What Happens at an Inquest in Northern Ireland?

An inquest in Northern Ireland is a formal investigation led by a coroner into the circumstances surrounding a death.

The purpose of an inquest is to establish who the deceased person was and how, when and where they died. Depending on the circumstances, the coroner may consider a range of evidence before reaching findings.

An inquest is a fact-finding process. It is not a criminal trial or a civil damages claim, and its purpose is not to decide criminal guilt or award compensation.

Who Conducts an Inquest in Northern Ireland?

An inquest is conducted by a coroner, who is an independent judicial officer.

The coroner is responsible for deciding what evidence is required, which witnesses should be called and the scope of the issues that need to be investigated.

What Evidence May Be Considered?

The evidence considered will depend on the circumstances of the death.

This may include:

• medical records and post-mortem evidence;
• witness statements;
• expert evidence;
• records held by public authorities;
• documents, reports or correspondence relevant to the death; and
• oral evidence from witnesses called to the inquest.

The coroner may obtain evidence during the investigation before the inquest takes place and may also hear evidence during the inquest itself.

Who Can Take Part in an Inquest?

Family members may be involved in the inquest process, and other individuals or organisations may also participate where the coroner considers that they have a sufficient interest in the proceedings.

Those participating may be legally represented, depending on the circumstances of the case.

What Happens at the Inquest Hearing?

At the hearing, the coroner considers the relevant evidence and may hear from witnesses. Witnesses may be asked questions about matters that fall within the scope of the investigation.

Where family members are legally represented, their solicitor or barrister may be able to ask questions and make submissions where appropriate.

The precise structure of an inquest will depend on the circumstances of the death and the issues identified by the coroner.

What Does the Coroner Decide?

The coroner's role is to make findings about the death within the legal scope of the inquest.

This generally includes establishing:

• who the deceased person was;
• how they died;
• when they died; and
• where they died.

In some cases, including where Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights is engaged, the investigation may need to address how and in what circumstances the death occurred.

Can an Inquest Decide Who Is to Blame?

An inquest does not operate in the same way as a criminal prosecution or civil claim.

The coroner is carrying out an independent fact-finding investigation and does not determine criminal or civil liability. However, the findings may address important factual issues relating to how the death occurred.

How Long Does an Inquest Take?

There is no single timescale for an inquest. The length of the process can depend on factors such as the complexity of the circumstances, the evidence required, whether expert reports are needed and the number of individuals or organisations involved.

Before an inquest takes place, the coroner may need to complete a significant amount of investigative work, including obtaining records, reports and witness evidence.

Inquests and Legal Representation in Northern Ireland

For bereaved families, the inquest process can involve complex evidence, legal issues and questions about the actions of public authorities.

P.A. Duffy & Co advises and represents families throughout coronial proceedings in Northern Ireland.

You can also read our guide explaining when Article 2 may be relevant to an inquest, find out more about representation during inquest proceedings or explore our wider Human Rights and Public Law services.