R v Coroner for North Humberside, ex parte Jamieson
[1995] QB 1
Independent editorial summary — not the official judgment. Read the full judgment via the source link.
Ratio Decidendi
An inquest is an inquisitorial fact-finding process and not a means of determining criminal or civil liability. The verdict must not appear to determine any such liability.
Facts
A prisoner died in custody. The coroner's jury returned a verdict that included findings that could be interpreted as attributing liability to the prison authorities.
Judgment Summary
The Court of Appeal clarified that an inquest must answer four questions (who, when, where, how) and must not frame its conclusion so as to appear to determine any person's criminal or civil liability.
Key Quotes
"It is not the function of a coroner's inquest to provide a forum for attempts to establish civil or criminal liability."
— Sir Thomas Bingham MR
Subsequent Treatment
Followed in all non-Article 2 inquests.
What To Do Next
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