Overview
Inquests often set the foundation for subsequent civil litigation, making it crucial for claimant lawyers to understand the coroner’s court and how to represent families effectively. This webinar provides a practical introduction to inquests, covering procedural, evidential, and strategic considerations.
Participants will explore the coroner’s role, funding arrangements, and the recoverability of costs, as well as how inquest findings can influence civil claims arising from road traffic accidents, workplace incidents, industrial disease, and clinical negligence. The session equips lawyers with the knowledge needed to support families and protect their clients’ interests at an early stage.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand funding arrangements for inquests and the recoverability of associated costs.
- Explain the role of the coroner and the purpose of the inquest, including procedural and evidential expectations.
- Represent families effectively at inquests, advocating for their interests while complying with legal requirements.
- Navigate inquests arising from road traffic accidents, workplace incidents, industrial disease, and clinical negligence, recognising the specific considerations in each context.
- Assess the impact of inquest findings on subsequent civil proceedings, and use the outcomes to inform strategy.
Essential for lawyers involved in fatal accident litigation who wish to maximise the value and effectiveness of inquest participation.
Barrister
Kings Chambers, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham and 4-5 Gray's Inn Square, London
Gordon was called to the Bar in 1991 having originally qualified and practised as a solicitor. He practices from Kings Chambers, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham and 4-5 Gray's Inn Square, London. He works in the area of personal injury litigation and in the law relating to civil procedure, limitation and costs. He has a particular interest in issues relating to damages, evidence, costs and procedure.
Gordon is a former executive committee member of APIL and has lectured widely for APIL and CPIL on personal injury and procedure topics. Gordon is the author of Personal Injury Practice Notes (Cavendish); The APIL Guide to Fatal Accidents (now in its 4th edition); the 14th edition of Munkman and Exall on Damages for Personal Injury Death and Periodical Payments the New Law. He also wrote the section on limitation for the APIL loose-leaf and contributes two chapters to Munkman on Employer’s Liability... view full biography