Why would an inquest be held?
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. It is not a trial.
What happens in an 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 are court inquests?
An inquest is a judicial inquiry in common law jurisdictions, particularly one held to determine the cause of a person’s death. Conducted by a judge, jury, or government official, an inquest may or may not require an autopsy carried out by a coroner or medical examiner.
Do families attend inquest?
The family and other interested persons can be represented by a lawyer but it is not a requirement and most inquests take place without such representation. It is not necessary for the bereaved relatives to attend the inquest if they do not wish to as sometimes the death may need to be dealt with in graphic terms.
Can you see inquest records?
All coroner inquest records are closed to the public for 75 years, although next of kin can apply for access. Look for the coroner’s name under the ’cause of death’ column in a death certificate which indicates a coroner’s inquest took place.
What are the types of inquest?
There are 5 different types of inquests: Police inquest. Magistrate inquest. Coroner inquest….In India we only conduct police and magistrate inquest.
- Police Inquest.
- Magistrate Inquest.
- Coroner’s Inquest.
- Medical Examiner System.
- Procurator Fiscal.
Are inquests published UK?
All inquests are public and anyone can attend. Reports of an inquest may be published in national and local newspapers, but in practice only a minority of inquests are actually reported.
Who is present at an inquest?
Inquests are held in open court. That means that any friends and family of the deceased are welcome. The Coroner will often require one particular member of the family to attend. This will be the person who made the background statement to the Police, which means it may not be the closest relative or next of kin.
Can family ask questions at an inquest?
GIVING EVIDENCE AT AN INQUEST The Coroner will usually ask questions of witnesses giving evidence in person. Questions can also be asked by family members, or by other interested parties.
Can you read coroners reports?
All inquests are public and anyone can attend. Reports of an inquest may be published in national and local newspapers, but in practice only a minority of inquests are actually reported. You can get a copy of an inquest report from the Coroner’s Office when the inquest has concluded.
Where are inquest records kept?
London Metropolitan Archives
London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) holds coroners’ records for the City of London and Southwark and for the former counties of London and Middlesex and, from 1965, for Greater London.
Where does an inquest take place in the UK?
In large cities there will be a coroner’s court. Some towns and smaller cities have a coroner’s court but in many areas, this is not the case. In smaller towns, the inquest may take place in a magistrates’ court or a room in town hall. Sometimes, a jury inquest may take place in a crown court.
What happens at an inquest if you dont know what happened?
An inquest will happen if they don’t know how your relative died or if their death was unnatural. The coroner will not investigate all deaths. If your relative died in a psychiatric ward, prison or in police custody, there may need to be a wider Article 2 inquest. Coroners should keep you involved.
Is there a waiting room at a coroner’s inquest?
Facilities are different around the country. Some coroner’s courts have private waiting areas for friends and family. If the inquest will take some time the coroner may make a waiting room available for the family. Speak to your solicitor or the coroner’s office if you would like a waiting room to be available.
Do you have to wait in the same area at inquests?
Other coroner’s courts will not have any separate areas at all, so you may have to wait in the same area as people who were involved in your relative’s death. This may be distressing. You can ask the coroner’s court about this before the inquest.