 An inquest is a judicial investigation in common law jurisdictions, conducted by a judge or a jury. The most common kind of inquest is an inquiry by a coroner into the cause of a death that was sudden, violent or suspicious, or occurred in prison. In the United Kingdom, under the Coroners Act of 1988 a jury is only required to be convened in cases where the death occurred in custody, or in circumstances which may affect public health or safety.
In an inquest there is no prosecution or defence, the parties to the proceedings being the family of the deceased and potential suspects, who can argue their case, submit evidence and cross-examine witnesses. A Coroner's Jury only determines cause of death, its ruling does not commit a person to trial. The verdict can be, for example, natural death, accidental death, misadventure, suicide, or murder.
Among the best known inquests in recent history are inquries into the deaths of Princess Diana and the scientist Dr David Kelly.
An inquest into the death of Alexander Litvinenko opened on November 30, 2006 and immediately adjourned pending the results of the police investigation.
In an article in Sunday Times published on March 27, 2008 Marina Litvinenko announced that she will press for a full inquest into the death of her husband against the wishes of the Foreign office.
In the Summer of 2011 Dr. Andrew Reid, the coroner in the case at St Pancras, North London, inicated his intetion to examine only where, when and how Litvinenko died without looking into the matter of why. He set the preliminary hearing for October 13, when the scope of the inquest will be considered.
Marina Litvinenko's legal team will argue for a full inquest by a jury and a senior level judge, which should look into the allegations of a state involvement. Marina will be represented by Christian Khan Solicitors.
It has been revealed that the main suspect Andrey Lugovoy will be a party in the proceeding and has instructed the London law firm McGrigors to represent him.
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