Support videos

Inquest Information Evening

To lose a child or children is heart-breaking and yet as a mother or father of a son or daughter whose death was unexpected or in particular circumstances, we not only have to navigate our grief, but we may also have to cope with an inquest. For other family members - brothers, sisters, grandparents - dealing with this legal process as well as offering support to grieving parents while grieving themselves, coping with an inquest can also be painful and difficult.

This information evening offers an overview of the inquest process, advice and suggestions about preparation and an idea of what will happen on the day.Our speakers are Andrew Miller QC, Chair of Trustees of The Compassionate Friends, who will offer non- legalistic advice advice from the position of a bereaved parent who has gone through the inquest process and seen the effect of this on those who do not have any legal or other knowledge about inquests. Solicitor, Sefton Kwasnik, will be our second speaker covering information on legal and technical issues both before and during the inquest.

Some of the topics our speakers address are:

• What exactly is an inquest?
• Why is there going to be an inquest in respect of my child or sibling’s death?
• What can I expect from an inquest and what should I not expect?
• What do I need to know to prepare myself for an inquest?
• Are there things that I can do or should do before the inquest?
• Should I get legal assistance?
• What to expect at the Inquest and what not to expect?
• Legal and technical issues at the inquest?