Death Investigation: Coroners & Inquests

The former Chief Coroner of England and Wales, HH Sir Peter Thornton KC, will repeat his short course entitled Death Investigation: Coroners and Inquests in spring 2025.

A series of five in-person interactive seminars (one per week) will explain and discuss the law and procedure of coroners, covering a comprehensive range of topics from reporting deaths, investigating cases, conducting inquests and reporting to prevent future deaths. Attendees will be able to participate in discussions, give short presentations and consider the importance of the role played by coroners in the administration of justice: Who are they? What do they do? What is the purpose of their work? How should they do it?

The five two-hour seminars will take place at King's College London's Strand Campus at Bush House in the heart of legal London on consecutive Tuesdays, evenings from 17:00-19:00. 

The course is designed for lawyers, judges and postgraduate law students. A limited number of places are available. CPD points will be available for 10 hours with a King's College London certificate of completion*.

*Attendance will be monitored to ensure that the correct hours are logged.

• Provides students with a critical understanding of the purpose of the inquest and the coroner service and its benefits.
• Enables participants to understand the administrative structure, different roles and purposes, the duty to investigate, the inquest and the outcome.
• Students will prepare for classes and participate in discussions as appropriate.

• In-depth understanding of coroner and inquest services.
• Ability to apply knowledge to practice.
• Understanding of legal processes.

• Participants are expected to be educated to degree level or have significant, relevant work experience (primarily lawyers working in the medico-legal field, e.g., barristers or solicitors in private practice or working for hospital trusts).
• The course is especially suitable for those with a medical or legal background who want to learn more about the coroner's service.

The course will consist of a series of five in-person seminars. Students will be expected to participate in discussions and short presentations. As a CPD student, you will not be required to sit an exam or to submit any coursework.