Rachel Twizell

Inquests

About Me

My career started at Watson Woodhouse in 2011, following working a number of years as a legal secretary for a local law firm within the housing department. I originally joined Watson Woodhouse as a secretary for both the Housing and Mental Health departments.

I then moved solely into the housing department prior to my promotion to Legal Clerk and subsequently obtaining supervisor status in 2017. During this period I gained a vast knowledge of Housing Law particularly, representing clients at Court in possession and eviction cases and defending those in respect of Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions.

In 2021, I moved to the Civil department as a Paralegal. Since my move, I have gained substantial experience in assisting those in Actions Against Public Authority cases, namely, complaints against the police as well, as helping and representing families throughout the inquest process when families have lost loved ones after involvement with mental health services, the police or whilst detained in prison.

Notable Cases:

TEWV Public Inquiry

I have been involved in supporting families affected by the multiple failures in patient care at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust, which resulted in preventable deaths. My work has involved supporting families in inquest proceedings and advocating for a Statutory Public Inquiry into TEWV to ensure accountability, transparency, and meaningful reform in mental health services. I am now actively involved in the public inquiry.

Lewis Richardson Inquest

I represented the family of Lewis Richardson, a 29-year-old man who tragically died in his flat in Redcar on December 26, 2021, six days after being discharged from Roseberry Park Hospital. Lewis had a history of ADHD, psychosis, and substance use, and his family believe he was failed by multiple services, including the NHS Trust and housing providers.

The inquest heard that Lewis struggled with his mental health for many years and had multiple hospital admissions. Despite his discharge, concerns were raised about the suitability of his accommodation. Lewis was found dead at home, with post mortem results confirming hanging and the presence of alcohol and cocaine.

The coroner concluded that Lewis died while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, but his precise intention was unknown. His family continue to believe that failures in care and housing contributed to his death.