Inquest Solicitors in Leeds
If you have lost a loved one and have been informed that an inquest will be held into their death, we understand that this can be confusing, upsetting and very stressful to deal with. Our specialist inquest solicitors can guide and support you throughout the entire inquest process to make sure you get the answers you deserve.
With over 30 years of experience supporting families and individuals during inquest proceedings, we can make sure you understand exactly what is happening and that your interests are effectively represented.
Our inquest solicitors, based in Leeds, work with people all over the UK, offering a sensitive but highly practical approach that makes it as simple and straightforward as possible to navigate an inquest and ensure all of the facts around your loved one’s death are clearly established.
Get in touch with our inquest solicitors in Leeds by calling 0113 245 8549 or use the contact form on the right to ask a question.
Our legal support for inquests
Our inquest lawyers can support you through the entire inquest process, helping to ensure you get the answers you need. This includes:
- Advising you on how the inquest process works, what to expect and how long it is likely to take
- Discussing your eligibility for Legal Aid and how to apply
- Recommending how to proceed
- Supporting and representing you during the inquest
- Keeping you informed at every stage so you are never left in the dark
We can advise you on inquests in relation to a number of issues, including:
- Death following police contact
- Death in police custody
- Death in prison
- Death on a psychiatric ward
- Death in an immigration detention centre
- Death in hospital
Inquest FAQs
What is a coroner’s inquest?
Sometimes when someone dies the death will be reported to the local Coroner for investigation. This might happen under circumstances including:
- The cause of death is not known
- The death was violent or otherwise unnatural
- The death was sudden and unexplained
- The deceased was not seen by an appropriate medical professional when suffering from a fatal illness
- No medical certificate is available
- The medical certificate indicates the death might be due to an industrial disease or industrial poisoning
What questions does an inquest answer?
An inquest is intended to make sure there are answers to four key questions:
- Who the deceased was
- Where the deceased died
- When the deceased died
- How the deceased died
In many cases answers to the first three questions may already be known and many inquests will primarily focus on establishing how a person died.
What does an inquest involve?
During the investigation, the Coroner will direct a number of processes to take place. Depending on the circumstances, this may include obtaining:
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Expert reports
- Prison records, police records and/or other relevant records
- CCTV footage or other relevant recordings
Alongside the Coroner’s investigation, other organisations may carry out their own independent investigations. These could include:
- NHS Trust internal investigations
- Police investigations
- Prison and Probation Ombudsman Investigation
- Independent Police Complaints Commission Investigation
- Care Quality Commission investigation
- Health and Safety Executive investigation
The results of these independent investigations could then be used as evidence for the inquest.
How long will an inquest take?
Legally, inquests must be dealt with as soon as possible and at the latest within 6 months from the date of death under most circumstances. However, if the death is particularly complicated (for example if the state is involved) the process may take longer.
We will ensure you have a realistic idea of how long the inquest process is likely to take from the outset and keep you updated at all times about any changes to the timeframe.
Can you get Legal Aid for an inquest?
In some cases, Legal Aid is available to fund legal representation for families during inquests. We work with many of our clients on a Legal Aid basis, so will be happy to discuss this option with you, including whether you are likely to be eligible, how you apply for Legal Aid and what alternative funding arrangements may be available if required.
Are inquests public?
Inquests are conducted in public, meaning members of the public and the media can attend and report on the evidence heard and the conclusions of the inquest. The death certificate produced as the result of an inquest will also be a matter of public record, as will be any report prepared by the Coroner in line with Regulation 28 of the Coroner and Justice Act.
Can you get compensation from an inquest?
Inquests do not have the power to award compensation, but the evidence exposed during the investigation or any liability implied in the conclusions of the inquest could suggest that there are grounds to bring a compensation claim.
If you believe you have grounds to bring a compensation claim due to a medical error, our medical negligence solicitors will be able to advise you on the next steps you need to take.
Why use our inquest solicitors in Leeds?
Our Leeds-based inquest solicitors have been supporting families and individuals all over the UK with all aspects of inquest for more than 30 years. We are members of the INQUEST Lawyers Group and our solicitors are highly recommended by the Legal 500 and Chambers’ Guide to the Legal Profession.
Our experience and expertise means we can help you to quickly and clearly establish the facts of your case, guide you through every stage of the inquest process and give you the best chance of getting the answers you need.
Minton Morrill is Lexcel-accredited by the Law Society in recognition of the high quality of our practice management and client care. We are regulated by the Solicitors Regular Authority (SRA) ensuring we continually meet the highest legal and professional standards.
Contact our inquest solicitors in Leeds today
For advice and representation at an inquest, please get in touch with our Leeds-based inquest solicitors by calling 0113 245 8549 or use the contact form below to ask a question.
Our people
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- Simon Minton
- Senior Director
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- Sahida Patel
- Legal Director and Partner, Head of Leeds Office
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- Trevor Ward
- Partner & Birth Injury Team Leader
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- Guy Pomphrey
- Partner