What Happens at the Coroner's Court?

Originally written by Lorna Elliott, updated by the editorial team on 14th April 2026

When someone dies in circumstances that seem unusual, unexpected or require investigation, a coroner becomes involved. The coroner's court establishes the facts around a death, and understanding the process can help families prepare.

If you receive documents from the coroner's office containing unfamiliar terminology, you can get clarity using our free Legal Jargon Translator.

Who is a coroner and when do they get involved?

A coroner is a qualified doctor or solicitor with specialist training to investigate deaths. In England and Wales, coroners must have at least five years of professional experience.

They step in when a death was sudden, violent, of unknown cause, in suspicious circumstances, during medical treatment, in custody, at work, or from certain industrial diseases. They also investigate when the cause is simply unclear. Sometimes a GP cannot sign a death certificate because they are uncertain what caused the death, and this triggers the coroner's involvement.

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Post-mortem examinations and inquests

In most cases, the coroner will order a post-mortem examination. Unlike hospital post-mortems, the coroner does not need family consent. Families can ask for their own doctor to attend at their expense. The body can usually be released for burial or cremation once the examination is complete, even if an inquest follows.

An inquest must be held for: deaths from industrial disease, violent or unnatural deaths, deaths in custody, and cases where the post-mortem has not established the cause. Jury inquests are mandatory for deaths in custody, some workplace deaths, deaths risking public health or safety, and deaths caused by police actions or omissions.

If the post-mortem provides clear answers and there are no other concerns, the coroner may issue a certificate allowing the death to be registered without an inquest.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

What happens at the inquest hearing

An inquest is a fact-finding hearing, not a trial. The coroner establishes who died, and how, when and where the death occurred. They do not determine blame or liability.

Hearings are public, usually in a coroner's court or council building. Family members can attend, as can journalists. Most inquests are heard by the coroner alone, but some require a jury of seven to eleven people.

The coroner opens an inquest shortly after the death to formally identify the deceased and allow burial arrangements. The full hearing usually happens months later, after police and other enquiries are complete.

The coroner must notify: the next of kin, personal representatives if there was a will, and anyone else with a legitimate interest, such as employers, medical professionals, or drivers involved in road accidents. These "interested persons" can ask questions of witnesses through the coroner, see documents, and make representations about the investigation's scope.

Evidence comes from medical records, police reports, witness statements and expert opinions. The coroner has powers to compel witnesses to attend and answer questions under oath. The atmosphere is less formal than a criminal trial.

Families do not need lawyers at inquests, and many manage without them. Legal representation can help in complex cases, particularly where civil claims might follow or the family feels the investigation is inadequate. Legal aid is rarely available, though it may be granted in exceptional cases involving potential human rights breaches. Families usually pay privately or use legal expenses insurance.

The coroner or jury delivers a conclusion: natural causes, accident, suicide, unlawful killing, lawful killing, industrial disease, or an open conclusion when evidence is insufficient. These use legal definitions that may differ from everyday understanding. Suicide, for instance, requires proof the deceased intended to kill themselves.

After the inquest

The coroner may issue prevention of future deaths reports if action is needed. Relevant organisations must respond within 56 days explaining what steps they will take.

Once the inquest concludes, the coroner issues documentation allowing the death to be registered. Families can then obtain death certificates for dealing with the estate.

The conclusion does not prevent other legal proceedings. Police can still investigate potential crimes, and families can pursue civil claims, though other courts will consider the inquest findings.

Families can challenge a conclusion through judicial review or by asking the Attorney General to apply for a new inquest. This requires legal advice due to the high threshold for success.

The Next Step

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Showing 20 of 22 questions

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CORLIARS 03/09/2021 at 4:33 am

My son 2013 died in custody. Coroner wrote suicide, No facial injuries or other markings.. Strangulation marking, around neck; mostly in back of neck. My son's (button) part of Nose was completely broken; facing sideways. No strangulation or marks across front of neck Entire Middle of neck, Chin on down chest; looked completely normal. Both Right & Left Sides of Neck, were (Bing Cherry Deep Red) all the way down to top of chest nipples. As if some heavy laid on side of jugular, shoulder and chest. Scratch marks on outside of both shoulders mid way down. I believe a officer knee? My attorney ignored pictures, allowed coroner report. I personally took several photos with phone.

Dharmendra Patel 10/04/2021 at 9:26 am

My partner died in hospital after receiving an operation to remove cancer from his tonsils and tongue. He had the operation on the 13th July and discharged the next day. He was vomiting blood on the 19th at home and was taken up hospital. The hospital didn’t act quick enough and lots of miscommunication between the staff. The case has been transferred to the coroners court. We were not leagally married do I have a case.

Ellie 12/01/2017 at 1:15 am

Sarah mum

My son died a year ago he was 28 I'm still fighting for him now . It doesn't matter his put himself as next of kin the coroners officer will go through everything with you as your the mother . my heart goes out to you x

Zoggler 22/09/2016 at 9:18 pm

My friends father was killed by a hit and run driver, the person responsible
Was eventually arrested, but only for driving under the influence of alcohol, and pleaded guilty to that spedifice offence. He said that he had hit a wheelie bin.
The case went to coroners court and several witnesses reported seeing the incident. The family are trying to get the paperwork from the coroner, are they legally entitled. To the documents. And how do they go about getting them, they need them for insurance purposes.

Sarah mum 16/09/2016 at 8:36 pm

My daughter died 6 weeks ago. My ex husband appointed himself as next of kin and every thing I am being told is I am being told by him. He told me the post mortem revealed that she did not die of natural causes and that there is to be a coroners inquest into the cause of her death. Can some one explain to me what this will involve. And am I able to contact the coronerelevant myself and ask for an update. My daughter was 24

AliceB 02/09/2016 at 12:53 pm

@Maggie20054 - I am so sorry your son died this way and reading down all the others who've had family and friends that have died in such awful circumstances too - it must be really difficult for you on a daily basis x

AliceB 02/09/2016 at 12:48 pm

@Dury - you're fine if the police and coroner have no reason to suspect his death was anything other than by natural causes!

Dury 31/08/2016 at 8:23 pm

I looked after an elderly man. He changed his will in july. In August he was sent to hospital and died 10 days later.
No I have to attend an inquest.
Do I have anything to worry about.

Kels 03/06/2016 at 9:03 pm

My partner & father to my youngest Son died in a so called house fire there were many weird events that happened that day the electric went so I took a bus with my Son into town to get electric an some tobacco as we didn't smoke cigarettes. We lived in a very secluded place taking hr just to the shops on the bus, during this time a phone call came via my older Son asking was I ok stating that there was a fire at the house an a body has been bought out my partner was rushed to hospital with smoke damage which later was brain dead an it was just a matter of time waiting to see what the outcome would be be he latest exactly one month died in my arms.
I couldn't be at the inquiry it was to painful an I didn't believe that he died. It couldn't of been an electric alternative fault as there was no electric there was no smokes either I know my partner and there is no way he would light a fire an just waite to die no never. As I didn't go to the inquiry is it possible for me to read what the coroner said just need answer to many questions wish I had gone but was in no state to now I feel I'll never really know what happened

Maggie20054 27/04/2016 at 11:59 pm

To the lady who's son died from falling off of a balcony. I feel your pain I'm in a very similar situation. My son was celebrating Arsenal winning the cup final with his friend. Then at midnight left to walk home. CCTV shows him in the pub leaving pub and again on his way home somehow this stranger who is married to a man invites him back to his flat played an already drunk man with more booze this man was arrested on suspicion of murder stating no comment my son would be alive now if not for this man.

CourtroomAdvice Editor 27/04/2016 at 12:20 pm

I am sorry to hear of your daughter's death. If you are concerned about the circumstances surrounding her death then you should consider seeing a solicitor. Please see the Inquest link here which should tell you all you need to know. I hope this helps.

bombshell 26/04/2016 at 2:57 pm

My daughter died august, the coroner said central nerve depression, they have set another inquest date for may now, as she had only prescribed tablets , for depression, do i need a solicitor at the inquest, they say i dont, but i dont know who to believe,

Delboy 30/03/2016 at 2:17 pm

My g/f had a csf leak which hopital failed to fix this then caused mental staus to change she then took her life while in hospital all medical records are incorrect which means her death was caused by hospital the coroner is trying to cover death up

alan 22/02/2016 at 4:45 pm

I would like to make a Freedom of Information request regarding a Hearing/Inquest, who should I send this to? Coroner is ignoring our polite requests.

Thanks

mich 15/02/2016 at 4:29 pm

My Aunties inquest next month, she was found dead outside her flat early hours of the morning her top floor 4 storey flat window was open at the time of death. (She was petrified of heights) She was trying to detox off alcohol someone was in her flat apparently sleeping at the time that she was ment to of through her self out of window.Autopsy has come back no alcohol which is strange for her and drugs which she would never take as she was soo antie police made so many mistakes and not done anything to investigate now looking at it as suicide and toxic at time Need advice really can't but this to bed as not happy if this is the final out come.

Vonni 05/02/2016 at 10:00 pm

My son died 20th July 2015 I found him dead on my sofa , he had a PM and they cannot find a reason for his death so now nearly 7 months later they are going to open an inquest. What I want to know as his mother do I have to attend the inquest I am so emotionally drained I don't think I could take anymore. So if someone has the answer I would be pleased to hear it

Tilli 28/01/2016 at 10:30 pm

My mum died August 2014 from a care home neglect, had 15 pressure sores when she died , the care home didn't even know she had any at all , so is that neglect, I would say so , got a 4 day inquest coming up soon , I hope we get justice for my mum

Violet30 10/01/2016 at 10:35 pm

My son aged 28 died on the 28th October . The circumstances are very suspicious . 3 men who were in his apartment are saying he was acting strangely high as a kite and jumped off his balcony. This is absolute rubbish. Number one autopsy has given a full clearance for 0% drugs. He had been making plans that evening for the next few days and going back to america. He asked a girl up to his apartment for the evening. He wasn't talking to his flat mate wasn't happy with him at all yet his telling police him and my son were great mates. The other guy has also come up with a load of rubbish. The third guy is not answering police messages to come in and make a statement. I'm chasing London police constantly that if it was not so serious it would be laughable. My son loved life to the max . So the police havevsaidvit wasn't suicide!! Never in a million years. And it wasn't drug related . I want the police to do there job for my sons inquest . He cannot speak for himself so as his mother I must do this last thing for him. My gut fielding and what is coming out tells me this is murder. A fight had broken out and got out of hand.? I just wished they would pull there finger out investigate my sons death as should be done. He maybe a number to them but his my son. And I want to knowe that after returning home 32 minutes later he was dead .

Malc 02/01/2016 at 5:40 pm

My son died in a road accident, the police accident investigation unit has finished its enquiries. I have asked for some details such as photos taken at the scene of the accident but these have not been forthcoming. I need these before the inquest in case I need ask any questions or disagree with their findings

Jan 12/11/2015 at 5:22 pm

My mother died when the surgeon put a mechanical heart valve in upside down ! He re used a valve against manufacturers warning instructions causing horrific damage to her heart resulting in her death !! The hospital and doctors covered it up and it took five days to find out about the valve !! Its disgusting that these people who have lives in their hands can be so dishonest and cover their own backs !! I class this as evil at work ! My heart goes out to everyone who has and is suffering through losing someone they love this way !! Im not going to give up trying to get justice for my mother !

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