Press and public attending court

Members of the press or public wishing to attend a hearing are asked to arrive in good time before the start of the inquest, make themselves known at Reception and go to the appropriate court waiting area as directed so that the clerk of the court can then seat press and public in the appropriate area of the hearing room. 

Whilst press and public may enter or leave court at any point, this should preferably be at breaks in the evidence so as not to interrupt proceedings. We put the bereaved first and remind all visitors to show sensitivity and respect. 

Court layout

The Coroner will sit at the front of the room.  The witness desk and Coroner’s Officer’s desk will be at the front of the room either side of the Coroner. The Interested Persons and their legal representatives will normally sit at the desks facing towards the Coroner. 

Press and public will generally be allocated a seat behind the Interested Persons, towards the rear of the courtroom. 

Reporting on proceedings 

The media may report on any Inquest proceedings or Pre-Inquest Review hearing held in open court.  There are some exceptions to this that occur very rarely:

1. The Coroner may make an order excluding the press and public from an Inquest while hearing evidence that may affect national security (for example specific information about police or military tactics).
2. The Coroner may make an order preventing the publication of information that may lead to a child witness’ identity being revealed
3. No one may publish the identity of a living victim of an alleged sexual offence.

We always ask reporters to be sensitive to the wishes of bereaved families and respect their decision on whether they want to speak to the press or make any statement. Other visitors should not approach anyone involved in the inquest, even to offer condolences. 

Press reports of Inquests

Journalists should be aware of and abide by the Editor’s Code of practice and guidance , upheld by the Independent Press Standards Organisation, which sets out the guidance for print journalists in the UK on ‘Reporting of deaths and inquests'.  

The Code has requirements on accuracy, privacy and discrimination.  It also has specific rules in cases involving grief and shock.  Journalists must make sure that what they publish is not insensitive and particularly that it is not unnecessarily graphic. Whilst journalists do not have to check the accuracy of evidence given, journalists must report what was said in court accurately.  In particular when reporting suicide, care should be taken to avoid excessive detail about the method used.

Copy of Inquest exhibits 

Media requests for copies of exhibits shown during an inquest should be made to the Coroner concerned at the beginning or end of the daily court session.  The preferable approach is to initially raise the matter with the court clerk who will then notify the Coroner that you wish to make such a request.

Professional observers 

The Coroners Service recognises the importance of court observation in training the next generation of doctors, nurses, lawyers and other professionals and we regularly welcome professional observers to inquest hearings.  

Those wishing to observe a court hearing can use the Inquest diary to find a hearing to attend. We suggest hearings marked Opening or Pre-inquest review are avoided as these are usually only short administrative hearings.  We are unable to provide any information regarding a death or the attendance of specific witnesses.

Inquest hearings may change at very short notice, so we advise re-checking the diary the day before any visit to ensure the hearing is still going ahead as planned.  It also may assist if you send a courtesy email to coronersofficers@westsussex.gov.uk so the clerk of the court can know to expect you.