Are you a bereaved person? Find out more about how INQUEST can help:
About INQUEST INQUEST is a charity that provides a free advice service to bereaved people on contentious deaths and their investigation with a particular focus on deaths in custody. Casework also informs our research, parliamentary, campaigning and policy work.
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Policy briefings
The medically-qualified practitioner who carries out a post–mortem examination.The medically-qualified practitioner who carries out a post–mortem examination.The place where a body is taken after its removal from the place of death.The place where a body is taken after its removal from the place of death.(also post-mortem(also postmortem) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.(also post-mortem(also postmortem) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.) A medical examination to determine the cause of death, also called an autopsy.Young Offender Institution - prison for people aged 21 and underYoung Offender Institution - prison for people aged 21 and underA legal term (Latin for "under judgment") which means that a case is currently at trial or being considered by a judge or court, and so cannot be discussed in public.A legal term (Latin for "under judgment") which means that a case is currently at trial or being considered by a judge or court, and so cannot be discussed in public.Secure Training CentreSecure Training CentreA prosecution for a crime which arises for example from the circumstances of a death.A prosecution for a crime which arises for example from the circumstances of a death.The person who works for the coronerThe legal official who orders a post-mortem and who is in charge of the inquest procedure. and is responsible for making arrangements for the inquest.The person who works for the coronerThe legal official who orders a post-mortem and who is in charge of the inquest procedure. and is responsible for making arrangements for the inquest.The chief legal officer of the United Kingdom. It is a government cabinet position.The chief legal officer of the United Kingdom. It is a government cabinet position.Legal cases which are not criminal trials, sometimes involving a claim for damagesA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damages./compensationA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damages..Legal cases which are not criminal trials, sometimes involving a claim for damagesA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damages./compensationA payment of money in recognition of certain kinds of suffering or injury, also called damages..Legal cases which are not criminal trials, sometimes involving a claim for damages/compensation.Legal cases which are not criminal trials, sometimes involving a claim for damages/compensation.A term used to describe proceedings in the High Court (such as a judicial review) when they are heard by two or more judges.A term used to describe proceedings in the High Court (such as a judicial review) when they are heard by two or more judges.Usually called clinical negligenceClinical negligence is a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury. Sometimes also called medical negligence., a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury.Usually called clinical negligenceClinical negligence is a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury. Sometimes also called medical negligence., a legal term for a medical accident where a patient has not received care to a proper standard, and that substandard care has also caused the patient a physical injury.The part of the Public Funding scheme that allows a solicitor to give advice for the preparation of an inquest for no cost if the client is on income support.The part of the Public Funding scheme that allows a solicitor to give advice for the preparation of an inquest for no cost if the client is on income support.A form of verdict letting a jury give a longer explanation of what they think are the main or important issues.A form of verdict letting a jury give a longer explanation of what they think are the main or important issues.Since 1 October 2009 the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has taken over the judicial functions of the House of Lords. It is the court of last resort and highest court of appeal in the United Kingdom.Since 1 October 2009 the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has taken over the judicial functions of the House of Lords. It is the court of last resort and highest court of appeal in the United Kingdom.The government's in-house lawyers, who will act for the Prison Service in instructing barristers at inquests.The government's in-house lawyers, who will act for the Prison Service in instructing barristers at inquests.The highest civil court where cases may be heard for the first time. It also hears appeals and conducts judicial reviewA type of court proceeding in which a High Court judge or judges reviews the lawfulness of the way a decision was made or and action was taken by a public body or official such as a coroner.s, and supervises magistrates and crown courts.The highest civil court where cases may be heard for the first time. It also hears appeals and conducts judicial reviewA type of court proceeding in which a High Court judge or judges reviews the lawfulness of the way a decision was made or and action was taken by a public body or official such as a coroner.s, and supervises magistrates and crown courts.Public means-tested financial assistance for representation during legal proceedings. It is not available for representation at most inquests. The Lord ChancellorThe cabinet minister in the government responsible for the effective running of the legal system in England and Wales. can grant it in exceptional cases.Public means-tested financial assistance for representation during legal proceedings. It is not available for representation at most inquests. The Lord ChancellorThe cabinet minister in the government responsible for the effective running of the legal system in England and Wales. can grant it in exceptional cases.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.The standard of proof in a civil court cases and for inquest verdicts other than unlawful killing or suicide. In these cases, one outcome need only be more probable than all the others.An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried outArticle 2Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried out of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried out of the ECHRThe European Convention on Human Rights is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights Act 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention..An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says that the state must not take someone’s life, except in very limited circumstances. The effect of article 2 is that the state has a duty to protect life and to carry out an effective investigation into a death involving the state or state agents. An inquest is normally the way which this is carried out of the ECHRThe European Convention on Human Rights is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights Act 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention..An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2 of the ECHR.An inquest into a death involving the state or state agents is required to be, in many ways, more thorough and wide ranging than inquests that do not engage the duties required by article 2 of the ECHR.The standard of
proof in a civil court cases and for inquest
verdicts other than unlawful killing or
suicide. In these cases, one outcome need
only be more probable than all the others.The standard of
proof in a civil court cases and for inquest
verdicts other than unlawful killing or
suicide. In these cases, one outcome need
only be more probable than all the others.Those people defined in the Coroners Act 1988 as having a right to ask questions at the inquest. Family members such as parents, children, spouses, civil partners or partners of the person who has died automatically come within the definition and can ask questions at the inquest. Other relatives and those with close relationships may also be regarded as Properly Interested Persons.Those people defined in the Coroners Act 1988 as having a right to ask questions at the inquest. Family members such as parents, children, spouses, civil partners or partners of the person who has died automatically come within the definition and can ask questions at the inquest. Other relatives and those with close relationships may also be regarded as Properly Interested Persons.The organisation responsible for providing
Public Funds for legal work.The organisation responsible for providing
Public Funds for legal work.The highest standard of proof required in legal hearings and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.The highest standard of proof required in legal hearings and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.The highest
standard of proof required in legal hearings
and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.The highest
standard of proof required in legal hearings
and needed for returning inquest verdicts of unlawful killing or suicide.Formerly known as police surgeons, FMEFormerly known as police surgeons, Forensic Medical Examiners or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.s or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.Formerly known as police surgeons, FMEFormerly known as police surgeons, Forensic Medical Examiners or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.s or police doctors examine and assess the medical needs of people detained in police custody.The DPP is a government-appointed legal officer who is the head of, and responsible for, the Crown Prosecution ServiceThe CPS is responsible for deciding whether or not there is enough police evidence to undertake a criminal prosecution for a general criminal offence (e.g. manslaughter) both before and in some cases after the inquest, and whether or not a prosecution is in the public interest..The DPP is a government-appointed legal officer who is the head of, and responsible for, the Crown Prosecution ServiceThe CPS is responsible for deciding whether or not there is enough police evidence to undertake a criminal prosecution for a general criminal offence (e.g. manslaughter) both before and in some cases after the inquest, and whether or not a prosecution is in the public interest..The ECHR is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights ActThe Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament that incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention.The ECHR is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe, incorporated into UK law as the Human Rights ActThe Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament that incorporated the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. 1998. All Council of Europe member states including the UK have signed the Convention.See also:
Other publications
Case briefings
| Briefings to the Justice Select Committee Inquiry into Youth Justice: |
 INQUEST’s submission to the Justice Select Committee Inquiry into Youth Justice (April 2012)  (PDF, 129KB) |
| Briefings on the Justice and Security Green Paper 2012: |
| INQUEST and ILG – additional evidence to the JCHR on the Justice & Security Green paper (March 2012) (PDF, 448KB) |
| INQUEST and ILG submission to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on the Justice & Security Green paper (January 2012) (PDF, 154KB) |
| INQUEST and ILG response to the Justice & Security Green paper (January 2012) (PDF, 145KB) |
| Briefings on the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and its implementation: |
| FAQs on coronial reform – November 2011 (PDF, 547KB) or see FAQs on coronial reform |
| INQUEST & Royal British legion briefing for Lords on Commons amendments to Public Bodies Bill – November 2011 (PDF, 57KB) |
| Briefing on delay and coronial reform for House of Lords, July 2011 (PDF, 95KB) |
| INQUEST’s response to the green paper on Legal Aid – February 2011 (PDF, 103KB) |
| INQUEST briefing for the House of Lords committee stage of the Public Bodies Bill 2010 on proposals to abolish the post of Chief Coroner – November 2010 (PDF, 68KB) |
| INQUEST briefing for the House of Lords second reading of the Public Bodies Bill 2010 on proposals to abolish the post of Chief Coroner – November 2010 (PDF, 60KB) |
| INQUEST, Liberty & JUSTICE Joint briefing considering amendments to CJB on secret inquiries for the House of Commons – November 2009 (PDF, 281KB) |
| INQUEST, Liberty & JUSTICE Joint briefing considering amendments to the CJB on secret inquiries for the third reading in the House of Lords – October 2009 (PDF, 323KB) |
| Briefing on the Coroners and Justice Bill for the House of Lords report stage (PDF, 60KB) |
| INQUEST, Liberty & JUSTICE Joint draft proposed amendments to CJB on the admissibility of intercept evidence for the report stage in the House of Lords – October 2009 (PDF, 309KB) |
| Briefing on the Coroners and Justice Bill for the House of Lords committee stage (PDF, 65KB) |
| INQUEST, Liberty & JUSTICE Joint draft proposed amendments to CJB on the admissibility of intercept evidence & the relationship between inquests & public inquiries – May 2009 (PDF, 309KB) |
| INQUEST’s Briefing on the Coroners and Justice Bill 2009 – House of Lords Second Reading 15 May 2009 (PDF, 105KB) |
| INQUEST’s Briefing on the Coroners and Justice Bill 2009 – House of Lords Second Reading – 5 May 2009 (PDF, 105KB) |
| INQUEST, Liberty & Justice joint briefing on clauses 11-12 of the Coroners and Justice Bill – April 2009 (PDF, 398KB) |
| INQUEST’s Briefing on the Coroners and Justice Bill 2009 – House of Commons Report and Third Reading – March 2009 (PDF, 35KB) |
| INQUEST’s briefing on clauses 11-13 of the Coroners and Justice Bill – 20 February 2009 (PDF, 85KB) |
| Briefing on the Coroners and Justice Bill – February 2009 (PDF, 114KB) |
| Briefings on Child and youth deaths in prison and related issues: |
| INQUEST’s further evidence to the parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry into the restraint of children (PDF, 29KB) |
| Submission to the Ministry of Justice & Department for Children, Schools and Families on the ‘Review of Restraint’ (PDF, 128KB) |
| INQUEST briefing on the restraint of children and SI 2007 No 1709 regarding changes to the Secure Training Centre Rules (PDF, 33KB) |
| Briefings on the Counter Terrorism Act 2008: |
| INQUEST’s briefing on amending RIPA for the Counter Terrorism Bill in the Commons, November 2008 (PDF, 110KB) |
| INQUEST’s parliamentary briefing on Counter Terrorism Bill committee stage in House of Lords (PDF, 40KB) |
| INQUEST’s briefing on amending RIPA for report stage of Counter Terrorism Bill November 2008 (PDF, 77KB) |
| INQUEST’s parliamentary briefing on Counter Terrorism Bill committee stage in House of Commons (PDF, 142KB) |
| Parliamentary briefing on proposals for “secret” inquests in the Counter Terrorism Bill 2008 (PDF, 134KB) |
| Briefings on Reform of the inquest system: |
| INQUEST’s briefing on the need for a Coroners & Death Certification Bill November 2008 (PDF, 24KB) |
| INQUEST’s briefing on coroner reform June 2008 (PDF, 25KB) |
| Policy briefings on Deaths in police custody: |
| INQUEST’s Response To IPCC Stock Take Consultation October 2008 (PDF, 41KB) |
| Policy briefings on the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007: |
| INQUEST’s briefing on and suggested amendments for the report stage of the Corporate Manslaughter and Homicide Bill 2006 (PDF, 111KB) |
| Policy briefings on BAME deaths in custody: |
| Deaths of Black and Minority Ethnic People in Custody - INQUEST’S Submission to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry – 1998 |
| This submission examines the main issues around Stephen’s death and looks at the investigative process, policy development and racially-motivated crimes. |
| Policy briefings on Deaths in prison: |
| INQUEST’s submission to the Prison Inspectorate’s thematic review on suicides in prison – 1998 (PDF, 157KB) |
| This submission looks at the unacceptably high number of prison deaths and questions whether suicide prevention and the healthcare of prisoners are given any priority at all. |
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Investigating Deaths in Custody: public event
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