Refusal of inquest into death of cyclist

R (Cairds) v HM Deputy Coroner for Inner West London [2011] EWHC 2890 (Admin)

Counsel: For the claimant: Anna MorrisFor the defendant: Jonathan HoughFor the interested parties: No appearance or representationSolicitors: For the claimant: LevenesFor the defendant: In-house solicitor

This was a claim by C for judicial review of the Coroner’s handling of an inquest concerning the death of E, her sister, a cyclist, in a road traffic accident involving L, the driver of a heavy goods vehicle. A date was set for the inquest to consider E’s death, and L was due to face trial for driving with defective eyesight. C had made four requests for an adjournment of the inquest, three being made within four days of the date fixed for the inquest, for a number of reasons, as follows: (i) her chosen barrister was not available on the given date; (ii) L’s criminal trial was yet to take place; (iii) the estimate of a one day hearing for the inquest was wrong; (iv) further disclosure was required; (v) the calling of additional witnesses should be considered; (vi) the coroner should consider calling a jury; (vii) there had been several accidents in the same area, so the local authority should be added as an interested party.