Attending an inquest hearing

A coroner’s inquest and related hearings are all held in open court, unless notification is given for an inquest in writing.

Only 1 courtroom at East Riding of Yorkshire and City of Kingston Upon Hull Coroners Court has the ability to use remote access. It is therefore recommended that any person wishing to attend or view an inquest does not rely on remote access being available. 

In all cases those attending remotely will be issued with a link and a set of guidelines regarding conduct. 

You are reminded that it is a summary offence and contempt of court to record or transmit proceedings, or images of any people attending them. If a person records or broadcasts any part of these proceedings they will be committing a criminal offence. 

There is usually sufficient space in each room to accommodate the public (within reason).

Interested persons, witnesses and advocates

Interested persons, witnesses and advocates should attend the inquest, and any hearings related to it, in person. 

If an interested person, witness or advocate wishes to attend remotely they must apply using the Coroners Enquiry form below and select the Remote Access Request section. This must be submitted a week before the hearing and set out their reasons why they are unable to attend in person and why remote access should be granted. If the matter is listed in court with the facility for remote access, the coroner will make a decision whether that person may use the remote link. Confirmation of use of the link will be made via the court staff. Without this confirmation all interested persons, witnesses and advocates are expected to attend in person. 

Remote Access Request

The views of interested parties and advocates may be taken into consideration when deciding if someone should attend remotely. Remote access is not permitted purely because a participant would prefer it. 

The coroner can only permit a witness to attend remotely where -

• it would improve the quality of the evidence given
• allow the inquest to proceed more expediently

The coroner will also consider -

• whether remote attendance will impede the questioning of the witness
• a balance between the interests of justice and the interests of those attending the proceedings

Members of the public and the press

From 28 June 2022 it became lawful for members of the public (including press) to join proceedings remotely. No-one has the right to observe the hearing remotely, all applications are considered on a case to case basis and may be refused.

Should a member of the public/press wish to apply to join remotely they must complete the below form by 9am the day before the hearing and set out their reasons why remote access should be granted.

Please be aware that the test for remote access is as follows -

• the coroner is satisfied that remote access is in the interests of justice
• the court has the capacity and technological capacity to provide remote access
• that it would not create an unreasonable burden for the court or its staff
• the coroner will take into account the mandatory considerations in regulation 4 and practice guidance.

Please note that denial of remote participation is not denial of access to the inquest, the court remains open to the public and the press. 

• interested persons
• witnesses
• advocates

will not be consulted with regard to applications by the public/press.

Remote Access Request