Suffering the death of a loved one is always distressing. When an Inquest is called by a Coroner to examine the circumstances surrounding a sudden and unexpected death it is important that the bereaved family have access to the all the evidence available and are given an opportunity to ask questions about how and why their loved one died.
An Inquest is a legal process during which the cause and circumstances of a person’s death are formally examined, usually in public, to establish where, when and how a person died. An Inquest will be held by Her Majesties Coroner (usually a qualified doctor or lawyer), and sometimes with a jury, when a death was:
- Violent or unnatural
- Took place in prison or police custody
- When the cause of death is still uncertain after a post mortem
The bereaved family are entitled to be involved in this process. They have the right to legal representation, ask vital questions and challenge witnesses about the evidence they give to the Coroner.
Our nationwide Inquests team provide access to justice for bereaved families by obtaining disclosure of evidence from the Coroner, gathering expert evidence and other important evidence from third parties including state bodies, advising about the procedure and likely verdicts, and providing representation at the Inquest by an experienced solicitor or barrister.
Legal Aid is not usually available to fund the cost of legal representation for relatives at Inquests but we offer a competitive fee structure for those who want our help and support during what is often a difficult and traumatic process.
Call us on 0845 00 20736 for a no obligation discussion.
