Being told that a coroner will hold an inquest into the death of someone close to you can be daunting, particularly at a time when you are still coming to terms with the loss.
An inquest is not a trial and nobody is on trial. It is an investigation held to establish who died, and how, when and where they died. For many families it is the only opportunity they will have to ask questions about what happened and to receive answers on the record.
Our solicitors support families through the inquest process, from the coroner’s first contact through to the conclusion of the hearing. We act for families across London and the wider UK as part of our wider team of personal injury solicitors in London, and we handle every enquiry with care and complete confidentiality.
Facing an Inquest? Contact Us Today
If a coroner is investigating the death of someone close to you, early legal advice can help you understand what is happening and make sure your family’s questions are put properly.
Our inquest solicitors can help you to:
- Understand the coroner’s role and what an inquest can and cannot decide
- Establish whether you are recognised as an interested person
- Prepare for pre-inquest hearings and the inquest itself
- Make sure the right questions are asked of the right witnesses
- Represent your family at the hearing so you do not have to speak alone
Speak to our team today to discuss your circumstances.
What Is an Inquest?
An inquest is a public investigation held by a coroner to find out the facts about a death. It is held in the coroner’s court and it is not a criminal or civil case.
The purpose of an inquest is to answer four questions: who the person was, and how, when and where they died. An inquest does not decide whether any individual or organisation is legally to blame, and it cannot award compensation.
That does not mean the outcome is unimportant. What is said and recorded at an inquest often matters a great deal to families, and the evidence heard can influence what happens afterwards.
Families are usually recognised by the coroner as interested persons. That status carries certain rights, including the ability to see relevant documents, to suggest witnesses and to ask questions at the hearing.
When Is an Inquest Held?
A death is referred to a coroner in a number of situations. A coroner will usually investigate where a death appears to have been violent or unnatural, where the cause of death is unknown, or where the person died in custody or another form of state detention.
Not every referral leads to an inquest. In some cases the coroner is able to establish the cause of death without one — for example after a post-mortem examination — and the investigation is closed.
Where an inquest does go ahead, the coroner will normally open it shortly after the death and then adjourn it, so that the full investigation can take place before the final hearing. That gap can be considerable, and families are often left waiting without a clear explanation of what happens next. We can keep you informed throughout.
What Happens at an Inquest?
Before the Hearing
Much of the important work happens before anyone sets foot in court. The coroner gathers evidence, which may include medical records, witness statements, expert reports and the results of a post-mortem examination.
In more complex cases, the coroner may hold one or more pre-inquest review hearings. These deal with practical matters such as which witnesses will be called, what issues the inquest will examine, and whether a jury is needed. Decisions taken at this stage shape the scope of the whole inquest, which is why being represented early can be valuable.
At the Hearing
The inquest is held in public. The coroner leads the questioning of witnesses, and interested persons — including the family, or their solicitor — may then ask questions of their own.
Some inquests are heard by the coroner alone. Others are heard with a jury, which applies in particular circumstances set out in law, including certain deaths in custody or state detention.
The Coroner’s Conclusion
At the end of the inquest, the coroner or jury records a conclusion about how the person died. Short-form conclusions include findings such as accident, natural causes, suicide and unlawful killing, and an open conclusion may be recorded where the evidence is insufficient. In some cases a longer narrative conclusion is given, setting out the circumstances in more detail.
Reports to Prevent Future Deaths
Where the evidence reveals a risk that other deaths could occur in similar circumstances, a coroner has a duty to write to the organisation concerned. The organisation must respond, setting out what it will do in response.
For many families this is one of the most meaningful parts of the process — the point at which something changes as a result of what happened.
Inquests Involving the State
Where a person has died in prison, in police custody, while detained under mental health legislation, or in other circumstances where the state may have had a responsibility to protect them, the inquest may be wider in scope. Rather than simply asking by what means the person died, it may examine the broader circumstances that led to the death.
These inquests are usually more complex. The organisations involved are almost always legally represented, and families can find themselves the only people in the room without a solicitor. If your family is facing an inquest of this kind, we would encourage you to seek advice early.
Do You Need a Solicitor at an Inquest?
There is no requirement to have a solicitor at an inquest, and some families choose to attend without one.
Where other parties are represented, however, the balance in the courtroom can feel uneven. Hospitals, employers, care providers and public bodies will usually instruct their own lawyers, and they will be well prepared for the issues the coroner intends to examine.
Inquest representation means your family has someone whose only concern is your interests. In practice, that involves reviewing the evidence in advance, identifying the questions that matter to you, making submissions to the coroner about the scope of the inquest, and asking questions of witnesses on your behalf, so that you are not required to do so yourself unless you wish to.
Inquests and Civil Claims
An inquest cannot award compensation. Where a death may have been caused by negligence, that is dealt with separately through a civil claim.
The two are closely connected in practice. Evidence given at an inquest is often central to a later claim, and decisions made about the scope of the inquest can affect what evidence comes to light. Where a claim may follow, it is helpful for the same team to be involved throughout.
If you would like to understand what a claim might involve, who is able to bring one and what it can cover, please see our page on fatal injury claims.
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How Our Inquest Solicitors Can Help
We understand that the inquest process can feel impersonal at a time when your family needs the opposite. Our role is to take the procedural burden away from you and make sure your voice is heard.
We can:
- Explain the coroner’s process and what to expect at each stage
- Apply for interested person status on your behalf where needed
- Review the evidence gathered by the coroner and identify gaps
- Prepare for and attend pre-inquest review hearings
- Make submissions about the scope of the inquest and which witnesses should be called
- Prepare you and other family members for what the hearing will involve
- Represent you at the inquest and question witnesses on your behalf
- Advise on what the conclusion means and what options may follow
Where it is easier for you, we can meet at your home or in hospital, and we can arrange an independent interpreter if English is not your first language.
Why Choose TV Edwards?
- Experience in coronial work. Inquests are handled by solicitors within our dedicated personal injury team who are familiar with the coroner’s court.
- Continuity through what follows. Where a civil claim may arise, the same team can advise, so you are not repeating your story to a second firm.
- A compassionate approach. We take instructions sensitively and at your pace, and we prepare families properly for what a hearing involves.
- An established London firm. We have supported clients across London and the wider UK for many years.
- Clear communication. Inquests can be slow. You will always know who is handling your case, what stage it has reached and what happens next.
- Practical support. Home and hospital visits and independent interpreters are available where they would help.
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Inquest Solicitor FAQs
What is the purpose of an inquest?
An inquest is held to establish the facts of a death: who the person was, and how, when and where they died. It is an investigation rather than a trial. A coroner cannot decide that a particular person or organisation is legally to blame, and cannot award compensation. What an inquest can do is put the circumstances on the public record, give families the opportunity to ask questions, and identify risks that might lead to further deaths if left unaddressed.
Do I have to attend the inquest?
No. Attending is a personal decision and there is no obligation to be there. Some families find it important to hear the evidence for themselves; others find it too difficult. If you are represented, your solicitor can attend, ask questions on your behalf and report back to you afterwards, so you can be involved to whatever extent feels right for you.
Can an inquest lead to a compensation claim?
An inquest does not award compensation, but the evidence heard can be significant if a family later decides to pursue a civil claim. In some cases a claim is investigated alongside the inquest rather than after it. You can read more about the claims process on our page covering fatal injury claims.
