Inquests Following a Death Involving the Police

When a death involving the police has occurred, government legal funding is often available for the preparation of the inquest proceedings. A member of our team will discuss this with you at your initial appointment, and we’ll be able to advise you further on your individual circumstances.

In addition to help in preparing for an inquest, you may also be entitled to funding to cover the costs of a solicitor and a barrister to represent you at the inquest hearing. Again, this will be discussed at the earliest opportunity by an experienced member of our team.

You’re not legally required to use an inquest solicitor for an inquest, but it’s highly advisable. Families who choose to represent themselves at an inquest can often find that the process can take an immense toll on their mental and emotional health – and when you’re still processing your own personal feelings of grief and loss, that pressure can start to become overwhelming.

Our legal expertise here at Farleys can help to relieve this pressure, giving you the time and space you need to grieve, as we focus on getting you the answers you deserve about your loved one’s death. This is especially true for Article 2 inquests, in which the authorities will have their own legal representation – so it’s always best to have in-depth legal expertise on your side, too.

An Article 2 inquest is an investigation into the death of a person who was under the charge of a state institution at the time of their death, such as a hospital, prison, or police station. In cases like these, the state is automatically subject to scrutiny about its level of culpability over the death of someone in its care.

Article 2 investigations often have a particular focus on the circumstances of the person’s death.

The Coroner will declare an Article 2 inquest if the case involves someone who has died:

• In police custody
• As the result of lethal force from a police officer
• During or immediately following some form of contact with the police

If a breach of Article 2 is found to have occurred, you may be able to bring a compensation claim under the Human Rights Act.

There are a number of ways that the police can be judged to have directly or indirectly caused the death of someone in their custody.

Article 2 inquests may investigate instances of:

• Inappropriate use of force by police officers, including excessive physical force, or inappropriate deployment of Tasers
• A death during a police pursuit
• A death of someone in the station, or in police custody
• Medical deaths where police failed to respond appropriately or in a timely enough manner, such as by arranging the necessary treatment
• Suicide in police custody, or following police contact

Whatever the circumstances of your own loved one’s death, you can count on us here at Farleys to support you every step of the way, providing in-depth legal expertise and assistance as we help you get the answers you deserve.

An experienced inquest solicitor – like our experts here at Farleys – can assist families in a range of areas, including (but not limited to):

• Helping to secure evidence to initiate an inquest
• Questioning key witnesses – including not just bystanders but potentially professionals like police, paramedics, medical experts and others
• Addressing legal matters, and submitting questions to the Coroner on the family’s behalf
• If necessary, arranging for a second post-mortem
• Dealing with the media (if applicable), such as by preparing statements
• If the death was found to be avoidable, an inquest solicitor can help the family pursue a civil claim, and provide in-depth advice on how to proceed