The office of coroner dates back to at least 1194 and the reign of Richard I. Primarily focused initially on ensuring revenues for the Crown, by 1500 the main task left to the coroner was the investigation of sudden death. In 2023, 195,000 deaths were reported to the coroner (34% of all registered deaths) and 36,900 inquests were opened across the 77 jurisdictions in England and Wales.

The inquest process involves a different form of advocacy from what might be experienced during training and a different procedure from that used in the family, criminal and civil courts. Adapting your advocacy style to the inquisitorial process rather than an adversarial procedure can be a steep learning curve.

There is lots of inquest work at the junior end, and yet it is not a regular area of law taught at law schools or on the Bar course. This weekend will examine how inquisitorial advocacy differs from other forms of advocacy; the differences in procedure and goals of the coroners courts; and common traps and pitfalls to be avoided. You will hear from experienced coroners and lawyers, but also those dealing directly with the bereaved.

This is an area of law that rightly arouses difficult emotions; dealing with sudden, violent, and unexpected deaths and the people those deaths affect. Support will be available throughout the weekend.

Come and join us for what promises to be a fascinating, invigorating and educational weekend. It will give you the opportunity to discuss issues surrounding this difficult area with practitioners, judges and charity workers. It will also give you the chance to practice your advocacy in making and pursuing applications at Pre-Inquest Review Hearings, and making legal submissions at the conclusion of an inquest.