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Stephen Lawrence murdered
The 18 year old is stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths as he waits at a bus stop in Eltham, south-east London, with his friend Duwayne Brooks -
Suspects Identified
The day after the murder, a letter giving the name of the suspects is left in a telephone box. Police surveillance begins on their homes four days later. -
Family express frustrations
Stephen's family hold a press conference to complain not enough is being done to catch the killers. They meet Nelson Mandela two days later. -
Suspects arrested and two charged
Police arrest brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, David Norris, Gary Dobson and Luke Knight, and search their homes. Neil Acourt and Luke Knight are identified by Duwayne Brooks at ID parades as part of the gang responsible and the pair are charged with murder. They deny the charges. -
Charges dropped
The CPS drops the prosecution as it says the ID evidence from Duwayne Brooks is unreliable. -
Inquest halted
The Southwalk coroner, Sir Montague Levine, halts an inquest into Stephen's death after the family's barrister, Michael Mansfield QC, says there is "dramatic" new evidence. -
CPS refuses to prosecute
There is insufficient evidence to bring charges based on the new evidence, which was believed to be the identification of further suspects - the CPS says. -
Private prosecution launched
Stephen's parents, Doreen and Neville Lawrence, launch a private prosecution against Gary Dobson, Luke Knight, and Neil Acourt. All three deny the charges. A provate prosecution is the same as a standard criminal trail but not brought by the CPS. -
Police surveillance
Covert video shot over several days in Dobson's flat captures him and Norris ising strong racist and violent language. Neil Acourt and Luke Knight are also caught on camera using violent and racist language -
Private prosecution fails
The murder trial begins against Neil Acourt, Luke Knight and Gary Dobson at the Old Bailey. But the case collapses when Mr Justice Curtis rules that identification evidence from Brooks is inadmissible. All three are acquitted. -
Inquest verdict
The inquest resumes and the five suspects refuse to answer questions.A verdict of unlawful killing "in a completely unprovoked racist attack by five youths" is delivered by Sir Montague. -
Daily Mail front page
The Daily Mail newspaper uses its front page to name the five men it says killed Stephen Lawrence. It invites them to sue if it is wrong. -
Police Complaints Authority investigation
The Kent Constabulary launches its probe into police conduct, which nine months later highlights "significant weaknesses, omissions and lost opportunities". But it says there is no evidence of racist conduct. -
Public inquiry announced
Home Secretary Jack Straw says there will be a judicial inquiry into the killing and subsequent investigation - to identify lessons for police in dealing with racially-motivated crimes. It will be chaired by Sir William Macpherson, a retired High Court judge. -
Inquiry opens
The five suspects are told to give evidence or face prosecution, In June, they appear and are pelted with bottles by protesters as they leave after being accused of being evasive. -
Police apology
The Lawrence family call on the Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Condon to resign. He apologises to them when he appears in October, admitting there had been failures. -
Macpherson report published
It accuses the Metropolitan Police of institutional racism and makes 70 recommendations, many aimed at improving police attitudes to racism. It also includes some proposals for changes in the law, including strengthening the Race Relations Act to try to clamp down on discrimination. -
Norris jailed
David Norris and former suspect Neil Acourt are jailed for 18 months for a racist attack on an off-duty police officer in Eltham in 2001. Norris, a passenger in a car driven by Acourt, threw a drink and shouted racist abuse at the black officer. -
Trial ruled out
The CPS finally announces there is insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone for Stephen's murder following a review. -
Double jeopardy scapped
Government drops the legal principle which prevents suspects being tried twice for the same crime. -
BBC Documentary
A BBC documentary investigating the case raises fresh questions about the prime suspects, prompting the Metropolitan Police to review their evidence. In October 2007, the Independent Police Complaints Commission says it has found no evidence of wrong-doing by an officer as alleged in part of the documentary. -
Forensics review
Police confirm they are investigating new forensic evidence in the case after a police review, staffed by 32 officers, was launched the previous summer. It examined evidence gathered at the time, looking at opportunities to use new technology to find leads. -
Memorial open
Doreen Lawrence opens a £10m architecture centre in honour of her son. Two weeks later vandals smash its windows in a suspected racist attack. -
Report anniversary
Ten years on from the Macpherson inquiry, a report from a member of its panel, Dr Richard Stone, says the police have made significant progress in reforming but charges of racism remain. Justice Secretary Jack Straw says the Met is no longer institutionally racist, but Stephen's mother says police still fail black Britons. -
Dobson jailed
Gary Dobson starts a five-year jail term for supplying a class B drug after being caught during a sting by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca). -
Two to face trail
Gary Dobson and David Norris are to face trial over the murder of Stephen Lawrence following a review of forensic evidence. The Court of Appeal decides there is enough new and substantial evidence to allow Dobson's acquittal to be quashed. The pair had been charged the previous September. -
Trail begins
The trial of Dobson and Norris begins at the Old Bailey. The jury hears that Stephen's DNA was found on the defendants' clothes. -
Guilty of murder
Dobson and Norris are both found guilty of murder at the end of a six-week trial into the death of Stephen Lawrence. During the trial, the court hears that microscopic evidence found on clothing belonging to the accused links them to the murder. The jury takes two-and-a-half days to reach its decision. Both men receive life sentences; Dobson is jailed for a minimum of 15 years and two months, Norris for 14 years and three months. -
Former police officer 'spied' on Lawrence family
The prime minister calls for an immediate investigation into reports the police wanted to smear Stephen Lawrence's family. The Guardian claims former officer Peter Francis went under cover to infiltrate the family's campaign for justice in 1993. Mr Francis tells the paper and Channel 4's Dispatches programme he was looking for "disinformation" to use against those criticizing the police. -
A new public inquiry
Barrister Mark Ellison-finds that an undercover Met Police officer worked within the "Lawrence family camp" while an inquiry into the handling of the murder was under way; least one detective on the team was corrupt,leading Theresa May to announce a new public inquiry into undercover policing.