INQUEST is working to end deaths caused by unsafe systems of detention, a lack of care, the use of force and by institutional failure. For almost four decades, we have been been the driving force behind improvements in the investigation and inquest process and the support offered to bereaved people following a state related death.
INQUEST combines family participation with casework, campaigning and sharing knowledge in order to empower families, drive evidence-based policy and prevent deaths.
INQUEST are campaigning for:
Legal Aid for Inquests: Automatic non means tested legal aid funding for families’ specialist legal representation immediately following a state related death to cover preparation and representation at the inquest and other legal processes. #LegalAidforInquests
A National Oversight Mechanism: A new, independent, public body with a duty to collate, analyse and monitor recommendations and their implementation arising from post death investigations, inquiries and inquests.
The Public Authority (Accountability) Bill: The reintroduction of ‘Hillsborough Law’ to Parliament to establish a duty of candour on state authorities and officers and private entities whose activities impact on public safety.
Alongside these three key demands, which go to the heart of the search for truth, justice and accountability after state related deaths, we have also outlined our policy recommendations on prisons, policing, mental health and learning disability and Grenfell.
policy recommendations
Many of the families we work with organise their own campaigns for justice and accountability. Learn more on the family campaigns webpage. Find out more about our 2018-2021 strategic goals
INQUEST is calling on the government to protect the safety of all people from the direct and indirect effects of the coronavirus and urgently reduce the number of people in detention settings. Read more
INQUEST is calling for urgent and effective action to ensure access to justice for bereaved families, to improve prison safety, invest in community-based alternatives and reduce the prison population. Read more
Join the campaign demanding automatic non means tested funding for legal representation following state related deaths. #LegalAidForInquests Read more
INQUEST is calling for urgent action to save lives by ending the inappropriate use of imprisonment for women, closing women's prisons and redirecting resources from criminal justice into community-based services. Read more
With 35 years experience providing independent advice on contentious deaths & their investigation INQUEST is working with families, lawyers and policy makers to advise on the follow up to the Grenfell Tower disaster. Read more