HL Deb 21 July 1980 vol 412 c187WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under what circumstances the next of kin of a person in respect of whom an inquest has been held can exercise a right of appeal against the verdict.

Lord BELSTEAD

There is no right of appeal as such against the verdict returned at an inquest. It is, however, open to a person who considers himself aggrieved by the inquest findings to make application, by or with the consent of the Attorney General, under Section 6 of the Coroners Act 1887, as extended by Section 19 of the Coroners (Amendment) Act 1926, to the High Court, which may order another inquest if it is satisfied that this course is in the interests of justice. The grounds on which the High Court may make such an order include irregularity of proceedings, insufficiency of inquiry or the discovery of new facts or evidence.