Coroners Courts Duty Lawyers Scheme

Bedfordshire Coroner’s Courts Duty Lawyers Scheme

Supported by Mr David S. Morris, H. M. Coroner for The District of Bedfordshire and Luton, and the Road Victims Trust.

The period immediately after suffering an unexpected bereavement is likely to be a highly stressful and anxious period for most families. Many are unprepared for the Coroner’s Inquest.

The Inquest is an investigation carried out by a Coroner into the identity of the person who has died, and how, when and where that person met his or her death. Often, members of family are called by the Coroner as witnesses. Even if no member of family gives evidence, the family or its legal representative will be allowed by the Coroner to ask questions of the witnesses so as to assist in establishing the circumstances of the death.

Because it is recognised that families often find it difficult to focus on the legal issues surrounding an unexpected death in its immediate aftermath, a group of local solicitors and barristers has set up a free duty lawyer scheme to offer advice, assistance and representation to bereaved families at the Coroner’s Courts in Bedfordshire.

At each Inquest held in the county, there will be present at least one solicitor or barrister experienced in Coroner’s Courts available to members of bereaved families without charge. He or she will be introduced to you by the representatives of RVT. The lawyer will be able to explain the court procedure and how the Inquest operates, from simple matters like where members of family should sit, to more complicated matters like the sort of questions they may ask. If you wish, the lawyer will obtain details of the evidence the Coroner will hear from the Coroner’s Officer, and will ask the witnesses questions on behalf of the family.

The lawyers presently on the rota are as follows: