Giving evidence Coroners Court (trigger)

[torthecatlady]

My dad took his life at the start of August. I had to give a statement to the police last month which I was told would not be read out in court.

However, I have just received a letter from the Coroners Court asking me to give oral evidence at the inquest.

At my mum's inquest 5 years ago, no one had to give evidence. We just had to sit there while the court went through the details relating to her death (she had terminal cancer, but pneumonia was the cause).

I'm struggling to cope to be honest. I have no idea what is expected of me. The office is closed on the weekend, so I've left a voicemail.

I can appreciate that this is a sensitive subject... Does anyone have any experience in this or work for a coroners office that may be able to help me please?

Nothing to offer except and a bump.

Thank you

Hopefully someone who has experience will come along soon. I'd like to say, they must be reasonably sensitive, or there would be an outcry.

I attended my son's inquest. I didn't have to speak, but the person who was with him had to read a statement, as did the police officer and the paramedic.
The coroner's court was a calm, quiet place.
I was met on arrival by a lovely volunteer who took me to awaiting room, offered me a glass of water and tissues and explained everything that would happen. He could not have been kinder or more reassuring.
He escorted me to my seat in the court room.
The coroner was equally kind and patient, particularly with the young man who was with my son the night he died. The coroner actually read the written statement for him, then asked him if he wanted to add or change anything.
At the end of the inquest, the coroner gave his verdict, offered his sympathies, and everyone left.

Please do ask if there is anything else I can answer OP.

I had already been given copies of the written statements prior to the inquest, so nothing came as a shock. It was still very distressing to hear, but at least I knew what was coming. I had also seen the post mortem report.
The PM wasn't read in full at the inquest, just the timings and the cause of death.
The coroner also asked if I was in agreement with the pathologist's conclusions, or if I had any questions. He checked that I was comfortable with the final wording on the death certificate.

Thank you for your comments. Sorry to hear about your son.

I don't feel comfortable reading the statement I already gave the police as I think it would be insensitive to my dad's widow as my last conversation with dad didn't paint her in a good light as he was upset with her.

I was assured it wouldn't be read in court. I'm quite anxious about that, as obviously that was dad's opinion, not my own. I've left a voicemail with the coroners office and hopefully they will get back to me next week. I obviously won't withhold any important information, but I may have been more careful with how I had worded things.

I hope they won't be a reporter there, there was one at my mum's and we couldn't stop him coming in.

I didn't even want to go to the inquest as I've already had the PM results. It's all such a mess and I really can't cope with it all.

When is the inquest due, do you know? Has the date been set?

Yes it's in December.

Ok, so there is a fair bit of time to check what statements will be used, and make sure you are comfortable with everything that is said.

Often when a relative is asked to give evidence its only to confirm the personal details of the person who died. The role of the inquest is to determine who the person was and how where and when they came about their death. As next of kin your evidence is to answer the first part (and you may be invited to speak about the circumstances - but you should be able to clarify this with the coroner’s officer before the date). If you have concerns speak to the coroner’s officers as they are there to guide and support you.

I hope on Monday someone can alleviate your concerns

Ive been to coroner's court. We went with our family liaison officer. The gentleman who found my dd( she was murdered) also attended.
It was all over quickly. In our case reporter's and the local press were also present.
The trial and court case that followed were definitely more stressful.

I've had to go three times because of my work.

@Inneedofgoodluck is right. You'll be asked some very straightforward questions and it shouldn't be too stressful.

I had to go when my mum committed suicide, we were met by a liaison who made sure we had somewhere quiet to wait. Everyone was very considerate and questions were kept to a minimum, asked respectfully and kindly.

It is an environment where everyone just wants to try to understand what happened, there are no accusations, arguments or blame.

It's an unpleasant experience because of the subject matter but the people try to make it as bearable as possible.

@torthecatlady so very sorry about your dad, that must be really difficult for you to deal with. Some years ago whilst walking my dog I came across a man who had committed suicide, I won't go into details but it was very traumatic. As I found him I had to attend the inquest and give evidence, I was asked very factual questions such as why was I there that day, what did I see, what did I do etc. I answered truthfully but there is no getting away from the fact that it was upsetting to relive the day. Others also gave evidence the man's wife was also asked factual questions regarding his home life, any financial problems (sadly there were) etc. All the questions to the witnesses were very gently put and it was clear they were only trying to establish what had happened on that fateful day. Try not to worry too much the staff at the coroners court are used to helping witnesses and will gently guide you.

I attended my husband's. Like the above poster said, I was just asked to describe him and our family life, if we had any money troubles etc.
That was it, the statements of the emergency services were read out and then the coroner said a few words and gave his conclusion.
I was the only person present and the coroner and coroner's assistant couldn't have been kinder to me.

I was called to give evidence at my mum's after her suicide. V little support for us and I was directly questioned by the mental.health trusts solicitor. It was a horrendous experience that I've been meaning to complain about but life took over and I've just tried to blank it. I was actually told I could step down because I was in the middle of a late miscarriage and wish I had. They may let you submit a written statement instead (Not your police one) x

I'm sorry that I dropped off this thread. I'm not doing very well at the moment with my physical and mental health and I'm in the process of trying to organise some counselling. I seem to be getting more bad news everyday and life seems to be falling apart. You honestly couldn't make it up. This year has been completely awful in every way.

I spoke with the coroners office and they were not helpful (or sensitive) and were very blunt about the facts. I'm pretty annoyed with how they've dealt with things. They will ask me everything again in court from the days leading up to his disappearance.

They've actually sent me everyone's statements as well, which means my dad's widow will have seen mine which is what I was initially worried about. So fuck it, I guess. She's already seen it so what's the harm in saying it all again?

Incidentally, they have accidentally enclosed very sensitive details about another case with about a young boy with the same first name... I'm not really sure what to do about that

Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences which I'm sure is really difficult to speak about.

Oh dear that sounds awful.
Sorry they are not being sensitive or helpful.
They have breached confidentiality wrt the other family.

Sorry things are so difficult for you. Sending 💐

Maybe this link helps regarding the data against incident

ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/

I have not been in this situation nor do I know anyone who has, really just wanted say I'm sorry you're having to relive this again and I hope it goes as wel as it can

We were sent everyone's statements. The coroners office you are dealing with sounds awful.
Do you have a FLO assigned to your case.
I would have been furious if my dd's paperwork was sent to another family.
Take care

I am a newspaper reporter and spend a lot of time in the coroner’s court. They will take you slowly through your statement and you’ll probably have to say a lot of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ but unless any of the parties has a solicitor present there is unlikely to be much probing.

It probably better that everyone has seen all the statements so it doesn’t come as a shock in court.

Don’t worry too much OP. The coroner’s court is the gentlest of all the courts. If there is a newspaper reporter there they won’t go into detail with your statement unless it is absolutely crucial to the cause of death.

My advice is to take your time and if you can’t remember something then it’s fine to say that.

The coroner should just read your statement out under rule 23. They need evidence in writing or in person about whether he intended to take his life, to determine whether it was suicide (rather than an accident, or a action intending to be found).
Unless anyone is objecting, and you’ve made it clear in your statement already, try emailing the court and saying you don’t want to attend court if you don’t want to? They can probably do it without you being there.
If there is any section you don’t want to be read our in public, tell the court that now in writing by email. They may listen to you. Best of luck and I’m sorry for your loss

I'm sending you my very best, OP. I went to the coroner's court five years ago for my mum. The coroner was very gentle and kind as I gave my evidence, which was just a factual summary. I found it helpful to go. I learned some things I hadn't realised at the time about her death. It really helped to know that I hadn't let her down about organ donation. I forgot to ask, and the hospital didn't ask me because she had multiple organ failure.

I am sorry you've had the extra stress of the statements being shared. At least it is in the open, and it is a part what happened. The coroner will help you through your evidence, and the team at court are thoughtful and understanding. If you have questions, I will do my best to answer.