Sameera Abdulrehman

Inquests, Investigations and Online Safety

Sameera has significant experience acting in complex and sensitive coronial inquests and investigations. She acts for bereaved families, individual professionals and organisations in matters involving healthcare, mental health, safeguarding, suicide, workplace and other accidental deaths, and other unexpected or unexplained deaths.

She has particular experience in inquests involving online safety and digital evidence. This includes identifying, reviewing and analysing social media, messaging, online content and other digital material; advising on evidence held by social media and technology companies; and considering issues arising under the Online Safety Act.

Sameera also advises families on the scope and conduct of coronial investigations and represents professionals and other interested persons facing sensitive or serious allegations. Her wider investigations practice includes complex fact-finding, evidence review and witness evidence in independent and regulatory investigations, including matters involving senior individuals, public figures and significant reputational issues.

Her work includes:

• Acting for the University of Cambridge in the Fishmongers’ Hall inquests concerning the terrorist attack at Fishmongers’ Hall in November 2019.
• Representing a bereaved family in an inquest concerning a death by suicide involving online safety concerns and extensive social media and digital evidence.
• Representing a family in an inquest examining a hospital’s failure to identify flaws in the treatment provided to a family member.
• Representing physicians and psychiatrists in sensitive inquests concerning the deaths of patients and former patients.
• Representing an interested person facing serious allegations in a sensitive and complex inquest.
• Representing a company following a fatal accident in the resulting inquest and related police and Health and Safety Executive investigation.
• Representing a family in an inquest concerning a drug-related death.
• Acting on a complex independent investigation involving a senior individual and significant evidential and reputational issues.
• Advising on a large-scale regulatory review involving the Financial Conduct Authority.

Judicial Review and Public Law

Sameera acts for individuals and organisations in complex public law litigation and advises on public law risk, strategy and decision-making. Her practice encompasses judicial review and appellate proceedings concerning government and regulatory decision-making, procedural fairness, human rights, criminal justice and education.

Her work includes:

• Representing the Bar Council in its successful intervention in XGY v Chief Constable of Sussex Police & CPS [2025] EWCA Civ 1230, in which the Court of Appeal considered the scope of advocate and witness immunity.
• Acting for the Independent Schools Council in its judicial review concerning the Government’s introduction of VAT on independent school fees.
• Acting for Spotlight on Corruption in its successful intervention in R (World Uyghur Congress) v NCA & HMRC [2024] EWCA Civ 715, a significant case concerning the application of the UK’s anti-money laundering regime to the proceeds of forced labour.
• Acting in judicial review proceedings concerning police decision-making.

Public Inquiries

Sameera has experience acting in significant public inquiries and large-scale investigations. She represents core participants and witnesses and advises on complex evidence and disclosure exercises, witness preparation and the management of sensitive material in high-profile proceedings.

Her work includes:

• Representing core participants in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
• Representing witnesses in the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.
• Acting for a senior, high-profile witness in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.