Understanding what happens after a military death
Losing a loved one in military service is devastating, and the period that follows can feel overwhelming. Families are often left trying to understand what happened while navigating a process that involves the Coroner, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and, in many cases, internal military investigations. The combination of grief, uncertainty and limited information can make this an incredibly difficult time.
What is a Military Inquest?
When a service person dies in circumstances that are unclear, unexplained or raise concerns, a military inquest will usually be opened. This is a formal investigation carried out by a Coroner to establish who the deceased was, where and when they died, and how they died.
Military inquests often involve additional layers of evidence, including service police reports, MOD documentation, training records, risk assessments and internal reviews. These materials can be complex and difficult for families to access or interpret without specialist support.
Why Military Inquests matter for bereaved families
Although an inquest cannot determine criminal or civil liability, it can reveal crucial evidence, highlight systemic failings and identify missed opportunities to prevent the death. For many military families, the inquest is a vital step in understanding the circumstances surrounding their loved one’s death and ensuring that lessons are learned.
Specialist legal support for Military Inquests
Our military team has extensive experience supporting families through this process. We understand the structure of the armed forces, the pressures of service life and the challenges that arise when trying to obtain answers from military bodies.
We work closely with families to ensure their concerns are heard, that the scope of the investigation is as wide as it needs to be, and that key evidence is properly examined. We liaise directly with the Coroner, the MOD and other interested persons, prepare written submissions and ask the necessary questions at the hearing to uncover the full circumstances of the death.
How Bolt Burdon Kemp can help
We know how important it is for families to feel supported throughout. Our approach is compassionate, clear and thorough. We take the time to explain each stage of the process; help you understand the evidence and ensure your voice is represented at every step.
Where appropriate, we also highlight the need for a Prevention of Future Deaths report to help ensure that similar tragedies are avoided in the future.
When an Inquest leads to a civil claim
If the evidence suggests that the death could have been prevented, we will advise you on whether you may have a civil claim for compensation. Many families find that the inquest provides the foundation for any future legal action.
Our experience with military fatalities and inquests
Our experience spans a wide range of military inquests, including training accidents, equipment failures, medical negligence within the armed forces, road traffic collisions involving service personnel and deaths arising from unsafe working conditions or long. Whatever the circumstances, we are committed to helping families uncover the truth and achieve.
Campaigning for better support for military families
We believe families’ voices are integral to the Inquest process.
As a firm we are actively campaigning to improve the lived experiences of bereaved families going through the coronial justice system.
Our wider campaigning work reflects our determination to see lasting reform and greater accountability.
For more information about our campaigning work, please see here.
Additional support for bereaved families
Inquest is the only registered charity providing specialist expertise on state‑related deaths and their investigation. They offer independent support to bereaved families, as well as to lawyers, advice agencies, the media and parliamentarians. Their work covers deaths in police and prison custody, immigration detention, mental health settings, and cases involving multi‑agency failings or wider issues of state or corporate accountability.
Bolt Burdon Kemp is part of Inquest’s Lawyers Group, which brings together firms with experience in inquest and state‑related death cases. This reflects our commitment to ensuring families have access to specialist advice and representation throughout the inquest process.
