Author: Bridget Dolan QC

Posts by Bridget Dolan QC

‘Coronial Causation’ and avoiding speculation when setting the Scope of an inquest

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O’Brien v HM Assistant Coroner for Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens [2025] EWHC 362 (Admin) (heard in September 2024) the recently un-embargoed judgment is here The Court of Appeal made the point resoundingly clear in Morahan[1] that “an inquest remains an inquisitorial and relatively summary process”.   As this latest case illustrates a Coroner may well […]

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Calling expert evidence is a matter for the Coroner’s discretion

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R (Gamesys Operations Ltd) v HM Senior Coroner Inner London South [2025] EWHC 659 (Admin) judgment here The title of this blog will surprise no one, as it is already well established that a coroner has a very wide discretion regarding what evidence to call, including in respect of whether to seek expert evidence and […]

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Hard cases can make good law: The High Court’s s.13 powers re-appraised

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Shipsey v Senior Coroner Worcestershire [2025] EWHC 605 (Admin) 14 March 2025 judgment here “Hard cases make bad law”.  When that is one of the first things a Court of Appeal judge says as the case is opened before her you know it is going to be an interesting day in court.  But on reflection, […]

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