Why is there an inquest into the death of Diana?

These inquests, there are two, one on the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the other on the death of Dodi Fayed, must take place just as with any sudden, violent or unusual death of a person where the body is returned to Britain.

The purpose of the inquest is different from the inquiries that have already taken place. These looked into whether someone or some people were to blame for the couple's deaths - in other words, they investigated some of the conspiracy theories surrounding the car crash in Paris in which the princess and her companion died in 1997.

Unlike a trial, an inquest has no prosecution and no defence but is a search for truth along more inquisitorial lines. Its aim is to answer: how, when and where the cause of death arose. The conclusion of the jury at the end must be based on evidence as proved, not speculation.

What is happening this week?

The jurors will be selected today from a potential pool of some 200. They will be asked to fill in a questionnaire designed to establish their availability and also any prejudices or associations that might rule them out as suitable. A jury of 11 will be chosen. Historically coroners' juries can be between seven and 11 people. One of their first duties will be to undertake a visit to Paris, with the coroner, to inspect the site of the crash.

What happens next week?

The inquests proper will open next week. They actually began in 2004 after the end of inquiries by both French police and then, in Britain, under Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington; next week's inquests are the continuation of that process.

A series of preliminary hearings have been held in recent months to decide issues such as what evidence can be called, what witnesses will appear and the timetable.

How long will the inquests take and who will appear?

The inquest is likely to take at least six months. Members of the Royal Family will not appear but Princes William and Harry are represented. Other interested parties include Lady Sarah McCorquodale (one of the sisters of Diana, who represents the Spencer family), Mohamed Al Fayed (father of Dodi), the parents of Henri Paul (the chauffeur who also died in the crash) and the president of the Ritz Hotel in Paris.

Unusually, the secret intelligence services as well as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office are also represented.

It is not clear yet how many witnesses will be called. Michael Mansfield, QC, for Mr Al Fayed has a list of some 68 witnesses he would like to attend but the coroner, Lord Justice Scott Baker, is expected to allow closer to one dozen at most. It is within his discretion to decide who should be called. Witnesses can also be compelled to attend.

Some evidence will be heard via video-link from Paris.

Can the public attend the inquests?

There are 125 seats for members of the public, of which 25 will be in the actual court room, number 73, at the Royal Courts of Justice, where the inquest is being held. The rest will be in an overflow temporary court annexe, linked to the main courtroom by video-link. Seats will be on a first come, first served basis.

Will some evidence be heard behind closed doors?

It is possible that the coroner will determine that some evidence should be heard in camera on grounds of national security. This could relate to any surveillance operations of the intelligence services.

Will this inquest draw a line under speculation surrounding the couple's deaths?

This is the wish of the Royal Family and, it is said, in particular the two princes. But the conspiracy theories are unlikely ever to be completely laid to rest.

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