Inquests

A coroner will open an Inquest if after preliminary investigations -

• they are not satisfied about the cause of death / the cause of death is unknown 
• they are concerned that the cause of death was unnatural or 
• the person dies in prison or state detention 

An inquest is a public, fact finding process to help the coroner establish the cause of death and the appropriate legal conclusion based on evidence. The inquest is not to find fault or apportion blame.   

Inquest openings

The coroner must open an inquest as soon as possible. This is done by a brief public hearing in the Coroners Court.  It is not necessary to attend the opening of an inquest, but you are welcome to do so if you wish. 

Inquests due to be opened

After the opening, the inquest will be adjourned to a later date to allow time for investigation and evidence gathering. Every effort is made to hear the inquest within 6 months of the date of death however, sometimes the process may take longer, particularly if the case is complex or other investigations (such as a Police or Health and Safety Enquiry) is running alongside the coroner’s investigation. 

The coroner will decide on the scope of the inquest and determine the nature of enquiries to be undertaken. A decision will be made as to which witnesses will need to attend the inquest to give evidence in person and those whose evidence can be read in their absence. 

Reports and statements will be shared with people who the coroner thinks have ‘sufficient interest’ before the inquest and these interested persons will have opportunity to ask relevant questions at the inquest hearing.  Interested persons include next of kin and family members.

Pre-Inquest Reviews 

Sometimes the coroner will choose to hold Pre-Inquest Reviews (PIR). This review is a pre-inquest hearing in which the scope of the -

• inquest
• timescales
• statements required
• other matters

can be discussed with interested parties prior to the final inquest hearing.   

Pre-Inquest Reviews are public hearings and as such anyone can attend.

Pre-Inquest Reviews

Inquest hearings 

Inquest hearings are held in a publicly open court. Friends and family of the deceased are welcome to attend.   

You do not need to attend an inquest if you are not giving evidence this is entirely your decision. 

Because inquests are public hearings, press or media access to the courts or details of the inquest being published or broadcast cannot be prevented. 

Inquest hearings can last anything from 30 minutes to several days or weeks. An estimate of the length of the hearing is indicated when the final hearing is listed.

Upcoming inquest hearings

Attending an inquest hearing