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Voicing loss: Meanings and implications of participation by bereaved people in inquests

Research considers the role of families during coroners inquests and how their involvement in the process can be improved upon.

Bereaved family

In May 2021, Birkbeck’s Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR), in partnership with the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath, launched a study on the role of bereaved people in inquests.

Coroners are independent judicial office holders appointed by the local authority. Over 40% of registered deaths in England and Wales are typically reported to the coroner each year, of which around 12-16% become the subject of a coroner's inquest. The purpose of the inquest is to determine who died, and when, where and how the death occurred, in cases where the death was violent, unnatural, unexplained, or took place in custody or other form of state detention.

Close family of the deceased can attend the inquest as 'interested persons'. This gives them the right to question witnesses and to ask to see evidence in advance of the hearing. In practice, however, bereaved people have an uncertain and ambiguous role and status in the inquest, and receive highly variable treatment. This is despite an explicit policy commitment to place bereaved families 'at the heart of' the coronial process.

What is being researched?

The study, led by Professor Jessica Jacobson, Director, Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, will address the following questions:

1) How is the status and role of the bereaved at inquests defined in law and policy, and what are bereaved people’s own expectations and experiences of inquests?

2) To what extent, in what ways and circumstances, and for what purposes, should bereaved people be ‘at the heart’ of the coronial process and have an active role in inquest proceedings? 

3) What policy and practice changes would support more effective inclusion and involvement of bereaved people in inquests?

4) The main empirical component of the research will entail gathering personal accounts from bereaved people who have attended inquests. The research activities will also encompass a policy review, conceptual and normative analysis, and extensive stakeholder engagement.

“Research participants will be invited to reflect on their expectations and experiences of the inquest with respect to its outcome, the way it was conducted, the support or assistance they received, the part they played in proceedings, and whether and how attending the inquest impacted their grieving.”

Entrance to court

Expected impact

Professor Jessica Jacobson said, “The main evidence-based component will gather personal accounts from individuals who have been bereaved in a range of circumstances. In one-to-one interviews and written accounts and at Family Listening Days (to be run by the charity INQUEST), research participants will be invited to reflect on their expectations and experiences of the inquest with respect to its outcome, the way it was conducted, the support or assistance they received, the part they played in proceedings, and whether and how attending the inquest impacted their grieving.”

One of the key aims of the study is to develop and disseminate recommendations for reform. These will support inclusion and involvement of bereaved people in inquests (and, potentially, in other kinds of legal proceedings which are concerned with deaths and involve bereaved people) in ways that are viable, appropriate and attuned to their own expectations. 

Project fact file

Full project title: Voicing loss, Meaning and implications of participation by bereaved people in inquests

Funder: Economic and Social Research Council (reference ES/V002732/1)

Project Funding: £780,756

Duration: May 2021 to December 2023

People: Principal Investigator,  Professor Jessica Jacobson, ICPR.