Coroners’ inquests
At Browne Jacobson, we recognise that the inquest process is a daunting prospect for witnesses and can carry a high risk of criticism for the organisation. Our highly-experienced team provides skilled advice and representation to organisations involved in complex and high-profile coroner inquests.
We’ll guide you through the coroner inquest process, helping witnesses feel more at ease and ensuring your organisation is able to answer those important questions.
We’ll support your organisation at an early stage, advising on evidence, likely risk or reputational damage. We’ll help with organisational learning strategy to help mitigate a Prevention of Future Deaths report. And we’ll provide honest and pragmatic advice across all areas of the inquest process.
Our experienced team of barristers, including a part-time HM Assistant Coroner, brings together decades of inquest experience and expertise.
We represent the interests of NHS bodies, private health organisations, local authorities, educational institutions, national regulators and global companies.
We provide representation to clients across the country for inquests lasting days, or weeks. Whether you require robust advice and representation or simply reassurance, we’ll tailor our approach to your needs, helping to ensure your organisation navigates the inquest process in the best way possible.
Featured experience
A mental health trust
Inquest concerning the death of a toddler murdered by her mother, examining communications and processes between agencies for safeguarding minors.
A community mental health MOD discharge
Inquest examining care provided to ex-service personnel and how community mental health services link to care provided by the MOD.
An acute NHS Trust linked ERCP
Four combined inquests investigating deaths following routine ERCP procedures undertaken by the same trainee surgeon.
A global courier company
Inquest to examine the company working practices following criminal conviction of delivery driver for death of pedestrian. Causation not established.
Related expertise
Key contacts
Fiona Butler
Partner (Barrister)
Ben Bentley
Partner (Barrister)
Samantha Paxman
Partner (Barrister)
Ian Perkins
Barrister (Senior Associate)
Sarah Vince
Barrister (Senior Associate)
Luke Berry
Barrister (Senior Associate)
Holly Quirk
Senior Associate
Andrew Cullen
Barrister (Senior Associate)
Kiera Riddy
Barrister (Associate)
Heather Andersen
Barrister (Associate)
Testimonials
“Nursing and medical staff praise and thank Luke for his sound knowledge of our policies, procedures, awareness and understanding of each case, and of his support and assistance at inquests which are described as one of the worst times in their careers’ but made considerably more bearable by Luke’s involvement.”
“Just wanted to thank you for all your support with the inquest, Sarah. We would not have had the outcome we did without all your hard work and dedication. It was lovely to work with you!”
“Ian is very experienced and a safe pair of hands”
“What a great result you had with this case, Sam. I’m sure our success was down to your presentation of the case and it was an outcome that was well received considering how high profile this one was.”
You may be interested in...
Training - Shared Insights
Giving evidence at a Coroner’s inquest – guidance for clinical witnesses
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Shared Insights: Coroners Question Time
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Shared Insights: Coroner’s Question Time
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Inquests and Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) A practical guide following the case of Maguire
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Learning from Reports to Prevent Future Deaths in Mental Health settings - A Review of PFDs nationally 2022-2023
Legal Update
Reports to Prevent Future Deaths: What are the issues affecting ambulance trusts nationally?
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroners’ Question Time
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters - January 2023
Opinion
Coroner’s refusal to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths Report following death in prison custody inquest was lawful
On-Demand
Insights from the Chief Coroner by His Honour Judge Thomas Teague, KC
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroners' Question Time
In this session, our speakers discussed fundamentals of disclosure, general points on disclosure & Post-Pandemic, interested Persons & Patient Safety Incident Response, and how we can help & Takeaway Tips.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Overview of inquests in relation to deaths in custody
In this session, our speakers discussed gave an overview of inquests in relation to deaths in custody and discussed three key themes; Documentation Provision, Communication, and Decision making. They also discussed Healthcare in a prison setting - manging the unique challenges.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Safeguarding Forum - Safe discharge and conveyance of patients
It is important to bear in mind the legal framework when planning discharge and conveyance plans but practicalities are also key.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroners’ Question Time, part 2
The panel of experienced Coroners gave an outline of the current backlog and the pandemic recovery plan implemented in their jurisdiction.
Training - Maternity services
Maternity mock inquest - film 1
Consent is often a key issue in obstetric claims and if it is relevant to the facts of the death, its likely to be an area explored by a coroner.
Training - Maternity services
Maternity mock inquest - film 2
This video illustrates some of the issues that can arise when a witness is poorly prepared.
Training - Maternity services
Maternity mock inquest - film 3
This film highlights the importance of creating an open and transparent culture where staff feel able to speak up will help Trusts to identify problematic practise before significant issues arise.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Inquests: recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic
In this Shared Insights session we discussed how different Coroners are approaching recovery from the pandemic.
Opinion
Chief Coroner Guidance - R (on the application of Maughan)
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Claims update and look ahead to the issues that will shape the approach to claims in the NHS in 2021
Insights were shared on procedure, witness statements, withdrawing admissions and taking screenshots and photos in remote hearings.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Preparing for remote inquest hearings and dealing with inquests in a pandemic
Guidance for NHS Trusts on how to prepare for remote inquests.
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Shared Insights: Supporting clinicians through investigations, complaints, claims and inquests
The second victim and supporting clinicians through investigations, complaints, claims and inquests.
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Shared Insights: Managing PPE and inquests
Carl May-Smith discusses the guidance and risk assessments for PPE, documenting decisions about PPE strategy and responding to PPE shortages in relation to Covid-19.