Hudgell Solicitors

Civil Liberties

Associate Solicitor and Manager of Public Inquiries

Terry has worked in law since 1981, working for both claimants and defendants before specialising in Public Inquiries and Inquests. He qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1986 and was admitted as a solicitor in 1997.

Terry was instructed in his first Public Inquiry in 1987 and is currently instructed in the Manchester Arena Bombing, Post Office IT Horizon and UK Covid-19 Inquiries.

He was one of the original solicitors instructed to represent families at the Second Hillsborough Inquests and supported our legal teams at inquests into the deaths of the four young men murdered by serial killer Stephen Port, and Jack Barnes of Hull, who died after being restrained by guards at a rail station.

He is motivated to find the truth following a tragedy as his brother was a survivor of the Hillsborough disaster. Terry’s cases are often covered by the national media and he has made numerous television and radio appearances to discuss the legal aspect of his cases.

Career Highlights

It is always difficult to select a case as the highlight of a career as I have been lucky enough to have so many, all for differing reasons.

For ceremonial and professional reasons, Knowles v Liverpool City Council was memorable as I was able to witness the inner workings of the Court of Appeal and The House of Lords.

For client care reasons, the Manchester Arena Bombing Inquiry has been memorable as the clients I have represented will forever be close to my heart, and part of my extended family.

However, I would always choose Hillsborough as the legal highlight. In more than 40 years in law, I have never witnessed such raw emotion as when the jury read out its verdict. To witness the families who fought so hard and for so long receive recognition in their fight for justice reduced many of the hardened lawyers to tears.

I, along with the other family lawyers received professional recognition for this work and was awarded Legal Aid Lawyer of the year.

I always try to go above and beyond what a client expects. I was brought up in an inner city and as the youngest child of a Liverpool docker was taught to fight for the rights of the less fortunate. I try to fulfil this with every case that I come across.