Coroner's Office

Types of Inquests held each month:

Inquests in Writing:

What is an inquest in writing?

When the coroner has clear evidence of who the deceased is, when and where he or she died and how the death came about, the inquest can sometimes be concluded using documentary evidence only (no witnesses being called) with the key findings of fact and conclusion being summarised in writing as opposed to being read out in a public court room.

Such an inquest is known as an ‘inquest in writing’ and came into law on 28 June 2022 by the insertion of section 9C of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. 

This creates the flexibility for the coroner to review the evidence and conclude the inquest without requiring a hearing in court and without the requirement for the family or Next of Kin to attend.

Where cases appear to be straightforward and uncontentious, an ‘inquest in writing’ is the preferred method of conclusion to expedite the process and to avoid any further unnecessary distress to the bereaved.

 

Pre-Inquest Review Hearings

In complex cases, the coroner will schedule a pre-inquest review before the main hearing takes place. This is essentially a case management session held in public where the coroner maps out how the inquest will run.5 No evidence is heard, and no witnesses are called. Instead, the coroner addresses practical questions: who qualifies as an interested Person, what the scope of the investigation will be, which witnesses will be called, whether a jury is needed, and how long the hearing should take.

 

The Final Inquest

The inquest itself is a public hearing, usually held in a dedicated coroner’s court. It is far less formal than a criminal trial, but evidence is still given under oath. The coroner leads the questioning of each witness, after which interested persons or their legal representatives may ask questions. Witnesses can include doctors, paramedics, police officers, family members, or anyone else with relevant knowledge about the death.

 

Opening Inquests

The Coroner must open an Inquest as soon as possible after a relevant death. The ‘opening’ is a very brief public hearing in the Coroners Court.  The Inquest will usually then be adjourned to a later date to allow time for further investigation and information gathering.  

The ‘opening’ is a formal procedure that normally takes no more than few minutes.  It is not necessary for the bereaved to attend the opening of an Inquest, but they are always welcome to do so.

 

Pembrokeshire inquests 

Pembrokeshire inquests are usually held at the Council Chambers, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP, but may be held at other, appropriate, venues when necessary.

The Council Chambers does have disabled access and toilets but does not have refreshments, separate waiting rooms or telephones. There is also no parking at County Hall, however parking is available nearby including, in the multi-story car park next door to County Hall.

Anyone wishing to attend an inquest that have any special requirements (including, for example, facilities for the hard of hearing, translating or interpreting services) are requested to contact the coroner's office in advance. Those wishing to attend should go to the main reception in County Hall.

 

Carmarthenshire inquests

Carmarthenshire inquests are usually held at the Town Hall, Llanelli but may be held at other, appropriate, venues when necessary. The Town Hall has disabled access and toilets but does not have refreshments, separate waiting rooms or telephones. Parking is available at the Town Hall.

Coroners and their staff will identify themselves by name in their dealings with members of the public. Deputy and assistant deputy coroners act when the coroner is not available. In doing so, they exercise the full powers of the coroner.

Anyone wishing to attend an inquest at the Town Hall, who have any special requirements (including, for example, facilities for the hard of hearing, translating or interpreting services) are requested to contact the coroner's office in advance.

 

2026

Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Inquests July 2026 - Inquests in writing

Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Inquests July 2026

Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Open Inquests

 

Please note: that dates for inquest hearings are fixed at the time the inquest is opened. These dates remain subject to change. Frequently inquest dates are brought forward, particularly when the evidence is received earlier than was anticipated at the time the date of hearing was initially fixed. If any person has an interest in a particular inquest they are advised to check the web-site and contact the office during normal opening hours of 9.00 am- 4.00 pm as inquests are often re-listed at short notice. Whilst very effort will be made to up-date this site when inquests are listed at very short notice this is not always possible.