What happens at the inquest?
An inquest is an investigation into the facts of how your relative has died. A coroner will look at different information and decide the cause of death. The coroner will tell the next of kin, or the personal representative, when your relative’s inquest will take place.
What is the purpose of the inquest?
An inquest is a public judicial inquiry to find the answers to a limited but important set of questions: Who the deceased was. When and where they died. The medical cause of their death.
What is a judicial inquest?
inquest, judicial inquiry by a group of persons appointed by a court. The most common type is the inquest set up to investigate a death apparently occasioned by unnatural means. Witnesses are examined, and a special jury returns a verdict on the cause of death.
What is an inquest hearing?
Inquest hearings are held by a coroner (similar to a court hearing) to establish the cause of death, particularly where there has been a sudden violent or traumatic death. They can also occur if the fatality’s cause was unexpected or is unknown following a post-mortem.
What happens after an inquest?
At the end of the Inquest, the Coroner will give his/her Conclusion and this will appear on the final Death Certificate. The death can then be officially registered.
Why does a case go to coroners court?
A Coroner must investigate a death in his/her jurisdiction if there is reason to suspect that: The death is violent or unnatural. The cause of death is unknown. The death occurred whilst the deceased person was in custody (such as a prison, police cell or psychiatric hospital)
Are inquests valid?
Inquests are public hearings and can be held with or without juries – both are considered equally valid. Under Rule 8 of the Coroners (Inquest) Rules 2013, Coroners are required to complete an inquest within 6 months of the date on which the Coroner is made aware of the death, or as soon as is reasonably practicable.
How long does an inquest take?
If a coroner decides an inquest is necessary it does not mean that all the practical issues have to be delayed until the inquest is complete. The investigations for inquests can sometimes take weeks or even months depending on the complexity of the case.
How long does a inquest take?
Inquest hearings can last anything from 30 minutes to several days or weeks. It depends what has happened and what issues need to be explored.
Can you sue after an inquest?
A fatal claim can either be brought after an inquest, or it can be brought in circumstances where no inquest was held, as a standalone claim. The claims process is intended to provide compensation when someone has died as a result of negligence.
Who decides if there is an inquest?
Coroner considers information and decides as to whether an Inquest is required. The Coroner can either request more information (and opens a preliminary “Investigation”) or decide there and then that an Inquest is required. The Inquest is “Opened and Adjourned for further investigations”. 3.
Why have an inquest into a death?
An inquest is an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a death. The purpose of the inquest is to find out who the deceased person was and how, when and where they died and to provide the details needed for their death to be registered.