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Coroner Courts Action

Navigating Coronial proceedings at a time where a loved one has been lost unexpectedly is incredibly difficult, here at Price & Kelway we can assist you in navigating the process.

In England and Wales, a coroner is a public official responsible for investigating deaths that are sudden, unexpected, or where the cause is unknown. Their primary role is to determine the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it.

A Coroner’s responsibilities include:

1. Investigation of Deaths:

  • When a death occurs under circumstances such as accidents, suicides, homicides, or deaths where the cause is unclear, the coroner investigates to establish the cause and manner of death.

2. Inquests:

  • If necessary, the coroner holds inquests, which are formal hearings to examine the circumstances of the death. Inquests are usually held in public and may involve witnesses providing evidence about the events leading up to the death.

3. Issuing Death Certificates:

  • Once the coroner has completed their investigation, they issue a death certificate detailing the cause of death. This allows families to register the death officially.

4. Public Health and Safety:

  • Coroners also play a role in identifying trends or patterns in deaths that may indicate public health or safety concerns. This information can be used to implement measures to prevent similar deaths in the future. In particular they sometimes need to consider whether Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights is engaged or not.

5. Making Recommendations:

  • Coroners can make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths in the future. These recommendations may be directed towards individuals, organizations, or government agencies, and they are intended to improve public safety and prevent future fatalities.

Overall, the coroner’s role is crucial in providing closure to families, ensuring that deaths are properly investigated, and identifying any issues that may pose risks to public health and safety.

If you would like to reach out to us to discuss a sensitive matter at a difficult and distressing time then we would be glad to be able to assist you. Our team understand how traumatic the loss of a loved one can be, please rest assured that you are in safe hands with us.