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Regina v West London Coroner ex parte Gray: CA 1988

Before a coroner’s jury could reach a verdict of unlawful killing, it had to be satisfied ‘that the act or omission of a single person must amount to unlawful conduct which was a substantial cause of death’, although Rule 42 of the Coroners Rules forbids the naming of that person. It was unthinkable that a … Continue reading Regina v West London Coroner ex parte Gray: CA 1988

Regina v Greater Manchester Council ex parte Worch: 1988

The court considered to what extent it could look to the form of an Act before it was amended in order to assist it in construing the Act as amended: ‘The original section 21(a) of the [Coroners (Amendment) Act] 1926 is no longer law, since it has been replaced by Section 23(3) of the Births … Continue reading Regina v Greater Manchester Council ex parte Worch: 1988

Regina v East Sussex Coroner Ex parte Healy: QBD 1988

The death occurred whilst diving some eight or nine miles offshore. The applicant, the deceased’s father challenged the coroner’s decision to refuse jurisdiction for an inquest. Held: The body was not, in the terms of the 1926 Act, ‘in or near the area within which he had jurisdiction’. Held: The wording used ordinary words of … Continue reading Regina v East Sussex Coroner Ex parte Healy: QBD 1988

Braganza v BP Shipping Ltd and Others: CA 22 Mar 2013

The claimant widow sued in negligence after the disappearance overboard of her husband from the respondent’s ship. The court had found insufficient evidence to establish the cause of death, either as to negligence as suggested by the claimant, or as to suicide as suggested by the defendant. Held: The evidence for suicide was sufficient. Longmore, … Continue reading Braganza v BP Shipping Ltd and Others: CA 22 Mar 2013

Acts

1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts

Nicholls v Coroner for City of Liverpool: Admn 8 Nov 2001

As the deceased was arrested he swallowed something. He was examined by a doctor and denied that he had swallowed drugs, but his condition deteriorated and he died at hospital. The coroner refused to admit the evidence of a professor who was highly critical of the conduct of the doctor who had seen the deceased, … Continue reading Nicholls v Coroner for City of Liverpool: Admn 8 Nov 2001

Pearson v HM Coroner for Inner London North: Admn 9 Mar 2005

Relatives of the deceased said that the inquest carried out by the coroner was inadequate in Jamieson terms and had not satisfied the human rights issues. Maurice Kay LJ rejected the argument saying: ‘One does not reach the stage of resort to section 3 as a tool for interpretation unless and until it is established … Continue reading Pearson v HM Coroner for Inner London North: Admn 9 Mar 2005

In re Catherine Lucy Clegg (an Application to Quash Inquisition on Inquest): Admn 2 Dec 1996

The father of the deceased sought an order quashing the inquest on her death. He had recorded a verdict of suicide. She had died from acute salicylate poisoning, an aspirin overdose. The hospital was said not to have recognised her condition and not to have taken steps to prevent the result. She had left a … Continue reading In re Catherine Lucy Clegg (an Application to Quash Inquisition on Inquest): Admn 2 Dec 1996

O’Reilly v Coventry Coroner: QBD 3 Apr 1996

The inquest was said to have been flawed because relevant material was withheld from the jury, factual issues were not addressed, and the Coroner had refused to leave open the possibility of a verdict of lack of care or neglect. The deceased had been in custody and a verdict of accidental death was returned. Held: … Continue reading O’Reilly v Coventry Coroner: QBD 3 Apr 1996

Earl and Another v HM Senior Coroner for East Sussex: Admn 21 Dec 2021

Application for an order under section 13(1)(c) of the Coroners Act 1988 quashing the inquisition on the inquest into the death of Jessie Victoria Earl. Judges: Lord Justice Warby Mr Justice Saini And His Honour Judge Teague QC Chief Coroner of England and Wales Citations: [2021] EWHC 3468 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Coroners Act 1988 … Continue reading Earl and Another v HM Senior Coroner for East Sussex: Admn 21 Dec 2021

Skelton, Regina (on The Application of) v Senior Coroner for West Sussex: Admn 23 Oct 2020

The claimants daughter’s death had first been declared non-suspicious. After a conviction for her murder, the Coroner sought to substitute a verdict of unlawful killing. The claimant objected saying that a wider enquiry was no justified, particularly as to the failures of the police investigation. Lord Justice Popplewell, Mr Justice Jay [2020] EWHC 2813 (Admin), … Continue reading Skelton, Regina (on The Application of) v Senior Coroner for West Sussex: Admn 23 Oct 2020

Sutovic, Regina (on the Application Of) v HM Coroner for North London: Admn 17 May 2006

The court heard an application for judicial review of the Coroner’s verdict, on the grounds of procedural irregularity and insufficiency of enquiry. The claimant also sought a new review in the light of more recently received evidence. Held: The first claim failed. As to the second, Moses LJ said: ‘Whilst, on the state of the … Continue reading Sutovic, Regina (on the Application Of) v HM Coroner for North London: Admn 17 May 2006

Jones v HM Coroner for The Southern District of Greater London and Another: Admn 28 Apr 2010

The mother of the deceased asked for a new inquest, saying that there had been insufficient enquiry. He was an adult suffering Asperger’s syndrome and other difficulties, but had sought and been given excess prescriptions of fentanyl a drug to control bowel pain. The coroner had been unable to find an explanation for how he … Continue reading Jones v HM Coroner for The Southern District of Greater London and Another: Admn 28 Apr 2010

AB and others v Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust: QBD 26 Mar 2004

Representative claims were made against the respondents, hospitals, pathologists etc with regard to the removal of organs from deceased children without the informed consent of the parents. They claimed under the tort of wrongful interference. Held: Organ removal when a post mortem had been ordered by the coroner was not tortious. In English law there … Continue reading AB and others v Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust: QBD 26 Mar 2004

Attorney-General v Leveller Magazine Ltd: HL 1 Feb 1979

The appellants were magazines and journalists who published, after committal proceedings, the name of a witness, a member of the security services, who had been referred to as Colonel B during the hearing. An order had been made for his name not to be disclosed during the hearing, but the court had had no power … Continue reading Attorney-General v Leveller Magazine Ltd: HL 1 Feb 1979

Paul and others v Deputy Coroner of the Queen’s Household and Another: Admn 2 Mar 2007

The applicants sought judicial review of preliminary directions given for the intended inquest on the deaths of Diana Princess of Wales and of Dodi Al Fayed. It was submitted that the jurisdiction had been wrongly transferred to the Queen’s Coroner under section 14. Held: under the 1988 Act, the Coroner for the Queen’s household was … Continue reading Paul and others v Deputy Coroner of the Queen’s Household and Another: Admn 2 Mar 2007

In the Matter of Captain Christopher John Kelly: Admn 14 Jun 1996

The deceased was killed by ‘friendly fire’ during a night exercise in Kenya. A verdict of accidental death was returned, and a fresh inquest was sought particularly in the light of a statement from a fellow officer. Held: The emergence of fresh evidence, even if it is in part evidence which should have disclosed to … Continue reading In the Matter of Captain Christopher John Kelly: Admn 14 Jun 1996

Gough v Local Sunday Newspapers (North) Ltd and Another: CA 12 Mar 2003

The appellant claimed he had been libelled, when he was called incompetent by the respondent in the way he dealt with finding an uncounted bundle of votes after an election. He appealed a finding of justification. The finding was based upon an interpretation of election law which, it was claimed, were themselves contentious. Held: No … Continue reading Gough v Local Sunday Newspapers (North) Ltd and Another: CA 12 Mar 2003

Regina v Her Majesty’s Coroner for District of Avon ex parte Smith: Admn 12 Feb 1998

The family sought judicial review of a decision not to hold an inquest into the death of the deceased. The child had died in hospital. Held: The death had apparently been for natural causes, but the coroner had failed properly to ask himself whether the death was unnatural in the sense used in Regina -v- … Continue reading Regina v Her Majesty’s Coroner for District of Avon ex parte Smith: Admn 12 Feb 1998

Sreedharan, Regina (on The Application of) v HM Coroner for The County of Greater Manchester: Admn 28 May 2012

The claimant doctor renewed his application for judicial review of the jury verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest into a patient. The patientwas alcoholic. The doctor prescribed a sedative drug for him, but it was known to be potentially lethal when taken with alcohol. The patient had used them in combination on previous occasions. … Continue reading Sreedharan, Regina (on The Application of) v HM Coroner for The County of Greater Manchester: Admn 28 May 2012

Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, ex parte M; Regina v Similar Ex Parte P etc: QBD 8 Oct 1996

Destitute asylum seekers who were not entitled to welfare benefits could be in need of care and attention within the meaning of section 21 of the 1948 Act although they were no longer entitled to housing assistance or other social security benefits such as income support. The Act should be read so as to disallow … Continue reading Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, ex parte M; Regina v Similar Ex Parte P etc: QBD 8 Oct 1996

Regina v Southwark Coroner ex parte Fields: Admn 30 Jan 1998

The deceased died after being hit by a policemen with his baton when being arrested. The verdict of misadventure was now challenged. The police officer said he had hit out in fear of imminent attack. It was said that the Coroner had permitted those representing the police to bring in previous convictions recorded against the … Continue reading Regina v Southwark Coroner ex parte Fields: Admn 30 Jan 1998

Hurst, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v London Northern District Coroner: HL 28 Mar 2007

The claimant’s son had been stabbed to death. She challenged the refusal of the coroner to continue with the inquest with a view to examining the responsibility of any of the police in having failed to protect him. Held: The question amounted to asking whether the coroner’s decision on the resumption should have been affected … Continue reading Hurst, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v London Northern District Coroner: HL 28 Mar 2007

LM, Re (Reporting Restrictions; Coroner’s Inquest): FD 1 Aug 2007

A child had died. In earlier civil proceedings, the court had laid responsibility with the mother. Restrictions had been placed on the information which would effectively prevent the coroner conducting his inquest. The coroner sought a lifting of the orders. Held: The orders should be lifted to the extent compatible with preserving the child’s interests. … Continue reading LM, Re (Reporting Restrictions; Coroner’s Inquest): FD 1 Aug 2007

Regina v Jones (Margaret), Regina v Milling and others: HL 29 Mar 2006

Domestic Offence requires Domestic Defence Each defendant sought to raise by way of defence of their otherwise criminal actions, the fact that they were attempting to prevent the commission by the government of the crime of waging an aggressive war in Iraq, and that their acts were accordingly justified in law. Held: The law on … Continue reading Regina v Jones (Margaret), Regina v Milling and others: HL 29 Mar 2006

Stott (Procurator Fiscal, Dunfermline) and Another v Brown: PC 5 Dec 2000

The system under which the registered keeper of a vehicle was obliged to identify herself as the driver, and such admission was to be used subsequently as evidence against her on a charge of driving with excess alcohol, was not a breach of her right to a fair trial. The right not to give evidence … Continue reading Stott (Procurator Fiscal, Dunfermline) and Another v Brown: PC 5 Dec 2000

Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 12 Nov 2014

The claimant had supported the grant of a visa to a woman in order to speak to members of Parliament who was de facto leader of an Iranian organsation which had in the past supported terrorism and had been proscribed in the UK, but that proscription had been cancelled by the Tribunal. Lord Carlile appealed … Continue reading Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 12 Nov 2014

P, Regina (on The Application of) v HM Coroner for The District of Avon: CA 18 Dec 2009

The deceased was found hanging in her prison cell. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, not being satisfied that she was not merely making a cry for help. The family appealed a finding that the inquest had satisfied the requirement for a fuller investigation of a death in custody, there having been an … Continue reading P, Regina (on The Application of) v HM Coroner for The District of Avon: CA 18 Dec 2009

Braganza v BP Shipping Ltd: SC 18 Mar 2015

The claimant’s husband had been lost from the defendant’s ship at sea. The defendant had contracted to pay compensation unless the loss was by suicide. They so determined. The court was now asked whether that was a permissible conclusion in the circumstances: ‘This case raises two inter-linked questions of principle, one general and one particular. … Continue reading Braganza v BP Shipping Ltd: SC 18 Mar 2015

Pounder, Regina (on the Application of) v HM Coroner for the North and South Districts of Durham and Darlington and others: Admn 22 Jan 2009

The deceased died aged 14 in a Secure Training Centre by hanging. He had complained of his treatment and restraint methods used. The mother sought judicial review of the conduct of the inquest, wanting the coroner not to have ruled on the legality of the restraint methods used, and which of the STC Rules and … Continue reading Pounder, Regina (on the Application of) v HM Coroner for the North and South Districts of Durham and Darlington and others: Admn 22 Jan 2009

Takoushis, Regina (on the Application of) v HM Coroner for Inner North London and others: CA 30 Nov 2005

Relatives sought judicial review of the coroner’s decision not to allow a jury, and against allowance of an expert witness. The deceased had been a mental patient but had been arrested with a view to being hospitalised. He was taken first to the AandE department. From there he escaped and jumped into and drowned in … Continue reading Takoushis, Regina (on the Application of) v HM Coroner for Inner North London and others: CA 30 Nov 2005

Regina v South London Coroner ex parte Thompson: 8 Jul 1982

The court discussed the function of the coroner and his inquest. Lord Lane CJ said: ‘The coroner’s task in a case such as this is a formidable one, and no one would dispute that; that is quite apart from the difficulties which inevitably arise when feelings are running high and the spectators are emotionally involved … Continue reading Regina v South London Coroner ex parte Thompson: 8 Jul 1982

Gentle, Regina (on the Application of) and Another v The Prime Minister and Another: HL 9 Apr 2008

The appellants were mothers of two servicemen who had died whilst on active service in Iraq. They appealed refusal to grant a public inquiry. There had already been coroners inquests. They said that Article 2 had been infringed. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The right to an inquiry was procedural and depended first on the … Continue reading Gentle, Regina (on the Application of) and Another v The Prime Minister and Another: HL 9 Apr 2008

Regina v Legal Aid Board ex parte Kaim Todner (a Firm of Solicitors): CA 10 Jun 1998

Limitation on Making of Anonymity Orders A firm of solicitors sought an order for anonymity in their proceedings against the LAB, saying that being named would damage their interests irrespective of the outcome. Held: The legal professions have no special part in the law as a party to entitle a court to allow a solicitors … Continue reading Regina v Legal Aid Board ex parte Kaim Todner (a Firm of Solicitors): CA 10 Jun 1998