---
title: "Request for an inquest into a death (Coroners Court of Victoria Form 26)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/form-vic-coroner-26-request-inquest"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a61-form-vic-coroner-26-request-inquest"
area_id: "A61"
kind: "form"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A61-V20261018-3"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Request for an inquest into a death (Coroners Court of Victoria Form 26)

> Link to Coroners Court Form 26, the request for an inquest into a death. An inquest is a public hearing. It is not a trial, and the coroner does not find guilt or apportion blame.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/form-vic-coroner-26-request-inquest  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Form. A form to complete, or a guide to completing an official one.
- Practice area: [Coronial Inquests](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests.md)
- Jurisdictions: Victoria
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the official form at coronerscourt.vic.gov.au and the 3 authorities it cites, for Victoria.

## When to use it

Use when the family asks the Coroners Court of Victoria for an inquest into a death, or the coroner is considering whether to hold one. Contact the Court about the investigation before requesting an inquest. A refusal can be appealed to the Supreme Court.

## Used for these tasks

- [Prepare the family's request for an inquest or for review of a decision not to hold one](https://ailawframework.com/practice/coronial-inquests/prepare-the-family-s-request-for-an-inquest-or-for-review-of-a-decision.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may check the draft against the current official form and list what is missing; the lawyer settles every statement that will be filed and signs or lodges the form.

**AI may:**

- Check the draft is the current version of the form and list every blank field or missing attachment
- Index the documents on the file that the form calls for, with date and author
- Turn the court's published filing and service steps into a checklist for this matter

**AI must not:**

- Must not write allegations, grounds, orders or figures in words that will be filed
- Must not decide jurisdiction, standing or whether a time limit has been met
- Must not sign, lodge or serve the form

**The lawyer checks:**

- The Court has been contacted about the status of the investigation before the request is filed
- Form 26 is the request for an inquest into a death, not the fire forms
- Mandatory-inquest categories on the inquests page have been checked by the lawyer
- The guidance PDF linked from the inquests page has been read

## Authorities

- [Coroners Court of Victoria, Inquests](https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/inquests-findings/inquests)
- [Coroners Court of Victoria, Form 26](https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/form-26-request-inquest-death)
- [Guidance on whether to request an inquest (PDF)](https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-07/Guidance%20on%20whether%20to%20request%20an%20inquest_FINAL%2027.06.2019.pdf)

## Official form

[Official form](https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/inquests-findings/inquests)

## Where this comes from

The official form is published by coronerscourt.vic.gov.au; this page is a completion guide. Last checked on 2026-10-22.

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/form-vic-coroner-26-request-inquest and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*