The Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013

PART 5 Jury inquests

28.  This Part applies to inquests heard or to be heard with a jury.

Method of summoning jurors

29.—(1) A juror must be summoned using Form 1.

(2) Form 1 must be sent by post with a return envelope, to the juror or delivered by hand at his or her address as shown in the electoral register.

Summoning in exceptional circumstances

30.  If it appears to the coroner that a jury will be, or probably will be, incomplete, the coroner may require any persons up to the number needed who are in, or in the vicinity of, the place of the inquest hearing to be summoned (without any written notice) for jury service.

Certificate of attendance

31.  A person duly attending an inquest hearing to serve on a jury in compliance with a summons issued under rule 29 or rule 30 is entitled on request to the coroner to a certificate recording that fact.

Validity of proceedings where jury not present

32.  Where an inquest hearing begins without a jury but a jury is subsequently summoned, the validity of anything done by the coroner before the jury was summoned is still effective.

Summing up and directions to the jury

33.  Where the coroner sits with a jury, the coroner must direct the jury as to the law and provide the jury with a summary of the evidence.