Coroner’s Inquest into the Death of Jean Charles de Menezes

The inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, at Stockwell underground station on 22 July 2005, was held from 22 September 2008 to 12 December 2008. This official site, now archived by the National Archives, includes hearing transcripts, documentary evidence, the coroner’s rulings, press notices and background information. Documents added since the close of the inquest include the coroner’s report, dated 6 January 2009, made under Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984 (as amended), and the responses to that report of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the Metropolitan Police Authority. These are all in the “Hearing Transcripts” section.

Coroner’s Inquests into the Deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed

The inquests into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Mr Dodi Al Fayed, in Paris on 31 August 1997, were opened in January 2004 and concluded on 7 April 2008 when the jury returned its verdict. The coroner during the public hearings (succeeding Lady Butler-Sloss from June 2007) was Lord Justice Scott Baker. The web site, now archived, provides background information, details of sittings, directions and procedural decisions, transcripts of proceedings, and documentary evidence seen by the jury.

Coroner’s Inquests into the London Bombings of 7 July 2005

Lady Justice Hallett was appointed in November 2009 to conduct the inquests into the deaths resulting from the London bombings on 7 July 2005 (often referred to as the 7/7 bombings). Hearings were concluded on 11 March 2011 and the verdicts and concluding remarks were delivered on 6 May 2011. This official site, now archived by the National Archives, includes hearing transcripts, documentary evidence, procedural decisions, press notices, FAQs, and the Coroner’s Rule 43 Report.

Coroners’ Society of England and Wales

The freely accessible areas of the Society’s site (there is also a separate area for members only) provide information on the role of coroners, a map of coroner area boundaries, and a searchable database of local coroners’ offices, with names, addresses and other contact details.

Hillsborough Inquests

On 12 December 2012 the High Court ordered that new inquests should be held into the deaths of 96 people in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster of 15 April 1989. Full hearings began on 31 March 2014 and the jury gave its verdict on 26 April 2016. Site content includes transcripts of hearings, documents, rulings and contact details.

Office of the Chief Coroner

The Chief Coroner is head of the coroner system in England and Wales. The post forms part of the coroner regime created by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, which came into force on 25 July 2013. This section of the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary web site contains information about the role of the Chief Coroner, legislation (including statutory instruments), series of guidance documents and of “Law Sheets”, and annual reports. There is also a section under development which will contain all Reports to Prevent Future Deaths (PFD Reports, formerly known as Rule 43 Reports) made since 25 July 2013.

Shipman Inquiry

Harold Shipman, a former doctor, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2000 for the murder of fifteen of his patients, and died in prison 13 January 2004. Following allegations that he may have murdered many more, a public inquiry was set up under the chairmanship of Dame Janet Smith DBE. The inquiry web site, now archived by the National Archives, provides full documentation including the six reports published between July 2002 and January 2005. Report topics include death certification and the investigation of deaths by coroners, the management and regulation of controlled drugs, and safeguarding patients.