Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reason a coroner's inquest is not held in circumstances where someone has been convicted in relation to the death of that individual.

Schedule 1 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 provides that where a coroner’s investigation is suspended because there are relevant criminal proceedings, the investigation may only be resumed if the coroner thinks there is sufficient reason for doing so. This is a judicial decision for the coroner.

In most circumstances a homicide trial will fulfil the function of the inquest in answering the four statutory questions (of who died and how, when and where they died) and any information needed to register the death.

Where the investigation or inquest is resumed, its conclusion on the cause of death must be consistent with the outcome of the criminal trial.

Further information can be found in our “Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People” which can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/859076/guide-to-coroner-services-bereaved-people-jan-2020.pdf