In this podcast episode, Louis Browne KC and Sara Sutherland discuss a recent pre-inquest review hearing and the case it pertained to. They provide details about the deceased, her pre-morbid conditions, and the cause of death. They also discuss the issues that arose in the case and the learning that can be taken from it. The hosts talk about the approach to pre-inquest review hearings, including questions of evidence and how to prepare. They also touch on topics relevant to inquests, such as interested persons, disclosure, expert evidence, jurisdiction, and costs. The episode concludes with a call for feedback and questions from listeners.

Takeaways

• Pre-inquest review hearings are an important step in the investigation process and require thorough preparation.

• Coroners' inquests are not adversarial proceedings and are focused on conducting a full and fearless investigation into the facts.

• Expert evidence can be obtained and presented in a coroner's inquest, but it should be relevant and within the correct discipline.

• Witnesses who are abroad can still give evidence via video links, and steps should be taken to ascertain their willingness to do so.

• Costs – recoverable in some circumstances but think carefully, where does funding come from?