What Is an Inquest?
An inquest is a formal investigation led by a Coroner to establish the facts surrounding a death.
It answers four key questions:
- Who the person was
- When they died
- Where they died
- How they came by their death
An inquest does not decide blame or guilt, but it can:
- Provide answers and clarity
- Identify potential failings
- Highlight risks to prevent future deaths
For many families, it is an important step in understanding what happened. However, the inquest process is complicated and can be daunting, especially at a time when you are already trying to cope with your loss.
Our inquest solicitors have extensive experience helping families during the inquest process. We understand that many people feel unsure about reaching out to a solicitor, however we are just regular people with special skills, and we are here to help you.
Find out more in our advice guide A Families Guide to Inquests
Family’s Guide to Inquests →
Representation at an Inquest
You are not required to have a solicitor at an inquest. However, many cases involve organisations that are legally represented, such as:
- NHS Trusts
- Police or prison services
- Care providers
- Government bodies
This can make the process feel unbalanced. — especially when you are grieving.
A specialist inquest solicitor can help you:
- Understand the process and what to expect
- Review evidence and identify missing information
- Ensure the right issues are investigated
- Request the right witnesses and ask the right questions at the hearing
- Represent you at the inquest hearing
- Support you to prepare a family statement (or speak on your behalf)
- Consider whether Article 2 (Right to Life) applies
- Deal with any press before, during and after the hearing
Most importantly, you will feel supported, informed, and not alone.
Contact Us →
How We Support You Through the Inquest
Before the Inquest
- Review documents, records, and evidence
- Identify gaps or concerns
- Advise on the scope of the investigation
- Help prepare your questions
- Prepare family statements and submissions
- Liaise with the Coroner and relevant organisations
Representation at Inquest Hearings
- Representation at Pre‑Inquest Review hearings
- Representation at the full inquest hearing
- Careful questioning of witnesses
- Clear advice throughout, without legal jargon
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After the Inquest
- Explain the final conclusion in plain English
- Advise on any Prevention of Future Deaths reports
- Discuss possible next steps, including legal claims
- Support you with funding and future options
Funding: Legal Aid and Other Options
We understand that legal costs are a major worry — however it shouldn’t be a barrier to getting legal support.
We hold a Legal Aid contract and can:
- Check eligibility and explain your options
- Apply for funding where available
- Explore alternative funding if needed
If you’re unsure, speak to us anyway. We’ll be open and straightforward about funding options. We can explore all areas of funding for you and we also offer competitive fees for privately-funded cases if needed.
Why Choose Howells for an Inquest?
Families often come to us because they want more than technical advice — they want someone who will take the weight off their shoulders and treat them like a person, not a file.
Why families choose Howells
- Compassionate, down-to-earth approach — we explain everything clearly
- Dedicated inquest team that offer hands on and intimate support and advice – always available for you
- Representation at hearings — not just “behind the scenes” paperwork
- Legal Aid contract — and help exploring funding where possible
- Specialist experience in complex and sensitive inquests
- A team that is responsive, supportive and proactive
- We cover the entirety of the UK
- Face to face, telephone and remote meetings available offering flexibility and real human contact with your solicitor
- Free case assessments – we will review your case and give you honest feedback
If you’ve been told an inquest has opened, we can help you understand what it means — and what you can do next.
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Types of Inquests We Help With
We represent families in a wide range of inquests, including:
- Deaths in police custody or following police contact
- Deaths in prison
- Deaths while detained under the Mental Health Act
- Hospital or care home deaths
- Workplace deaths
- Road traffic fatalities
- Deaths by suicide
If the circumstances are unclear or you feel there are questions that must be answered, we can help.
Find out more on Why Having Representation Matters at an Inquest
Why Having Representation Matters at an Inquest →
Article 2 Inquests (Right to Life)
Some inquests are more detailed and involve the right to life under Article 2.
These may apply where there are concerns that a public body:
- Caused or contributed to the death
- Failed to protect someone’s life
Article 2 inquests are often more complex and may involve multiple organisations.
We can advise early on whether this applies and what it means for:
- The scope of the investigation
- Evidence and witnesses
- Funding options, including Legal Aid
Experienced Inquest Solicitors Supporting Families Across the UK
At Howells Solicitors, our specialist inquest solicitors support families through complex, sensitive, and often overwhelming inquests. We represent families across England and Wales, including at Coroners’ Courts in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and nationwide.
We understand that an inquest often comes at an incredibly difficult time. Our team is known for being approachable, down to earth, and genuinely supportive.
We guide families through every stage of the inquest process, from initial investigations and pre‑inquest review hearings through to representation at the final hearing and support after the conclusion.
Families regularly describe us as a steady, reassuring presence, helping them navigate what can feel like an unfamiliar and emotional legal process.
What Families Say About Our Inquest Team
“I felt totally overwhelmed… everything was explained in a way which was easy to understand. I was reassured from that point on.”
“Going through an extremely heartbreaking time and you were very sympathetic and compassionate.”
“From the moment we contacted Howells, the team were responsive, proactive, and 100% dedicated.”
“Professional, very understanding… and made me feel more at ease about going forward.”
Tell Us Your Story
If you’ve lost someone and an inquest has been opened, we’re here to help you find clarity and feel supported throughout.
Contact us or call us on 0114 2496 648 to book a free assessment today.
Contact Us →
A Guide to Inquests
We have created a downloadable guide that explains, in plain English, what an inquest is, when it happens, what the hearing is for, and how families can take part. It also covers pre‑inquest review hearings, possible conclusions, Article 2 (Right to Life) inquests, and what happens after the inquest. This guide also explains Article 2 (Right to Life) and jury inquests, and what families can do at each stage.
Download the guide here.
Download Guide →
Why Having Representation Matters in an Inquest
We have created a guide which explains why having representation at an inquest can matter, and how specialist solicitors can support you through the process. See the video below or read our online article.
Find out more on Why Having Representation Matters at an Inquest
Why Having Representation Matters at an Inquest →
Inquest Case Studies
Barnsley School Safeguarding Failures
We represented a family at an inquest which exposed critical failings in safeguarding and delays in mental health referrals by a school.
The Coroner identified multiple concerns, including:
- Failure to act on repeated welfare warnings
- Significant delays in accessing mental health support
- Poor recording and escalation of safeguarding concerns
- Failure to share vital information with family and professionals
The inquest highlighted missed opportunities to intervene and resulted in a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report, raising serious concerns about how schools manage safeguarding and referrals to specialist services.
Read Case Study →
Misdiagnosis and Neglect in Child Sepsis Death
Our specialist inquest team also represented the family of 16‑month‑old James Philliskirk at Sheffield Coroner’s Court.
The inquest found that:
- Clear symptoms of sepsis were not recognised
- Clinical guidelines were not followed
- Concerns raised by parents and healthcare professionals were dismissed
- Opportunities to escalate care were missed
A jury concluded that his death was contributed to by neglect, and a Prevention of Future Deaths report was issued to drive improvements in hospital care and patient safety.
Read Case Study →
Police Failings and Access to Justice Concerns
We supported the family of Emily Greene during a complex inquest involving multiple State bodies.
The Coroner identified:
- Failures in the police investigation of a reported assault
- Delays in responding when she was reported missing
- Missed opportunities to intervene
The case also raised wider concerns about access to Legal Aid in Article 2 inquests, highlighting the challenges families face when seeking accountability from State organisations.
Read Case Study →
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