Going to the inquest

Allow plenty of time to get to court. If you are going to the Central Law Courts, 501 Hay Street, Perth there are parking facilities close to the court that you can use. There are also a number of food outlets near to the court.

When arriving at the Central Law Courts you will be required to go through the security screening process upon entering the building.

When you arrive, proceed to the courtroom which you have been advised to attend. If you are a witness or family member, Counsel assisting the Coroner will make themselves known to you before the inquest.

If you require a court companion (metropolitan area only) for the inquest this can be arranged prior to the inquest on request to the coronial counselling service. A Courtroom companion is a volunteer who can sit with families and show them where to go, where they can get tea and coffee etc.

There is no requirement to be represented by a solicitor at an inquest. But, some people choose to have a lawyer. If you are a family member or an interested party, you can be represented by a lawyer if you wish. Getting some preliminary legal advice might help you to decide whether you need a lawyer in court.

Family members may raise issues with the counsel or the police officer assisting the Coroner. They can then ask questions relevant to those issues, if appropriate. They cannot act as the family's legal representative.

Witnesses at an inquest must be either sworn in or give an affirmation. In either case the court officer will assist the witness.

Witnesses should remember to take any relevant documents about the case with them to the inquest. Witnesses may be asked to read from documentation, so they should bring reading glasses if required.

Witnesses waiting to give evidence are often allowed to sit in the courtroom and listen to the hearing. On occasions, however, the coroner may order witnesses to leave the courtroom and wait outside until it is their turn to give evidence.

A waiting area is available. If witnesses have questions, they can be directed to the Court Officer at the Coroner's Court or the counsel or police officer assisting the coroner.

Sometimes witnesses can give their evidence by video link. These arrangements will be coordinated by the court officer.

Witnesses can often feel apprehensive and experience anxiety about reliving a traumatic experience. Court staff or staff from the Coronial Counselling and Information Services can provide practical information should counselling services be required.

The Coroner may ask you to give evidence at court as a witness. If the Coroner wishes you to appear, you will receive a summons. This summons will be given to you in person, from a police officer acting on the Coroner’s behalf. The summons will have information containing the date and place of the inquest. The summons will also provide you with additional court personnel who you can contact.

If you do not answer the summons and attend the court proceedings the Court may issue a warrant for your arrest.

Inquests can vary from an hour to many weeks. This will depend on the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses called to give evidence. Generally, you will be notified of the amount of time the inquest is “set down” for. However, depending on the complexity of the evidence, the Coroner may finish the inquest early or extend the inquest to accommodate further witnesses or evidence.

The family has an important part to play in the inquest. You may be required to give evidence and may make a statement to the Coroner through Counsel Assisting, through your lawyer or on your own behalf.

You may be given the chance to speak at the Inquest. But, this is up to you and the Coroner.  Sometimes the Coroner will decide that it is better for the family to submit a written statement instead. For this reason, it may be helpful to prepare what you want to say in writing beforehand.

When you arrive, proceed to the courtroom which you have been advised to attend. Counsel assisting the Coroner will make themselves known to you before the inquest starts.

If you require a court companion (metropolitan area only) for the inquest this can be arranged prior to the inquest on request to the coronial counselling service. A Courtroom companion is a volunteer who can sit with families and show them where to go, where they can get tea and coffee etc.

Inquests are generally open to the public. In certain circumstances, the Coroner has the power to exclude individuals, or the public generally, from attending proceedings. The Coroner can also prohibit the publication of evidence and will issue Suppression Orders.