provided by independent counsellors on a confidential basis.

Toilets

There are toilets available throughout the venue, although please note that they are limited in number and therefore you may have to queue at busy times, such as during the breaks.

Principles of Engagement for the April Hearing

As part of the April Hearing the Inquiry will hear evidence about some of the specific and serious issues that resulted in it being established. These issues are of a difficult and sensitive nature, and often gave rise to tragic circumstances. The Chair recognises that for many of those attending, there may be parts of the hearing 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, or presentations, 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 engage with the Inquiry’s April Hearing.

To that end, in the hearing room:

• Those attending will listen quietly and respectfully to the opening statements the evidence and the presentations 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.

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.

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. This service is overseen by the Inquiry’s Chief Psychologist.

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.

Please be aware that this emotional support is focused on your engagement with the Inquiry and is not intended as long-term counselling. If you need ongoing support for mental health or well-being concerns not directly linked to the Inquiry, we encourage you to speak to your GP.

For information on how to access this service please contact the Inquiry team at contact@lampardinquiry.org.uk.

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 Arundel House staff will be on site to direct attendees out of the building in the event of a fire.

Wi-Fi

There will be a dedicated Lampard Inquiry Wi-Fi available at Arundel House.

Please note that you cannot use your mobile phone whilst in the hearing room, but you can use it in all other areas of Arundel House. 

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.