Ministry of Justice
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Comment on historic reforms to the coroners' system
Individuals and organisations are being asked to comment on how a reformed national coroners' system will work in practice, in a consultation document issued today.
The consultation calls for views on how the changes to the system, which were introduced in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, should be implemented. Ideas and comments received as part of the consultation will be used to inform secondary legislation and national guidance to allow the new system to be ready by April 2012.
Reforms to the system include:
- making it easier to transfer inquests between difference coroner areas
- the appointment of a chief coroner and national leadership team
- ensuring that bereaved family members have the right to request information which is being used by coroners to make their decisions
- introducing a national appeals system
- ensuring that inquests answer the questions of bereaved families as well as possible
- improving standards and ensuring consistency across the country.
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said:
'I've met a number of grieving families who have had contact with the coroners' system. While some families have had a straightforward experience during what is always an unhappy time, others have found their contact with the system confusing or alienating, and have often not been aware of their rights.
'These reforms will remove inconsistencies, placing the needs of the bereaved at the centre of the process, and ensuring that everyone involved in the investigation is clear about their rights and responsibilities.'
Today's consultation asks for views and inputs on subjects across the entire coroners' system, including:
- clarifying which deaths needs to be reported to coroners
- the criteria for allowing cases to be transferred
- the new appeals and complaints system to be set up under the Chief Coroner
- how to ensure bereaved families and other parties are able to access the information made available to coroners, and that they are aware of their right to do so
- giving wider powers to coroners to compel evidence to be given or produced.
Views are being invited from bereaved families, coroners, coroners' officers, local government, and other groups and individuals working within the system.
Today's consultation closes on July 1 2010. Submissions received will be used to help draft secondary legislation, and a final consultation on the proposals will be held next year. The Department of Health will hold a separate consultation on the reform of the death certification system.
Notes to editors
1. The Coroners and Justice Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 14 January 2009 and enacted on 12 November 2009.
2. For further information, please contact the Ministry of Justice newsdesk on 020 3334 3536.
Contact press office
Newsdesk: 020 3334 3536
(Mon - Fri: 7am to 8pm)
