Who attends court
Inquests are held in open court. That means that any friends and family of the deceased are welcome.
Family or next of kin
The Coroner will often call a certain member of the family to attend. This will be the person who made the background statement to the Police. It might not be the closest relative or next of kin. If there is another, closer, relative, we will inform them of the date and give them the option to attend. If the Coroner does not call a member of the family, we will still invite the next of kin. We ask the people who receive letters to share the information with other family members.
If we ask a family member to attend court but they would prefer not to come, they can apply to be excused. They should do so in writing, giving their reasons, and the Coroner will make a decision.
If you want to bring someone to support you, you are welcome to do so. This may be a friend, union rep, support worker or minister of religion. They do not need to have known the deceased.
Witnesses
The Coroner will also call other witnesses to attend. This will be different for each case, but may include:
- doctors
- nurses
- police officers
- eyewitnesses
- and any other relevant people
Not everyone who has written a report or made a statement will be present. The Coroner can decide that some pieces of written evidence are simple enough to be admitted on their own.
If you'd like to contact the Coroner about witnesses, send your thoughts in writing to the office.
Children
For obvious reasons, an inquest hearing is not a suitable place for children and young people. The Coroner may allow small babies into the courtroom at their discretion. Please make alternative care arrangements for all other under 16s. Children cannot be left unattended in our waiting room. If a young person under 16 wants to come to a close relative's inquest, the Coroner may allow it. A responsible adult must stay with them.
Press
Because inquests are held in open court, the press and media have the right to attend. But reporters are rarely present. If you do not want to speak to reporters, Court staff can assist. We cannot prevent accounts of the inquest being published or broadcast.
Conflict
If there may be conflict between you and someone else who is attending, please tell us as soon as you are aware. We have procedures that we can put in place to keep people separate and safe.
Juries
At most inquests there is no jury and the Coroner decides the conclusion on their own.
But sometimes a jury is needed. This will happen if:
- your relative died in custody
- your relative died of an unnatural cause
- if their death relates to their own (or someone else's) actions while at work
- if their death relates to certain health and safety issues
- or the Coroner may also decide to use a jury. This will be because they feel it would be helpful or in the public interest
If there will be a jury at your relative's inquest, your Case Officer will let you know well beforehand.
A jury does not change how the inquest runs much. You will notice them in court while all the witnesses give their evidence. At the end of the inquest, a Coroner will give the jury a choice of conclusions and the jury will decide.