In re Cotter v [1996] JLR 276 (04 October 1996)

A jury should only be summoned at an inquest if the circumstances of death reveal a possible danger to the public; a non-recurring event, however serious, does not meet this threshold.

Citation: [1996] JLR 276
Parties: Applicant: Cotter
Jurisdiction: Jersey
Judgment Date: 04 October 1996
Procedural Posture: Inquest / Application for Jury at Inquest
Outcome: application dismissed
Legal Topics: Inquest Jury, Public Interest, Discretion of Viscount

Public Law Coroners and Inquests Inquest Jury Public Interest Discretion of Viscount

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Parties

Cotter

Applicant

Procedural Posture

Inquest / Application for Jury at Inquest

Legal Issues

1 Whether the Viscount should exercise discretion to summon a jury at an inquest under Inquests and Post-mortem Examinations (Jersey) Law 1995, art. 7(1) on grounds of public interest

Ratio Decidendi

A jury should only be summoned at an inquest if the circumstances of death reveal a possible danger to the public; a non-recurring event, however serious, does not meet this threshold.

Court Disposition

application dismissed