The inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes will not be held until criminal proceedings against Scotland Yard are concluded, a coroner ruled.
Southwark coroner John Sampson granted a request by the Director of Public Prosecutions to adjourn the inquest provided the case is sent for trial by magistrates later this month.
The request had been fiercely opposed by Mr Menezes' family, who believe the inquest should be held as soon as possible.
The Metropolitan Police is being prosecuted under health and safety laws over the fatal shooting of the innocent Brazilian by its anti-terror officers.
If the police plead not guilty and the matter is sent for a crown court trial next year, the inquest is unlikely to be held before 2008 at the earliest.
However, representatives for the DPP, Ken Macdonald, argued at a hearing that there was a risk of prejudice to the criminal proceedings if the inquest was held before the health and safety case was unsolved.
After hearing legal argument from both sides, Mr Sampson granted the application for adjournment, subject to the case being sent for trial.
The inquest hearing was adjourned for one month to allow that to happen. If it has not happened by then, the coroner indicated he would review the matter again.
