Attending the inquest into the death of a loved one can be an incredibly difficult and upsetting process. Our specialist inquest solicitors have the care and expertise to ensure that you, your family and any other interested party feel supported and are able to get the answers that you need at this difficult time.
While an inquest does not determine fault or liability for someone’s death, it plays a crucial role in holding individuals or organizations accountable. It also helps ensure that necessary steps are taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. In some cases, an inquest may be the first step toward pursuing a claim for damages against an employer, hospital, or medical professional.
Our specialist team are on hand to support and guide you through the process. You can call us on 0333 240 7373 or contact Reeds Solicitors LLP on info@reeds.com.
When does an Inquest take place?
The coroner will call an inquest when someone has died in a violent or unnatural way. If it is suspected that the state caused, contributed to or failed to prevent the death of a person, the coroner will call what is known as an ‘Article 2 Inquest.’
The state will be legally represented, and consideration will be given to any legal frameworks which surrounded your loved one at the material time of their death and whether there was a failing on the part of the state in accordance with them.
Do I need a Solicitor?
We would always recommend you having legal representation, especially if you have concerns around the circumstances of your loved one’s death.
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.
The Process
The coroner will open an inquest when there is reasonable suspicion that a person has died unnaturally or after the first postmortem examination it cannot be concluded how the individual has died.
The purpose of the inquest is for the coroner and the persons loved ones to understand the circumstances of the persons death. In order to do so, the coroner has 4 questions it must answer –
- Who was the individual?
- How did they die?
- Where did they die?
- When did they die?
It is a public enquiry and so the press and other interested persons are able to attend and report.
The date for the inquest will usually be set within 6 months of the persons death.
A Pre-Inquest Review may be held, so that the coroner is able to identify what evidence, or witnesses are required to attend and what issues will need be addressed, together with when the inquest will be heard. You will usually receive an agenda in advance of this hearing, so you will be aware of what is set to be discussed. Again, we can represent you at this hearing and take the stress and worry of such proceedings away as far as is possible.
Sometimes, the coroner will ask members of the family or interested parties to make statements. These can be read out at the hearing, and we can help with the drafting of this document.
Alternatively, you may want to prepare ‘a pen portrait’ to help commemorate your loved one. This will help the coroner know more about your loved ones, their likes, and dislikes etc. They can be submitted in video format, include images and music to best personalise to your loved one.
During the hearing, the coroner will lead the questioning of the witnesses. Other int persons can ask questions and other witnesses who may be legal represented can also ask questions.
The coroner can issue an interim death certificate on a person’s passing, but a final death certificate cannot be prepared until conclusion of inq.
The Team
Sarah Griffiths-Jones is an accredited Mental Health Solicitor with over 15 year’s experience of representing those detained under the Mental Health Act. She also has a wealth of experience of representing people in the Police Station and Criminal Courts. As such, we can confidently help the families of people who have died in –
- Psychiatric Hospitals
- Following discharge from the Mental Health Act
- Whilst detained in Care settings
- In Prison
- In Police Custody
- Following contact with the police
We have strong relationships with Barristers Chambers who lead in the field of Inquests work and as such, expert advice and representation for the most complex matters is always on hand.
How do I pay for my representation?
Certain cases attract non means tested legal funding if the Article 2 right is triggered in the circumstances of a person’s death. Article 2 will usually apply if a person has died whilst in the care of the state, be that in a Psychiatric Hospital, a Care home, Prison, Police custody etc.
Our Solicitors will be able to advise if you are eligible for legal funding and assist you in the process of applying for same.
If you are not eligible for legal funding, then we are able to represent you on a privately paying basis. This can be tailored to your need, be that in the initial preparatory work up to the Inquest, or alternatively, up to and including the hearing itself.
Please contact our team for a supportive and informal discussion, we always treat every case with sensitivity. Our specialist team are on hand to support and guide you through the process. You can call us on 0333 240 7373 or contact Reeds Solicitors LLP on info@reeds.com.
General Enquiries
