Deaths In Custody

Death in Custody

Inquest when a death has occurred in custody

If your loved one was in custody of an institution or public authority when they died, there will be an inquest into their death. Each public authority has a different way of investigating a death which occurs in their custody, which can be incredibly confusing for you and your family.

When a death has occurred in custody, an inquest will be conducted to investigate the nature of that death.

Duncan Lewis Action Against Public Authorities solicitors have expertise in handling a range of public authorities’ inquests into the death of an individual in their custody. We understand the processes involved in a coroner’s inquest and we are able to advise you on every stage of the inquest.

Which public authority relates to me?

It is essential that you understand the way a coroner’s inquest is investigated. When the individual in question is in the custody of a public authority, it is the responsibility of the public authority to ensure the safety and security of that individual, so if that individual dies in their care, it is their duty to make sure an inquest gets underway immediately to properly record the circumstances which led to that death.

Our solicitors provide advice and assistance on deaths investigated by certain public authorities, including:

• Inquests into deaths in police custody or during an arrest;
• Inquests into deaths which occurred whilst detained in prison;
• Inquests into deaths which took place when detained in an immigration detention centre and;
• Inquests into deaths which took place whilst detained in a psychiatric hospital or mental health institution

If you do not see the correct public authority listed above, it is possible that the death occurred in a different sort of circumstance. Please refer to Inquests into Other Deaths  for our alternate services available.

Duncan Lewis Action Against Public Authorities solicitors are here to support you and represent you during an inquest into the death of a loved one.

For advice on this, or any other issue in regards to treatment by a public authority, contact us on 0333 772 0409.