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Narrative verdict

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A narrative verdict is a verdict available to coroners in England and Wales and in Ireland following an inquest.[1] In such a verdict the circumstances of a death are recorded,[2][3] being a brief free-form, factual statement (either instead of, or in addition to, one of the standard, and familiar, Short-Form Conclusions), which does not attribute the cause to an individual.[4] Narrative verdicts were introduced to England and Wales in 2004.[5]

Historical examples

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The inquest into the death of Charlotte Shaw concluded with a narrative verdict in October 2010. Charlotte Shaw drowned while crossing a swollen stream on Dartmoor during training for Ten Tors in 2007.[6]

A coroner delivered a narrative verdict into the death of Secret Intelligence Service officer Gareth Williams whose decaying corpse was found padlocked into a red sports bag in the bath at his home in August 2010.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Leogue, Joe (31 January 2018). "Inquest hears man, 84, drove in wrong direction on motorway before fatal collision in 2016". Irish Examiner.
  2. ^ "Kit delays led to soldier's death". BBC News. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2008.
  3. ^ "Chronology of proceedings - Work Related Deaths and Inquests - Enforcement Guide (England & Wales)". Health and Safety Executive.
  4. ^ "What is a narrative verdict?". ITV News. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. ^ Grice, Elizabeth (1 October 2009). "Mistakes, missed chances and a young life lost". London: Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  6. ^ Savill, Richard (26 October 2010). "Coroner calls for safety improvements at Ten Tors inquest". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  7. ^ "MI6 death: Gareth Williams 'probably' killed unlawfully". BBC News. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.