Losing a loved one is devastating and facing an inquest on top of that can feel overwhelming. Many families feel unsure about what will happen, why an inquest is needed, or how best to prepare. Our Inquest Team is here to guide you through every step with compassion, respect, and clear, practical advice.
We support families who want to understand what happened, ensure their loved one’s voice is heard, and feel confident during the inquest process.
When you get in touch with us, our first priority is to listen. We want to understand your concerns, your questions, and what matters most to you. We explain the inquest process in clear, straightforward language so you know what to expect and feel more in control of what happens next.
Families often tell us that the process can feel intimidating or confusing. We guide you through each step, help you understand the evidence, and make sure you feel supported throughout. If you choose to have us represent you, we speak on your behalf at hearings, ask the necessary questions, and ensure your loved one’s story is heard with the respect it deserves.
You will always be kept fully informed, and we will never overwhelm you with legal jargon. Our role is to provide reassurance as well as expert guidance, giving you confidence that the process is being handled carefully and professionally.
If you are facing an inquest and are unsure where to turn, we are here to help. Reaching out to us is simply the start of a conversation; no pressure, no obligation, just compassionate support at a time when you need it most.
Contact:
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How An Inquest Solicitor Can Help
When you come to us for help with an inquest, our role is to guide you through the process and make sure your loved one’s death is explored fully and fairly. We explain clearly what the inquest will cover, help you understand the evidence, and make sure you feel supported rather than overwhelmed.
A large part of what we do involves gathering and reviewing information. We obtain medical records, incident reports, witness statements and any other relevant documents. We look closely at the details so you don’t have to face them alone, and we highlight anything that should be explored further at the hearing. If there are questions you want answered, we help you shape these into clear, focused points the Coroner can consider.
We also handle communication with the Coroner’s office and the other organisations involved. This includes dealing with correspondence, responding to requests, and keeping track of deadlines and disclosure. Families often tell us this takes a huge weight off their shoulders, as it means they can focus on navigating their grief and not on the administrative burden.
Ahead of the hearing, the Coroner will often invite the family to provide a short “pen portrait” to help the court understand who their loved one was as a person. A pen portrait is a simple, personal statement that shares something of their character, their life, and what they meant to those around them. We can help you to prepare a pen portrait that feels true to them and comfortable for you to present. If you’re unsure where to begin, we guide you gently through the process, helping you decide what to include, shaping your thoughts into clear and meaningful wording, and ensuring the portrait reflects your loved one with warmth and dignity.
When it comes to the hearing itself, we can represent you throughout. We speak on your behalf, raise issues that matter to you, and put questions to witnesses to ensure all relevant facts are explored. Our role is to make sure the Coroner hears the full picture and that your loved one’s circumstances are understood with sensitivity and accuracy. We also provide support during the hearing, helping you understand what is being discussed and checking in with you if anything feels unclear or upsetting.
After the inquest, we can explain the Coroner’s findings in plain, straightforward terms and talk through what they mean for you. If there are recommendations, further steps, or other routes you may wish to consider, such as complaints, regulatory investigations or potential civil claims, we will outline your options carefully and help you decide what feels right for your family.
Everything we do is aimed at giving you clarity, guidance and reassurance. You won’t face the process alone, and you will always know that someone is standing beside you, making sure your questions are heard and your interests are protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
An Inquest is a public fact-finding inquiry conducted by a Coroner to establish four specific facts: who the deceased was, and when, where, and how they came by their death. It is an “inquisitorial” process, meaning its purpose is to establish the truth of what happened, rather than to apportion blame or criminal liability.
It is not a requirement to have a solicitor, in order to take part in an inquest. Some families choose to attend and ask questions themselves.
However, many families find it useful to have legal support, particularly if the circumstances of the death are complex or where other organisations are represented by lawyers, which is often the case.
Our solicitors have a wealth of experience around the duty of care which is expected in the detention and treatment of a loved one and will be able to explain that and assess and challenge any shortfall. This is incredibly important when the facts about your loved one’s death is being investigated.
We will also be able to liaise with the coroner on your behalf, obtain all relevant information pertinent to the inquest and in turn, make submissions and question witnesses on your behalf.
Other interested parties, be that the Hospital, Prison, Police will be legal represented throughout and many family members naturally then feel uncomfortable being unrepresented in such circumstances.
Time is obviously of the essence in matters such as these and whilst we appreciate you are suffering the most difficult of experiences, we would encourage you to contact us as soon as you feel able so that we are able to progress matters on your behalf and to ensure that you are then able to have time and privacy to grieve for your loved one, whilst we progress matters for you.
A solicitor can support you through the process, and ensure your concerns are properly addressed.
They can explain what to expect, guide you through the evidence, and help you understand any legal issues that may arise. If necessary, they can help you to prepare a statement for the coroner, setting out your views, and prepare questions on your behalf to be asked during the inquest.
Most importantly, having a solicitor means you have someone there to support and represent your interests during what is already a very difficult and emotional time.
A post-mortem (also known as an autopsy) is usually carried out shortly after a person dies to determine the medical cause of death. It is a medical examination conducted by a pathologist on behalf of the coroner.
Family members do not usually attend the post-mortem itself. However, you are entitled to be represented, and a pathologist can attend on your behalf where appropriate.
If you have any questions or concerns about a post-mortem or how it has been carried out, please get in touch.
In some cases, the coroner may ask family members to provide a written statement. This is an opportunity to share important information about your loved one, and any views you may have regarding their death. It is also a good opportunity to raise any concerns you have.
Writing a statement can feel difficult, particularly at such an emotional time. A solicitor can help you prepare a clear and structured statement that ensures your voice is heard.
We frequently assist family members with drafting statements. If you would like support with this, please feel free to get in touch.
Yes, we can. In some cases, families may wish to raise concerns about the care or treatment their loved one received, for example with the NHS, a care provider, the police, or a prison service.
We can support you in preparing a clear and structured complaint, ensuring your concerns are properly set out and addressed.
There are two types of inquests, a Jamieson inquest and a Middleton inquest. A Middleton inquest is otherwise known as an Article 2 inquest.
An Article 2 inquest will be held in circumstances where the death may involve a failing of the state, such as an unnatural death in prison, police custody, or whilst someone is detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983.
In these circumstances, the inquest has a broader scope than usual, and the coroner can look at the wider circumstances surrounding the death, not just how the person died.
Whether an Article 2 inquest is necessary is a complicated and a fact-specific question. We offer tailored advice on whether an Article 2 inquest may be required in your case. Where appropriate, we can also prepare written submissions to the coroner on your behalf, to help ensure that the scope of the inquest properly reflects the issues.
If you would like further information or to discuss your situation, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Once a coroner has opened an inquiry into a death, it is then their duty to gather the required evidence. This may include medical records, witness statements or reports from professionals. If you consider there is any further evidence that the coroner should see before the inquest goes ahead, that they have not yet seen, we can support you in making submissions to the coroner.
In some cases, there may be a pre-inquest review hearing. This takes place before the final inquest at which the coroner may decide, amongst other things, what evidence is needed, which witnesses will attend, and how the inquest will be conducted. We often represent family members throughout this.
The final inquest hearing is where the evidence is considered, and the coroner (or the jury) will hear the evidence and reach a conclusion. We understand this process can feel overwhelming. We are here to guide and support you at each stage.
Legal Aid may be available to cover the legal costs of preparing for an inquest (Legal Help), as well as for legal representation at the inquest itself (Exceptional Case Funding). However, it is not automatically granted.
There are a number of different criteria and funding routes that may apply, depending on your individual circumstances. If you would like to understand whether you may be eligible, please get in touch and we can talk this through with you.
At the end of an inquest, the coroner (or sometimes the jury) will reach a conclusion about how the relevant person died.
This may be a short-form conclusion, such as natural causes, accident, suicide or unlawful killing. In some cases, the coroner may consider that a short form conclusion is not sufficient, and may instead give a narrative conclusion which provides a more detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding the death.
It is important to understand that an inquest does not decide criminal or civil liability, and it does not find blame.
If during an inquest, the coroner becomes concerned that the evidence being presented shows there is a risk of future deaths, the coroner has a duty to write to the relevant person, organisation or government department to ask them to take preventative action.
A paper inquest is an inquest that is decided by the coroner based on written evidence only, without the need for a full court hearing.
This usually happens where the facts of the death are not in dispute (for example if the deceased died of natural causes) and the coroner does not need to hear live evidence from witnesses or ask questions.
If you are a family member, you will usually be informed and given the opportunity to raise any concerns or request a full hearing if you feel one is needed.
If you are unsure about whether a paper inquest is appropriate in your situation, please get in touch and we can advise you.
An “Interested Person” is a formal legal status granted by the Coroner to those with a significant link to the deceased or the circumstances of the death. As an IP, you or your organisation have the right to receive copies of the evidence (disclosure) and to question witnesses at the hearing.
An Inquest cannot find you “guilty” of a crime or “liable” for a civil claim. However, the evidence you give is public and can be used as the basis for future criminal charges or civil negligence claims. It is essential to have legal advice before providing a statement or testifying to ensure your professional reputation and legal interests are protected.
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