Legal Representation At An Inquest

[bednobs]

is it advisable to have legal representation as an IP at an inquest? I asked the coroners office, but they said they werent able to advise - some people do and some dont. I have no previous experience, so don't know

[Peter Pedant]

yes if you are likely to be criticised

no if not: when I scraped a dead 10 y old off the motorway
I just stood up and told the coroner what had happened

(playing chicken on a motorway, and wiped out by the car in front ( thank god)) - driver of the death car wasnt represented either

[bednobs]

what sort of representation PP?
I presume i cant just rock up at the solicitors that dealt with my will and ask them?

[jackthehat]

Given the sad circumstances, it may be worth you having an impartial legal bod there to absorb what is being said (you may be too distressed to fully pick up everything), and also to ask for any issues raised to be clarified, etc. S/he will know the correct questions to ask.

[jackthehat]

You could give them a ring, bednobs, and ask if it is the sort of thing they do. If it isn't, they ought to be able to explain how best to proceed.

xx

[Stableford]

It is definitely worth speaking to solicitors who advertise free legal advice. When I attended the inquest of my aunt (died in care suddenly due to choking after being provided with unsuitable food) , I wished afterwards I had brought someone else along. If you are directly involved, and it is a relative, you will be emotionally involved, and may as a result be glad of someone else who has the unemotionally uncluttered mind. When professionals at the inquest made contradictory claims, I felt unable to express my concerns. If you decide not to take legal representatives with you, consider taking a friend who is not emotionally attached to the inquest.

[bednobs]

We are not allowed to in these vivid times. Limited to 2 family members plus legal rep. They have said if more people turn up from our "side" itll be adjourned

[bednobs]

For vivid read covid

[gness]

Bednobs. The Coroner who ordered the inquest into my husband's death wanted all deaths from C Diff to be questioned.
By the time the inquest was held she'd retired and the Coroner who replaced her had very different ideas. I later found out that she was married to a hospital doctor. This may have influenced her thinking.

She marched into the room questioning why we were here, it was a waste of time and stating that C Diff was a natural progression of illness, unavoidable, and she had already reached her verdict.

I'm feisty but calm and very unemotional. By the end of the inquest (during which I spoke often, questioned her and the doctors and produced evidence from my notes and photographs) she had changed her thoughts on the verdict which then allowed me, if I wished, to take action against the hospital.
Were I doing it again though I would certainly have legal representation. If I had been timid or nervous I would have had to accept a very different verdict.

[Peter Pedant]

// she had changed her thoughts on the verdict which then allowed me, if I wished, to take action against the hospital.//

a coroners verdict is never a bar to civil action

what sort of representation PP?//
legal - no legal aid - and you are looking at £200 a n hour
and for what?

accidental death and or misadventure is irrelevant to anything else.

and yes you can tool up to the crowd who did your will
and ask but this is a specialised area

rules of the court are - unintuitive and unfamiliar
he doesnt summons but 'warns' - he cant arrest but can instruct a policeman to arrest ( like you know he has powers of arrest). He does the witness calling, and you cant
you ask questions at his pleasure / behest

but that still doesnt mean you need a lawyer present pocketing your moolah

[calmck]

If you feel that certain questions might upset you and make it difficult for you to answer then legal representation would be advisable. If, thinking about what you could be asked, is concerning to you now then again yes have representation. Do you have any idea what the coroner might conclude and this might be upsetting again I would have someone there who could answer for me impassionately. I hope the whole thing is not too distressing for you.

[Peter Pedant]

Lawyer doesnt answer for you
never has

[bednobs]

Thanks everyone. Yes it is incredibly distressing already cal and its only being opened and adjourned next week. The investigation is still ongoing and although the date has been set for later in the year, if the investigation is still not finished by then it will bevadjournedc again I suppose

[bednobs]

At the moment we have no idea what the coroner will conclude but I guess as an IP well have the same evidence she does before the date

[calmck]

If only being opened and adjourned then probably not necessary but keep as an option for when inquest is resumed if you feel the outcome of all investigations might help.
My thoughts will be with you

[bednobs]

Yes I'm not going to go to the opening and adjournment as it's a paper exercise (so I've been told). Om just thinking ahead to later in the year as I dont want to be scrabbling round at the last moment

[gness]

My thoughts too, Bednobs. I found the eighteen months waiting and preparing for the inquest hard.

[gness]

Thinking ahead is wise. I was very prepared in every way and that made it a little easier on the day.

[bednobs]

I've found the 18 months waiting for a funeral unbearable and this is just extra cherry on top

[gness]

I know you did, Bednobs. I know too that what you are having to deal with now has to be so much harder than my experience was. I really do feel for you. X

[Mamyalynne]

It's like torture, so cruel (x)