This page considers what information bereaved families involving work-related deaths can obtain from coroners prior to an inquest.

Prior to an inquest, the police and the HSE will give to the coroner copies of most, if not all, of the statements taken in the course of their investigation. In addition, there will be a report prepared by the HSE and/or the police about their findings.

The issue discussed on this page is how much, if any of this information, will or can a coroner disclose to the bereaved families and other parties.

The first question that needs to be asked is:

However, even if a coroner has decided s/he would like to disclose information, it is important it is necessary that the coroner obtains the agreement of the investigating body (or the body that commissioned the investigation). This is because it has been held that investigation material is the property of the body that undertakes the investigation - whether it be a police force, Health and Safety Executive or Local Authority.

Therefore, assuming a coroner wants to disclose, it is necesary for the coroner to gain the consent of the investigation body. The second question, therefore is what are the policies concerning disclosure of information by: