Abigail Gowland

About Me

I am the Deputy Head of the Inquests and Public Inquiries Department at Watson Woodhouse, where I specialise in guiding families through the often complex and emotionally challenging inquest process. My work is primarily focused on cases where there has been state involvement, such as police, prison, or mental health services, and I am committed to providing a compassionate and dedicated service to those who have lost loved ones in tragic circumstances.

I have a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in inquest cases, particularly where there may also be civil claims under the Human Rights Act and/or for clinical negligence. My approach is not just to provide legal advice but to support families through the entire journey, humanising the process and ensuring that their voices are heard and that their loved ones are remembered as individuals.

Over the years, I have built strong partnerships with various charities and organisations, ensuring that families receive comprehensive support beyond the legal aspects of their cases. This collaborative approach allows me to address both the legal and emotional needs of my clients, ensuring they are fully supported throughout the inquest process.

My work often comes through referrals and recommendations, with many clients turning to me after finding their previous legal representation lacked the necessary engagement and personalised service required in such sensitive circumstances. I pride myself on providing a level of care and dedication that means my clients know they are fully supported throughout the process.

I can assist clients with state-funded or private cases across the country and I am happy to discuss all of the different funding options available to clients.

In addition to my inquest work, I am a Legal Aid Supervisor, alongside handling clinical negligence and personal injury claims, particularly those that arise from the inquests I manage. My role also includes mentoring several apprentices and trainees as well as overseeing our free legal clinics, including the Citizen Advice partnership and a free walk-in Saturday clinic at our offices.

Throughout my career I have worked on a number of high-profile cases, including those involving potential breaches of the Human Rights Act, Judicial Reviews of Government Departments, and I am actively involved in pushing for a public inquiry into systemic failures in state care.

Outside of my professional responsibilities, I am committed to supporting charities, including running the Great North Run to raise funds for a cause close to my heart.

I am proud to have received recognition for my work, having been awarded ‘Rising Star of The Year 2024’ at the Northern Law Awards

List of notable cases:

Patient X Inquest & TEWV Prosecution:

I represent Patient X’s family in the inquest into their death. Patient X lost their life whilst detailed under a section at a hospital managed by Tees Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Trust. The Trust’s investigation into Patient X’s death highlighted failures in her care including inadequate risk assessments and missed opportunities to update records as well as environmental risk factors which the Trust were put on notice due to a death in the same circumstances, 18 months prior. Patient X’s inquest is yet to take place.

The Trust was fined £200,000 by the Care Quality Commission in relation to Christie Harnett and Patient X. While no outcome can bring back those lost, this prosecution serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in ensuring patient safety.

Patient X – TEWV NHS Prosecution

TEWV Fined £200,000 for Failures in the Care of Christie Harnett and Patient X

ITV News Special Programme: Teesside Mental Health Trust fined £200,000 over deaths in its care

Mia Janin Inquest:

In March 2021, Mia Janin, 14, was found dead in her home in Harrow. Mia was believed to have taken her own life after she was bullied both in person and online. I represented the family of Mia Janin in the inquest into her death. The inquest concluded that Mia took her own life after experiencing bullying from other students at the school.

Despite her parents raising multiple concerns with the school about Mia’s feelings of loneliness and isolation, these issues persisted. The inquest brought to light the extent of the cyberbullying Mia suffered, including the sharing of her TikTok videos in a Snapchat group and the circulation of edited inappropriate images.

Mia Janin Inquest

Mia Janin Took Her Own Life After Being Bullied

Oliver Brassington-Weston Inquest:

I represented the family of Oliver Brassington-Weston, a 16-year-old who tragically took his own life while in the care of a children’s home operated by the Witherslack Group. The inquest revealed that Oliver had self-harmed and expressed suicidal thoughts in the weeks leading up to his death.

The coroner concluded that while staff at the children’s home acted in a timely and appropriate manner, his death could not have been prevented. However, concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of risk assessments, prompting the coroner to issue a letter of concern to the Witherslack Group, calling for improvements. Additionally, the coroner issued a Regulation 28 report to Ofsted, highlighting deficiencies in their post-incident visit and questioning their findings.

Oliver Brassington-Weston Inquest

Charley-Ann Patterson Inquest:

I represented the family of 12-year-old Charley-Ann Patterson in the inquest into her death. Charley was found unresponsive at her home in Cramlington, Northumberland, in October 2020, after suffering bullying and struggling to access mental health support during the COVID-19 lockdown. The inquest concluded with Senior Coroner Andrew Hetherington recording a verdict of suicide. The coroner highlighted the significant increase in mental health issues among young people since the pandemic, noting the rise in anxiety, self-harm, and related problems. Due to these concerns, the coroner announced his intention to write to the then Health Secretary Therese Coffey to address the escalating mental health crisis among children.

Following the inquest, the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Trust, responsible for Charley’s care, acknowledged the need for improvements and welcomed the coroner’s call for government action on the issue. The trust emphasised the steps taken to enhance risk assessment and safeguarding practices, aiming to better protect vulnerable children in the future.

Charley’s family are campaigning for ‘Charley Law’, which calls for improvements in mental health provision for young people. They want to see all first appointments with children’s mental health services take place within a month of referral; weekly support meetings and more regular meetings with all key players in a child’s life, including doctors, parents, teachers, and social services.

Coroner to Write to Health Secretary After 12-Year-Old Girls Suicide

Peter Flounders Inquest:

I represented the family of Peter Flounders, a 37-year-old man from Thornaby. Peter had long struggled with mental heal issues and unfortunately passed away in September 2020. The inquest determined that Peter’s death was due to a combination of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs that had a fatal effect on his central nervous system, leading to a conclusion of misadventure rather than suicide.

During the inquest, evidence was presented from medical professionals involved in Peter’s care, including his psychiatric team from Tees, Esk, and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust. Despite Peter’s mental health struggles, there was no evidence to suggest that TEWV had failed in their duty of care, though the Coroner expressed hope that the Trust would reflect on the circumstances of Peter’s death.

Peter Flounders Inquest

Zoe Zaremba Inquest:

I represented the family of Zoe Zaremba, a 25-year-old woman with autism, who tragically died after receiving care from the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV). Zoe was found deceased in June 2020 near her home in Aiskew, North Yorkshire. The inquest heard Zoe had been misdiagnosed with personality disorder, and her subsequent care was marked by significant issues, including an improvised discharge plan from the hospital and the lack of a coherent follow-up strategy. Over the years, Zoe had experienced numerous crises, including multiple visits to A&E and being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The inquest concluded that concluded that Zoe’s death was a result of suicide, exacerbated by systemic failings in her care. The Coroner wrote to the then health minister, Gillian Keegan, to urge changes in the care of people with autism and wrote a similar letter to the trust to urge more structured care of autistic patients and a review of all personality disorder diagnoses.

‘The worst thing Zoe ever did was go to mental health and ask for help because it’s killed her’