Number of outstanding death inquests (FOI)

Request

I recently saw in the JEP the results of an Inquest regarding a death which took place three years ago. This is worrying as this causes stress on the next of kin and memories of witnesses fade or they may leave Jersey, etc.

Please enlighten me as to how many outstanding Inquests there are to include the most outstanding time wise to the most recent.

This will not identify anyone unless there is only one outstanding which I know is not the case.

Response

As at Friday, 15 July 2022:

There are 39 inquests which have been opened pursuant to the Inquests and Post-mortem Examinations (Jersey) Law 1995, that have not yet concluded.

Nine inquests have been opened in the last three weeks. Four of those inquests were opened on 14 July 2022. These are the most recent inquests to be opened.

The longest running inquest which has not concluded relates to a death which occurred on or around 16 May 2018. This death was the subject of criminal proceedings which have only recently been concluded. It is a requirement of the Inquests and Post-mortem Examinations (Jersey) Law 1995 that when a person has been, or may be, charged with causing the death in respect of which the inquest is being held, the Viscount shall adjourn the inquest until after the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.

Further details about the number of deaths reported to the Viscount and inquests completed can be found in the Jersey Court Service annual reports published on gov.je - Viscount's reports and documents (gov.je).