Inquests

The primary objectives of an inquest are to establish where, when and how someone died – as well as their identity, if not already known. The Coroner’s Court differs from a civil court in that it’s not allowed to make judgements on who is to blame for the death (if anyone), only to establish the circumstances surrounding it.

However, at the conclusion of the investigation, the Coroner may choose to make official recommendations in an effort to ensure that lessons are learned from the tragedy, which may help to prevent future deaths.

At Farleys, we have a wealth of experience in assisting families at this difficult time, and our solicitors are here to provide you with professional support and in-depth legal advice, distinguished by our compassion, empathy, and dedication to ensuring justice is done for your loved one. Inquest law and procedures can be complex and daunting, but our team will do everything in their power to ensure that you are supported and fully informed at all times. Crucially, we can advise you on how to engage with the process in order to gain as much information as possible within the scope of the inquest.

Dealing with a loss is difficult enough without the additional worry of having been financially dependent on the deceased. Although an inquest will not determine blame, it can result in findings which support a decision to proceed with a subsequent compensation claim. Where this sort of claim is appropriate, Farleys can also assist you in obtaining compensation for your financial loss.

Our expert solicitors regularly deal with dependency claims following an inquest, so we can support you through every stage of the process. This saves you from the trauma involved in explaining the circumstances surrounding the death, as we’ll already be familiar with the details of the case and well equipped to bring the civil claim.

An experienced inquest solicitor can assist in a variety of areas, including:

• Helping to secure vital evidence to initiate an inquest
• Questioning key witnesses to help build a clearer picture of the circumstances of your loved one’s death. This includes not just bystanders, but also potentially police, paramedics, medical experts, and others
• Address matters of law and submit questions to the Coroner on the family’s behalf
• Arrange for a second post-mortem (if necessary)
• Dealing with the media on the family’s behalf, such as by preparing official statements to the press
• Pursuing a civil claim if the death was found to be avoidable, and advising the family on how best to proceed
• Helping to secure necessary funding for the inquest, such as Legal Aid (if applicable)

In the case of inquests that are relatively straightforward, many families decide not to appoint a solicitor, especially if they feel confident enough asking questions themselves.

However, getting expert legal representation is generally strongly advised in more complex cases, especially for Article 2 inquests. The Coroner may call for an Article 2 inquest if there’s a possibility that the state may have had responsibility for your loved one’s death – such as if they died in police custody, or in prison, or in unusual circumstances at a hospital. The state will always have legal representation in Article 2 cases, so by the same token, it’s always best to ensure you have professional legal expertise with your own interests in mind.