Inquest solicitors.
Here for you.

When a loved one dies an inquest provides an opportunity to have your questions answered. Our dedicated solicitors are here to help find the answers you need.

Call now on 0800 923 2080

Talk to us today

Inquest solicitors on your side

Our team understand what a difficult time this is for you; we will progress your case with sensitivity and discretion.

We can advise on inquests of all types, including those relating to medical treatment, psychiatric care, deaths in custody, deaths involving the police and deaths in prison.

What is an inquest?

An inquest is an investigation led by a coroner in order to ascertain how someone died. During the inquest process, the coroner will establish four things:

  • The name of the deceased
  • The place of their death
  • The time of their death
  • How the death occurred

Do you need a solicitor for an inquest?

There’s no obligation to instruct a solicitor for an inquest; you can represent yourself if you wish. However, there are many benefits to having a solicitor represent you, particularly where the hospital/treatment provider is likely to have legal representation.

We strongly urge people to consider specialist legal representation for an inquest in all but the most straightforward and uncontroversial deaths.

The formalities and procedure of an inquest hearing are likely to be a daunting prospect for the family of the deceased, particularly whilst grieving for the loss of their loved on;  having your own lawyer fighting your corner will ease the burden.

Furthermore, the other Interested Parties are likely to be far more familiar with the process outlined above and will also have their own legal teams acting for them. This can mean that family members who represent themselves feel intimidated and ill-prepared when faced with experienced advocates.

What are the funding options for an inquest?

There are a number of way you can secure specialist legal representation in an inquest:

  1. Public funding can be obtained from the Legal Aid Agency in some cases, such as where the death occurred in prison or whilst the person was sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
  2. Many of our clients find they are able to obtain/secure representation at no cost to themselves through an existing legal expenses policy, or through a Conditional Fee Agreement (known as ‘no win, no fee’).

We will discuss the options available and help you choose the best one for your specific situation.

What happens after an inquest?

If substandard care is identified then it may be possible to pursue a claim for compensation. Your specialist lawyer will advise you on this and support you with a subsequent claim if you wish to bring one.

How can RWK Goodman help you?

Our dedicated inquest team will fight on your behalf and guide you through the process, making it less daunting and ensuring that you get the best possible outcome.

Even if no inquest takes place, you may be able to bring a claim for compensation where negligence has caused or contributed to the death of your loved one. See our fatal claims page for more information.

  • Independently accredited, top ranked firm
  • Trusted experts in inquests
  • Supportive and understanding

We have a specialist team dealing with inquests and subsequent fatal claims, who will strive to get answers, seek changes and recover damages when things have gone wrong.

If you would like to speak to our team, please contact us on

0800 923 2080

Where you can find us

Bath
RWK Goodman, Midland Bridge House, Midland Bridge Road, Bath, BA2 3FP
T: 01225 730 100
Email this office
Bristol
RWK Goodman, One Castlepark, Tower Hill, Bristol, BS2 0JA
T: 01174 540 540
Email this office
London
RWK Goodman, 69 Carter Lane, London, EC4V 5EQ
T: 0207 583 2222
Email this office
Oxford
RWK Goodman, Godstow Court, Minns Business Park, 5 West Way, OXFORD, OX2 0JB
T: 01865 792 300
Email this office
Swindon
RWK Goodman, 3 Newbridge Square, Swindon, SN1 1BY
T: 01793 84 77 77
Email this office
Types of inquest

How we can help after a fatal injury

We have a wide range of specialist solicitors, who can help with a number of issues relating to a bereavement.

Article 2 inquests
If a loved one has died in the care of the state, you may find yourself involved in an ‘Article 2 Inquest’ exploring the circumstances of their death. Our specialist team of inquest solicitors are here to help you find answers and hold those responsible to account.
Inquest support for a death involving a road traffic collision
When a loved one has been killed in a road traffic accident you will want to understand how it happened and to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else
Deaths in military service
When your loved one dies in military service it can lead to a lot of unanswered questions. We may be able to help answer them.
Deaths in prison
When your loved one has died in prison – whether due to violence from another prisoner, suicide, or natural causes – an Article 2 inquest will be held to find out the circumstances surrounding their death.
Deaths involving mental health treatment
The death of a loved one following contact with or when resident in a mental health facility can be a truly devastating time. You are likely to have many unanswered questions about how they died following assessment or treatment.
Deaths involving the police
When your loved one has died following police contact or whilst in police custody, you and your family will want answers to understand how the death occurred or why your loved one was not kept safe.
Fatal injury claims
If you’ve lost a loved one it will undoubtedly be a very distressing time for you and your family. This is especially the case if you believe the death occurred as a result of an accident or due to substandard care.
Inquest or fatal claim
If you are concerned that a loved one’s death may have been caused by an accident or substandard care, a distressing time can be made even worse. Here we explain whether you may wish to bring a claim for damages, whether an inquest may be appropriate, or both. We will guide you through the process from start to finish.
Infant loss
The distress of infant loss can be greatly exacerbated by concerns that there has been substandard medical treatment and that the death could have been avoided. An inquest can help answer your questions.

“For us the win was really the outcome of the inquest and all the work that you and our barrister put into this was greatly appreciated by our family. Having you there was a huge comfort for me and I felt that we did the utmost for my mother. I can’t ever thank you enough for this.”

Mrs P
Represented by Ali Cloak in the inquest into her mother’s death and in the subsequent claim for damages
contact us
Contact our inquest solicitors today
client testimony

Teresa's experience with us

We spoke to our client, Teresa, about why she chose RWK Goodman for her inquest and compensation claim.

bereavement guide

Read our bereavement guide

What you need to know when a loved one dies.

Our specialists have put together a comprehensive guide to help you know where to start with the practical steps after someone dies.

meet the team

Meet our inquest team

Legal insights

Insight from our legal specialists

Podcast  |  18:11:24
What support is available after a sudden bereavement? – Spotlight on 2Wish.
In a recent episode of our podcast Ali Cloak from our Inquest and Fatal claims team was joined by Deborah Coles and Aniesha Obuobie of INQUEST. They talked about the importance of learning lessons following deaths, the challenges in implementing care improvements , and how their No More Deaths hopes to secure systemic change.
Opinion  |  20:06:24
How to fund specialist legal advice for an inquest or a claim
Becky Randel explains your options for funding legal support either for an inquest or fatal claim when a loved one dies. Legal costs may put off people who are looking for legal support for...
Opinion  |  20:06:24
Improving patient safety through inquest investigations
Becky Randel looks at how lawyers and charities can work together to support individual families at inquests whilst also identifying wider patient safety issues.   When families approach us to investigate something that might...
Opinion  |  20:06:24
Your employment rights following a bereavement
Chris Amys and Gabrielle Laurin explain your rights in employment when you’ve experienced a bereavement. Millions of people experience the death of a loved one each year. According to the UK Commission on Bereavement...
Opinion  |  20:06:24
Charity spotlight: The Coroners’ Courts Support Service
Ali Cloak interviews Angela Geer, Chief Executive Officer of the Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS), about the vital role the charity plays in supporting people in inquests.
Podcast  |  20:06:24
How we can ensure lessons are learned following a death – Interview with INQUEST
In a recent episode of our podcast Ali Cloak from our Inquest and Fatal claims team was joined by Deborah Coles and Aniesha Obuobie of INQUEST. They talked about the importance of learning lessons following deaths, the challenges in implementing care improvements , and how their No More Deaths hopes to secure systemic change.
Opinion  |  20:06:24
The fatal claims process – overview of process for bringing a fatal personal injury claim
Roisin O’Dubhlaoidh explains what you need to know about the process of making a fatal accident claim. Following the death of a loved one in a fatal road traffic collision, or other sudden event...
Opinion  |  20:06:24
What is a Family Liaison Officer (FLO)? In conversation with Avon and Somerset FLOs
Roisin O’Dubhlaoidh interviews Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) to help share more about their role and why they do what they do. Family Liaison Officers perform a vital role in supporting families after the sudden...
Cycling path
Opinion  |  20:06:24
Does there really need to be a law for causing death or serious injury by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling?
Mark Hambleton looks at the Government’s proposed law on dangerous cycling and asks: do we even need this new law? Back in 2018 I wrote about the recommendations made to the Government to introduce the offence...

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