Inquiry Opens into Manston House with Duncan Lewis Representing 75 Former Detainees (20 January 2026)

The public inquiry into the catastrophic conditions at Manston House Short-Term Holding Facility has formally opened; marking a major step in scrutiny of the Home Office’s handling of one of the most serious detention crises in recent years. Chaired by Sophie Cartwright KC, the Inquiry will investigate how thousands of asylum seekers — including children — came to be held for prolonged periods in severely overcrowded and unsafe conditions, and whether those failures were foreseeable, preventable and lawful.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors represent 75 former detainees who have been granted status as Inquiry Participants, ensuring that the voices of those directly affected will be heard as the Inquiry examines events between 1 June and 22 November 2022.

From late summer 2022, Manston rapidly descended into crisis. Although authorised to accommodate around 1,600 people, typically for no more than 24 hours, the facility was by November holding up to 4,000 detainees at any one time. Approximately 18,000 people were detained beyond the lawful 24-hour limit, with some held for as long as 32 days. Those detained included families with children, many of whom were forced to sleep on floors in overcrowded marquees amid poor sanitation, outbreaks of infectious disease and incidents of violence. One person detained at Manston died.

The Inquiry follows successful legal action brought by 16 former detainees, represented by Duncan Lewis Solicitors and Wilson LLP, who challenged the Home Office’s failure to establish an independent investigation into the events at Manston. That judicial review ultimately led the Home Secretary to announce a non-statutory public inquiry in early 2025.

At the preliminary hearing on 15 January 2026, the Inquiry set out its investigative framework, considered further applications for Inquiry Participant status, and identified key issues to be examined, including decision-making at senior levels of government and the adequacy of safeguarding, oversight and contingency planning. A provisional timetable was confirmed, with full public hearings expected to take place in Autumn 2026.

Duncan Lewis’ Inquiry Participants are represented by the firm’s Public Law department, including Toufique Hossain, Lewis Kett, Nina Kamp, Francis Freeman and Emily Gough. They have instructed counsel Laura Dubinsky KC of Doughty Street Chambers and Jesse Nicholls of Matrix Chambers instructed.

A link to a video recording of the preliminary hearing can be found here: https://www.manston.independent-inquiry.uk/first-prelim/

Giving People a Voice

The Public Law team at Duncan Lewis is one of the largest in the UK, specialising in judicial review and civil liberties work. The team regularly acts in high-profile challenges involving immigration detention, asylum support, and human rights, representing some of the most vulnerable individuals in society.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a multi-award-winning national law firm, committed to access to justice and providing specialist advice and representation in legal aid and privately funded matters. The firm’s dedication to defending the rights of marginalised and at-risk individuals continues to achieve meaningful outcomes and systemic change.