An Inquest Remains An Inquisitorial And Relatively Summary Process. It Is Not A Surrogate Public Inquiry

The decision of the West London Coroner (23 September 2019) not to hold a Middleton inquest (an inquest under article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights,) following the death of a voluntary in-patient of a psychiatric rehabilitation unit due to an overdose of recreational drugs when she was at home in the community has been upheld in a judgement of the Court of Appeal dated 28 October 2022.

The hearing of the appeal by the family of Tanya Morahan (cousin) against the decision of the Divisional Court (Popplewell LJ, Garnham J and HHJ Teague KC, Chief Coroner) which upheld the coroner's decision: [2021] EWHC 1603 (Admin), took place before The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Justice Baker and Lady Justice Nicola Davies on 6 and 7 July 2022.