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It has become commonplace to hold a pre inquest review hearing (PIR) or several if deemed necessary to ensure the case is managed efficiently and to resolve an evidential issues which may occur. Rule 6 of The Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013 (CIR 2013) gives the coroner statutory authority to hold a PIR 'at any time during the course of an investigation'.

If the coroner does not take the initiative to arrange one, those representing the interested persons (IPs) should call for a PIR to be listed. The Chief Coroner’s guidance states that PIRs should be held in complex investigations.

The function of a PIR is comparable to a Case Management Conference in civil litigation or a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing in the Crown Court. For information on preparing for an inquest, see Practice Note: How to prepare for an inquest.

PIRs should be held in public and details of the PIR should be published in advance on the coroner/local authority website to ensure any member of the public who wishes to attend may do so.