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Types of hearing

There are typically three types of inquest hearings:

  1. Inquest Opening:
    • Held at the start of the inquest process to gather initial evidence.
    • Usually determines who the deceased was, and where and when they died.
    • Usually held after a post mortem has taken place but before all the evidence has been collected to complete the inquest.
    • The Coroner may grant permission for the body to be released for burial or cremation at this hearing.
  2. Pre-Inquest Review:
    • Reviews the issues and evidence for the final hearing.
    • Needed for complex cases where there are uncertainties about the cause of death after evidence has been collected.
  3. Resumed:
    • Determines who the deceased was, and where, when, and how the person died.
    • The Coroner may suggest measures to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Not all inquests will need all three types of hearing.

If you are a family member or an interested person in relation to a specific inquest then you will be informed of hearing dates and times directly by the Coroner's Officers and you will be able to attend and ask questions at these hearings.