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Inquest Solicitors

Inquest Solicitors – Supporting You Every Step of the Way

Losing someone you love is overwhelming. If an inquest has been opened, it can leave you with more questions than answers — and a legal process that feels unfamiliar and difficult to face. Our specialist inquest solicitors support families across the UK. We take a clear, compassionate approach, explaining everything in plain English and guiding you through each stage with care.

 

We don’t just deal with paperwork — we represent you at hearings, prepare your case, and make sure your voice is heard throughout the process. We also hold a Legal Aid contract, and we will explore all funding options available to help reduce the financial worry.

 

You don’t have to go through this alone. We are here to help you understand what happened, ask the right questions, and feel supported every step of the way.

 

The inquest team at Howells is well-respected in their field. They have extensive experience helping families during the inquest process and representing them at a Coroners hearings.

 

Talk to an Inquest Solicitor Today
Inquest Solicitors

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Our Inquest Solicitors Can Support You With:

 

No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Solicitors
Medical Negligence Solicitors
Death Due to Medical Negligence

Advice Guides

A Families Guide to Inquests

Inquest Into the Death of a Toddler Due to Dismissed Symptoms From Doctors

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

Why Legal Representation Matters 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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Inquests Frequently Asked Questions

A Coroner decides whether an inquest is required. This usually happens when a death is unexplained, sudden, or raises concerns about the circumstances.

A Coroner is an independent judicial officer who investigates deaths. They can gather evidence, request reports, and call witnesses to establish what happened.

At an inquest, the family and those involved in the deceased’s treatment will present evidence to the Coroner. The inquest will aim to answer four key questions: Who the deceased was, when they died, where they died and how they came by their death.

Some inquests take a few hours, while more complex cases can last several days or longer. The full process, including investigations, can take months before a final hearing takes place.

If the Coroner starts an inquest under Article 2, legal aid may be available. This aid will pay for a solicitor’s fees. If it’s not article 2, you might still qualify for funding. This funding can help with preparing for an inquest or a pre-inquest hearing.

Yes. Families can ask questions to help understand the circumstances of the death. A solicitor can assist in preparing and asking these questions clearly.

Not always. Some families choose to attend, while others prefer their solicitor to represent them. Some hearings may also be attended remotely.

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.

Why Families Choose Howells Solicitors

– Specialist inquest solicitors with over 40 years’ experience

– Free case assessments with clear, honest advice

– Recognised in The Legal 500

– Accredited Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) specialists

– 99% client satisfaction rating on Review Solicitors

– Nationwide representation across all Coroners’ Courts

We are committed to ensuring families can participate fully in the inquest process, particularly where public bodies are involved and legal representation is essential.

Our inquest team includes Elizabeth Walton, an Inquest and Medical Negligence Solicitor who supports families at every stage of the inquest process, providing clear, practical advice and reassurance during what can be an incredibly difficult time. She has experience in complex and sensitive inquests involving multiple organisations, expert evidence and contested hearings, and also assists with medical negligence cases where concerns about care may lead to a wider claim.

Alongside Elizabeth is Philippa Matthews, a highly experienced Civil Liberties and Inquest Solicitor with a strong track record of representing families in complex cases involving police contact, deaths in custody and Article 2 (Right to Life) inquests. Philippa also specialises in judicial review, human rights claims and police misconduct, and has acted in significant cases in the High Court and Supreme Court.

The team also includes Jenna Kisala, a Senior Medical Negligence Solicitor and Accredited AvMA Panel Member, who has extensive experience in complex cases involving delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, birth injuries and failures in hospital care. Jenna regularly supports families at inquests where there are concerns about medical treatment, providing clear, joined-up advice where an inquest may lead to a wider legal claim. Together, the team is known for its compassionate, approachable manner—taking the time to listen, explain the process in plain English, and ensure families feel supported, informed and confident throughout.

Talk to an Inquest Solicitor Today

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