How Can We Help?

What is an Inquest?

A Coroner must hold an inquest into a death where there is reasonable cause to suspect that the deceased :-

(a) died a violent or unnatural death; or

(b) died a sudden death of which the cause is unknown or

(c) has died in prison

The purpose of an inquest is to establish the cause of death and the circumstances which led to the death. An inquest never determines blame.

Crosse & Crosse have extensive experience of assisting clients to make sense of the inquest process and to fully protect their position during the proceedings. Inquests can be daunting for families, who are already suffering great distress. Everyone else involved, for example, the police, prison or hospital will almost certainly have a specialist legal team acting for them to protect their interests. Without their own expert legal help, families can find that their concerns are not properly addressed or their questions answered.

Dealing with disclosure of documentation and - complex cases several pre inquest hearings etc.

Our lawyers have helped many families in this situation to find out the truth and to make the appropriate authorities accountable. We combine sensitivity towards our clients' grief, with a determination to find out whether lessons should be learned to prevent similar deaths in future.

By offering clear advice and robust representation, we can equip families to cope with the strain of an inquest and to ensure the coroner conducts a full inquiry in which they are fully involved.

We provide a full service up to and including the inquest hearing.

An inquest is a unique process which provides families with an opportunity to bring together lawyers, medical practitioners and any other appropriate individuals in order to conduct a thorough analysis into the cause of death.  It is a difficult and complex process for families struggling to come to terms with their loss but it is one that cannot be repeated.  For that reason, it is vital that families receive advice, support and guidance at the earliest opportunity.

We are one of a small number of firms in the South West who specialise in this area of law.  Our main goal is to remove the burden from bereaved families who we represent and assume responsibility for obtaining disclosure and analysing documentation to ensure that they are adequately prepared for inquests and that they have an opportunity to ask the questions they would like answered.

As a family member, you may attend the inquest as an interested person or you may appoint a solicitor to represent you.

Links

Inquest Information Pack from LawInquest website

Cases - as per current website

Sidmouth Inquest

Cotter

Daniel Heard

Our Inquest Team:

• Richard J Stevinson
• Penny Evans