Death, Family and the Law

The Contemporary Inquest in Context

When a death is investigated by a coroner, what is the place of the family in that process? This accessibly written book develops a nuanced analysis of the contemporary inquest system in England and Wales.

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When a death is investigated by a coroner, what is the place of the family in that process?

This accessibly written book draws together empirical, theoretical and historical perspectives to develop a rich, nuanced analysis of the contemporary inquest system in England and Wales. It investigates theories of kinship drawn from socio-legal research and analyses law, accountability and the legal process.

Excerpts of conversations with coroners and officers offer real insights into how the role of family can be understood and who family is perceived to be, and further, how their participation fundamentally shapes the investigation into a death.

Edward Kirton-Darling is Lecturer at Kent Law School, University of Kent.

Author/Editor details at time of book publication.