What Is An Inquest?
An inquest is the fact finding stage of a coroner’s investigation into certain deaths. Most inquests involve a public hearing, although in suitable straightforward and non-contentious cases a non-jury inquest can be conducted in writing without an inquest hearing. Its purpose is to establish facts about the death rather than decide a dispute between opposing parties.
The investigation will consider who died and how, when and where the death occurred. In some cases, including where the procedural duty under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights applies, the investigation can be broader and consider the circumstances in which the death occurred.
An inquest is not a criminal trial or a civil claim. It does not determine whether somebody is criminally guilty or decide civil liability for the death.
The coroner is responsible for conducting the investigation and deciding which matters fall within its scope. Depending on the circumstances, evidence can include medical records, witness statements, reports, CCTV or body-worn footage and evidence from public bodies.
Families can have an important role in this process. Legal advice can help you understand the evidence, the questions the inquest can address and how you may be able to participate.
Combined years of post-qualified legal experience
Types of Inquests We Can Help With
Every inquest arises from its own circumstances. Some are relatively straightforward, while others involve several public bodies, detailed evidence and questions about the care or treatment someone received before their death.
Our Inquest Law service can support bereaved families in cases involving:
Deaths in prison or state detention
A death in prison or another form of state detention will usually require close examination of the circumstances surrounding the death. Evidence may involve prison records, healthcare provision, risk assessments and decisions made before the person died.
Chivers also has an established Prison Law service, giving us a wider understanding of the prison system where this is relevant to the inquest.
Deaths following police contact
An inquest may examine a death following contact with the police, including circumstances where somebody died during or after detention. These cases can involve evidence from police officers, custody records, CCTV, body-worn video and information from other agencies.
Deaths involving mental health services
Where someone was receiving mental health care before their death, questions may arise about the treatment and support they received. Depending on the circumstances, an inquest may need to consider evidence from healthcare professionals and other services involved in their care.
Deaths involving NHS or other healthcare services
A coroner may investigate a death where there are questions about medical treatment or the care someone received. An inquest can examine relevant evidence about the circumstances of the death, although it does not determine civil liability for medical negligence.
Deaths involving social care, local authorities or other public bodies
Some inquests involve care homes, social services, local authorities or another public authority that had responsibilities towards the person who died. Legal representation can help families understand evidence provided by these organisations and raise relevant questions within the scope set by the coroner.
Certain cases may require a jury. Others may engage Article 2 and require a broader investigation into the circumstances of the death. The form and scope of the inquest will depend on the individual case.
When Might You Need an Inquest Solicitor?
Families do not have to instruct a solicitor simply because an inquest is taking place. Some inquests can be dealt with without legal representation.
There are circumstances where advice can be particularly helpful, especially if the issues surrounding the death are complex or another Interested Person is legally represented.
You may want to speak to an inquest solicitor if a public authority was involved in your family member’s care or detention, you have been invited to a Pre-Inquest Review hearing or you have received a substantial amount of evidence that is difficult to understand.
Advice may also be useful if you have concerns about the proposed scope of the inquest, believe further evidence or witnesses should be considered or want to understand how questions can be put to witnesses.
Families can sometimes find themselves attending an inquest where a hospital, police force, prison, local authority or another organisation has its own legal representatives. Having your own solicitor can provide someone who understands your family’s concerns and can advise on how relevant issues can properly be raised within the coronial process.
Funding should also be checked before assuming that legal advice or representation will be unaffordable.
How Our Inquest Solicitors Can Help
Our role is to help you understand the process and participate effectively where you have a proper role in the investigation.
One of the first issues may be whether you are an Interested Person. This is the legal term used for people and organisations with recognised rights to participate in an inquest. A wide range of close family members can fall within the statutory categories, alongside others with a sufficient interest in the death.
Where appropriate, we can advise on Interested Person status and your family’s involvement in the proceedings.
Reviewing Disclosure & Evidence
Our inquest solicitors can also review disclosure provided during the investigation and explain what the evidence means for the issues being considered. Where evidence appears to be missing or further enquiries may be relevant, we can advise on raising those matters with the coroner.
Pre-Inquest Review Hearings
More complex investigations can involve a Pre-Inquest Review, often shortened to PIR. This is a case-management hearing held before the final inquest. Matters such as the scope of the inquest, Interested Persons, witnesses, disclosure, whether Article 2 is engaged and whether a jury is required can be considered. We can advise you before a PIR and make relevant representations on your behalf.
The Final Inquest Hearing
At the final hearing, witnesses may give evidence and be asked questions. Interested Persons have rights to ask relevant questions, subject to the coroner’s control of the proceedings. Legal representation can help ensure that questions important to your family are raised appropriately and remain within the scope of the inquest.
Depending on the case, our work can include preparing for hearings, advising on evidence, making legal submissions and providing advocacy or arranging appropriate representation at the inquest.
After The Inquest
Once the inquest has concluded, we can explain the conclusion and advise on any further legal issues where appropriate. An inquest conclusion does not itself decide criminal guilt, civil liability or compensation.
What Happens During the Inquest Process?
The process will depend on the circumstances of the death, but it will usually begin when a death is reported to the coroner and the coroner decides that an investigation is required.
The coroner gathers relevant evidence and identifies the issues that need to be investigated. Interested Persons may receive disclosure and have an opportunity to participate as the investigation progresses.
In a more complex case, the coroner may hold one or more Pre-Inquest Review hearings to deal with issues that need to be resolved before the final hearing. Straightforward cases may not require a PIR.
The inquest hearing then considers the relevant evidence. Witnesses may give evidence in person, while some evidence can be dealt with in another way where the legal requirements allow it. Interested Persons or their representatives may ask relevant questions.
At the end of the hearing, the coroner, or a jury where one is required, reaches a conclusion based on the evidence.
The length of the overall process varies considerably. The evidence required, involvement of other investigations and complexity of the issues can all affect when the final inquest takes place.
Legal Aid for Inquests
The cost of legal representation is an understandable concern for families, but you should not assume that you will have to meet every legal cost yourself.
Legal Aid can be available for advice and representation connected with an inquest, depending on the funding rules applying at the time and the circumstances of the case.
The funding system distinguishes between legal advice and assistance before or during the inquest process and funding for representation at the hearing. Different eligibility requirements can apply.
The Hillsborough Law is intended to widen access to publicly funded legal advice and representation for bereaved families in qualifying inquests involving public authorities. The availability of Legal Aid will depend on the funding rules in force at the time of the inquest and the circumstances of the individual case.
Until any new entitlement applies, existing Legal Aid routes remain important. This can include Legal Help for advice and assistance, subject to the applicable requirements, and Exceptional Case Funding for representation at an inquest in qualifying circumstances.
Our team can discuss the circumstances of the inquest with you and explain which funding routes may need to be considered. We will not assume that you qualify for Legal Aid without checking the relevant rules.
The Hillsborough Law & Inquest Legal Aid
The Hillsborough Law would introduce significant changes intended to improve accountability by public authorities and address the imbalance bereaved families can face where a public body has legal representation at an inquest.
The Bill provides for wider publicly funded legal support in qualifying inquests where a public authority is an Interested Person. The exact funding available to a family will depend on the provisions in force at the time of the inquest and the applicable Legal Aid rules.
We have explained the changes, who they are intended to help and the position for bereaved families in our Hillsborough Law and Legal Aid for Inquests guide.
Families should seek advice about the funding position applying to their own case rather than waiting for future changes where an inquest is already under way.
As at September 2026, the Hillsborough Law has not yet been passed and remains subject to the parliamentary process.
Why Choose Chivers Solicitors?
An inquest can involve unfamiliar terminology, detailed evidence and hearings taking place while a family is still dealing with the loss of someone close to them. Our approach is to explain what is happening clearly and help you understand the decisions you may need to make.
At Chivers Solicitors, we provide legal services to individuals and families, with established work across areas including the criminal justice and prison systems. This wider knowledge can be particularly relevant where an inquest concerns a death in prison or another setting involving the state.
We will explain your legal position and advise on the steps that are relevant to your family’s circumstances. Where funding may be available, we can also explain the options that need to be considered.
If you would like to discuss an inquest, call us on 01274 561 666, email us at solicitors@chiverssolicitors.co.uk or fill in our online contact form.
Inquest Solicitors FAQs
What Is an Inquest?
An inquest is part of a coroner’s investigation into certain deaths. It usually takes place at a public hearing, although some non-jury inquests can be concluded in writing. Its purpose is to establish who died and how, when and where the death occurred. In some cases, the circumstances surrounding the death are considered more broadly. An inquest does not determine criminal guilt or civil liability.
Why Has an Inquest Been Opened?
A coroner has a legal duty to investigate certain deaths, including where there is reason to suspect that the person died a violent or unnatural death, the cause of death is unknown or the person died while in custody or state detention. The reason for the investigation will depend on the circumstances of the individual death.
Do I Need a Solicitor for an Inquest?
Not every family needs legal representation at an inquest. Advice may be helpful where the case is complex, a public authority is involved, there is substantial evidence to consider or other Interested Persons have legal representation.
Can Family Members Ask Questions at an Inquest?
Interested Persons have a right to ask relevant questions of witnesses under the coronial rules. The coroner controls questioning and can prevent questions that are irrelevant or otherwise inappropriate. A solicitor can help identify questions that properly address the issues being investigated.
What Is an Interested Person at an Inquest?
An Interested Person is someone who has recognised rights to participate in the coroner’s investigation and inquest. The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 sets out the relevant categories, which include a range of close family members as well as certain organisations and other people with a sufficient interest.
What Is a Pre-Inquest Review Hearing?
A Pre-Inquest Review is a case-management hearing that may be held before the final inquest, particularly in more complex cases. It can deal with matters including the scope of the inquest, witnesses, disclosure, Interested Persons, Article 2 and whether a jury is required.
What Is an Article 2 Inquest?
Article 2 protects the right to life under the European Convention on Human Rights. Where the state’s procedural obligation under Article 2 is engaged, the investigation may need to examine the circumstances surrounding the death more broadly. Whether Article 2 applies depends on the facts and relevant law.
Can I Get Legal Aid for an Inquest?
Legal Aid may be available for advice or representation in connection with an inquest, but the applicable route and eligibility requirements depend on the case and the funding rules in force. Families should have their position checked rather than assuming that they will or will not qualify.
Can an Inquest Decide Who Was Legally Responsible for a Death?
No. An inquest does not determine criminal guilt or civil liability. Its role is to investigate and reach conclusions about the death within the legal scope of the coronial investigation.
How Long Does an Inquest Take?
There is no single timescale. A straightforward investigation may progress relatively quickly, while a case involving extensive evidence, public authorities, expert evidence or other investigations can take considerably longer.
Speak To An Inquest Solicitor
If a coroner is investigating the death of your family member, getting clear advice can help you understand what happens next and how your family can take part.
Chivers Solicitors can advise you on the coronial process, the evidence involved, your family’s participation and legal representation where appropriate. We can also discuss the funding routes that may be available in your circumstances.
Call us on 01274 561 666, email us at solicitors@chiverssolicitors.co.uk, or fill in our online contact form to speak to us about an inquest.
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