Insider's guide: The Diana inquest

LONDON, England (CNN) -- What is it?

When a British citizen dies abroad in sudden or unnatural circumstances, an inquest must be held, according to British law. An inquest is distinct from a trial -- there is no-one who faces charges in this inquest -- instead it is an exploratory procedure aimed at assessing how Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed died in Paris 10 years ago.

The 11 jurors will listen to six months worth of evidence to decide four key questions: Who died, when, where and how? The only verdict open to the jury are accidental death, unlawful killing or an open verdict.

Dodi Al Fayed's father, Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed, has alleged the crash was not an accident but a murder ordered by the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, and carried out by British security services.

A by-product of the inquest is that many of the conspiracy theories may be explored and finally laid to rest.

Why did it take so long for the inquest to be held?

Firstly the French authorities had to finish their investigations (which took two years) before the British started theirs. Following this the British police undertook a three-year investigation that culminated in the Stevens Report. Further delays to the inquest were caused when two coroners resigned. It is now being lead by 69-year-old Lord Justice Baker.

What did the police inquiries conclude?

The French inquiry found that the accident had been caused by the driving of chauffeur Henri Paul. It was concluded he had mixed alcohol and prescription drugs and was driving too fast as he tried to shake off the paparazzi on motorbikes. The photographers were cleared of manslaughter charges.

The British Stevens Report found that Henri Paul was three times over the legal limit and driving too fast and the death of Diana and Dodi was an accident.

What questions will be asked at this inquest?

Lord Justice Baker has already disputed rumors that Diana was carrying Dodi's child at the time of the crash and that she and Dodi were engaged. The inquest will look at allegations of murder but at this early stage the inquiry seems to be quashing some of the more lurid speculations surrounding the case.

There are 20 issues that Lord Justice Baker hopes to address. These include: Was Henri-Paul drunk or on drugs? Was Princess Diana in fear of her life? Who was driving the white Fiat Uno that clipped the Mercedes shortly before it crashed? Why did the ambulance take one hour and 40 minutes to transport Diana only four miles from the hospital? Could her life have been saved had she undergone surgery quicker?

Who will give evidence?

Mohamed al Fayed wants the Queen and Prince Philip to give evidence, but it is highly unlikely the Queen will appear in the witness box. Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell is expected to give evidence.

In the past Burrell has hinted that he believes the Princess was at risk of harm from "dark forces" at work in Britain. There will be lawyers at the inquest representing the Al Fayeds, the parents of Henri Paul, British security services department MI6 and the Spencer family.

Princes William and Harry will not be attending, although they have sent a representative along. E-mail to a friend

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