Legal Support

DUTY LAWYERS SCHEME

BEDFORDSHIRE CORONER’S COURT

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 representatives of the Road Victims Trust, a local charity set up to support those who have been bereaved or suffered life-changing injury in our county. 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, you may ask the lawyer to question witnesses on behalf of the family.

The lawyers who offer their services on the rota for 2008/09 are as follows: