Inquest due to negligence

[Blossomroses]

My father passed away in Nov 2025 - we was given an interim death certificate however there will be an inquest heard this Nov 2026 into causes of his death.

There was failure I feel but which I have raised with the coroner.

Now I’m a little unsure as if I want to pursue to sue the hospital would I need a solicitor present at the inquest? Or is this a complete different matter & we will need to take it to court at a further date?

Inquests are entirely different from suing someone for money.

An inquest is a fact finding hearing to enable a coroner to answer four statutory questions. Who the deceased was, where they died, when they died and how they died.

The focus is usually the how question. If there are concerns about care playing a role in death this will be examined and there may also be independent evidence about what should have happened and if the deceased would have died if care was different.

The standard of proof is usually the balance of probabilities or more likely than not (except where a specific provision of law applies).

You dont need a solicitor at the inquest as its a totally separate process but often a solicitor will attend to see if there is merit in pursuing the civil claim.

I work in this area of law (inquests) so happy to answer questions you might have.

Sorry for your loss.

Thank you for your reply. I hope you don’t mind me DM you.

Of course I dont mind!