Inquiry announces plans for November hearing

The Eljamel Inquiry will hold an opening statement hearing at Waverley Gate in Edinburgh on Wednesday 26th November and Thursday 27th November 2025.

The purpose of the hearing is to enable core participants to make a meaningful contribution to the Inquiry’s preparations.

Legal representatives of core participants have been invited to make written submissions in advance. These will be published on the Inquiry’s website after the hearing. 

Legal representatives may also deliver oral opening statements at the hearing in November, if they wish to do so.

The hearing will be an opportunity to listen to the views of core participants in more detail.

In particular, they have been encouraged to suggest lines of investigation for the Inquiry, possible witnesses, and key material which the Inquiry should seek to gather as evidence.

The Inquiry’s core participants are:

• 138 former patients of Mr Eljamel and 21 personal representatives of former patients (represented by Levy & McRae)
• NHS Tayside
• Scottish Government
• University of Dundee
• Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh)
• Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• NHS Education for Scotland

Senior Counsel to the Inquiry, Jamie Dawson KC, will also provide an update on the progress of the Inquiry’s work.

This follows on from the Inquiry’s first preliminary hearing, which took place on 10th September 2025.

The Inquiry plans to hold evidential hearings in 2026. At this time, no further procedural hearings are planned before these evidential hearings begin.

However, the Inquiry’s procedures mean that further such procedural hearings may be held – if deemed necessary by the Inquiry’s Chair, Lord Weir - to monitor and provide a public update about the progress of the Inquiry’s work.

Members of the public wishing to attend the hearing in person should visit the Inquiry's Eventbrite booking page to apply for a seat in advance.