R v Coroner for North Humberside, ex parte Jamieson

[1995] QB 1

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.

Hechos

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.

Resumen de la sentencia

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.

Citas clave

"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

Tratamiento posterior

Applied

Followed in all non-Article 2 inquests.