What is a coronial inquest in Australia?
A coronial inquest is a public hearing held to determine the medical cause of a death and the circumstances surrounding the death.
Are Victorian coroners reports public?
Coroners Court of Victoria hearings are generally open to the public. Hearings are generally held at the Coroners Court of Victoria in Melbourne unless otherwise noted.
Are pictures shown at inquest?
Please be aware that the reports, especially the post mortem examination report, contain detailed medical information and/or descriptions of injuries. We do not usually include photographs of your relative or their place of death. If you do not want disclosure, let the officer in charge of your case know.
What happens at a coronial inquest?
What happens at a coronial inquest? An inquest is a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to an incident. Once the coroner decides to hold an inquest, a notice will be published about the inquest. An inquest’s length will depend on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses and relevant parties.
How long do coronial inquests take?
How long will a coronial inquest take? The length of an inquest can vary widely, depending on how complex the case is and how many witness need to be called to give evidence. Some inquests take a couple of hours, while some can take many weeks or even months for larger cases.
How long does a coronial inquest take?
Whilst some cases may be resolved within a few months, the majority of cases take considerably longer. An investigation often takes up to 12 months and in rare instances, even longer.
How does a coronial inquest work?
Inquests differ from other court proceedings, such as criminal trials. A Coroner will usually only decide to hold an inquest if: the circumstances surrounding the death or fire are unclear. if there are broader issues of public health and safety that need to be examined.
How long does a coronial investigation take?
The reality is that a coronial investigation is both complex and lengthy. Whilst some cases may be resolved within a few months, the majority of cases take considerably longer. An investigation often takes up to 12 months and in rare instances, even longer.
What happens after a coronial inquest?
If a Coronial inquest takes place If the Coroner decides an inquest is required, the family of the deceased person will receive a letter advising of the inquest date. The inquest will be held, and the Coroner will make his or her findings. This will complete the coronial process.
Who are the parties in a coronial inquest?
What is an Interested Party at a Coronial Inquest
- A person or persons closely related to the deceased.
- The employer of a person killed in the course of employment.
- Any person who may have caused or contributed to the death.
What is involved in a coronial inquest?
What is the coronial process?
The Coronial Process In most circumstances, the Coroner’s role is to review suspicious and accidental deaths; to identify the person who has died and to find out how their death occurred, including the cause and circumstances.
Are inquest records available to the public?
Inquests are in public All inquests are public and anyone can attend. Reports of an inquest may be published in national and local newspapers, but in practice only a minority of inquests are actually reported. You can get a copy of an inquest report from the Coroner’s Office when the inquest has concluded.