Thread by @SammyInquest

Coroner runs through who is in court and explains a second room in the building is being used for the second court room.

Coroner lists who is in court, Angela Patrick and Anna Moore for family. Jonathan Landau for Kent County Council.

Coroner checking what access has been given to Mr Fitzgerald, attending from Children Services. Mr Landau argues he is an interested person and observing in that capacity.

C: In what capacity, is he giving you instructions then?

JL: he may well be

Coroner confirms also in court a representative for @NELFT Ms Alicia Tew

Discussion about who is attending with her <can't hear>

C: I have no objections to those who sit behind you will have remote link, just want to establish at last hearing was lack of clarity. It's witnesses due to be present, up to those representing how solicitors appear.

C: May be witnesses observing proceedings in second court room, and press, also member of press online.

Coroner wants to reassure family fact some attending remotely and some in person wont make any difference to the decisions she will make.

Coroner gives warnings

C: Before I start because we do have members of the press online, one matter would like to deal with, do have evidence may be heard in members of others. Don't want to refer to Sammy's siblings by name.

C: Coroner has written order to indicate no publication should be made in relation to names of Sammy's siblings and any material that may directly or indirectly lead to their identification. Coroner invites submissions on drafting of order.

AP: Ma'am I think we're all agreed that the identity of Sammy's siblings is not relevant to issues in scope... separate question of whether have power under S39 when children aren't witnesses, if you're satisfied you do family are grateful for you making an order.

AP: Issue for family is siblings simply aren't relevant.

C: Difficult to say whether I do but I can ask the press not to report, Sammy's siblings aren't relevant and shouldn't be referred to. Concerned if witness may use their name in course of evidence.

C: All have been briefed not to use names... it's just incase a name comes out, want to make sure we're protecting their identities in some way. Consider do have power to do so on basis they may form part of proceedings... know approach taken by other coroners

C: Consider safest way to do things to make sure we don't have mention of Sammy's siblings in press.

C: Order made not to identify the names of any children who are Sammy's siblings, any material that might directly or indirectly lead to identification of his siblings, any images of his siblings.

[Much fuller order obviously, can't catch it all]

C: Order made today at 11:30 in open court, will be attached to court doors so everyone is aware.

Before start with evidence we have is there anything arising that needs dealt with?

JL: Ma'am I hope to be brief, few housekeeping matters.

JL: [???] recently added to witness list... he has availability on Friday after court, if we can finish on time on Friday I can have a conference with him then

Next matter I don't think is controversial, my instructing solicitor has asked for clarification on XX

C: Happy for them to be de-warned, was either/or

JL: Early help documentation redaction, discussed with my learned friend... ask my learned friend with her instructing solicitor to disclose

AP: ...proposal discussed at bar is my learned solicitor is redacting as we speak the early help records that might be useful to use with witnesses, lot of duplication, we hope that will reduce material to provide to Ms Tew early afternoon

AP: subject to you seeing them ma'am so you can indicate any further redaction

C: very helpful given they came in late, great assistance if Ms Moore doesn't object to doing that, unlikely to be needed today

AP: if assists we think bulk of information is relevant to Ms Rowe, number of referrals into Children Services would be through Early Help

C: Ms Rowe wont have seen them in preparation for these hearings

AP: no at the time she completed them

C: Any relevant to her, if can have redacted can upload onto bundle on laptop.

Due to social distancing, this is witness stand, we do have bundles downloaded electronically on those.

C: explains electronic bundles safer for social distancing than paper versions

AP: Ma'am I'm very grateful

C: there are rooms in building where counsel can meet their witnesses if required, also designated room for family. If need more space let officers know.

AP: two other small matters of housekeeping, one additional policy document raised by my learned friend Ms Tew, for Kent CC, family agree is relevant item. Mr Landau is I believe taking instructions.

I'm sure we'll have update in due course; unlikely relevant to witnesses today

AP: final matter nomenclature, family are very happy for Samuel to be known and referred to as Sammy, that is how he was known to everyone.

Sammy's mother is Sammy Alban Stanley please refer to as Mrs Alban Stanley. Hope that's helpful ma'am

C: thank you that is helpful

JL: <cant hear>

C: two days at 10:30, every other day is 10am. <cant hear>

C: One thing I have noticed, everyone is aware of, is Friday is particularly heavy. I wondered Prof Dattani can only attend on Friday can't move him. Ms Tew did you want to take instructions about whether one of your witnesses wish to be pushed to Monday instead

C: Monday is particularly light, might be best rather than go part heard over weekend.

AT: I will take instructions, it might be difficult... I'll let them know straight away and find out

AP: Ma'am I think we've addressed this at previous PIR, if there is question about timings for tomorrow and Thursday we raise it now, if there was possibility of sitting little later each day may save some time.

JL: We also raise possibility of Wednesday, originally room wasn't available, is it now?

C: No, not available for logistical reasons, all court staff are having training, but we also have the Monday listed, I don't think we'll need it but we have it.

C: I think the only day we would really struggle is Friday and that's day Mr L has asked we finish on time so he can have a consult

JL will make enquiries about whether can attend another time

Discussion about another witnesses availability

AP: Ms Alban Stanley is not in court room because she doesn't want to hear the first ID statement.

C: my usher has downloaded the powerpoint presentation. One slight issue in terms of when Ms AS is giving evidence from witness box camera will be on her, if my usher presents powerpoint she can't be seen by those following on line. Might need to pause so some photographs shown.

C: What I'll do is read from the identification statement made by Matthew Mitchell. He was employed by family funeral services, provided signed statement dated 6 May 2020. He attended Kings College Hospital where body of Samuel identified to me by photograph provided by family.