Many of the provisions of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 are finally being implemented on Thursday 25 July. These will form the revised Coroners’ Rules and Regulations and are a significant step towards standardising the coronial system and gearing it more towards the needs of families.
INQUEST has been campaigning long and hard for root and branch reform of the coronial system, and was pleased to welcome the appointment of the Chief Coroner last September as the first step along this road.
Helen Shaw, co-director of INQUEST said:
“The implementation of these much-needed reforms is welcome. INQUEST has been campaigning, alongside bereaved families, for fundamental changes to the inquest system for over 30 years.
“Reducing delays, raising standards and improving the impact of inquest findings are important steps towards ensuring the process is both responsive to the needs of bereaved people and protects the wider public interest by preventing further deaths. The post of Chief Coroner will mean there is judicial oversight and leadership of the coroner service for the first time.
“But the lack of an appeals process, no independent inspection of the operation of coroner’s courts and scarcity of resources are cause for concern as are the potential cuts to legal aid for judicial review as that remains the only avenue for people to seek redress for poor decision-making by coroners.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Full background to coronial reform and the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 can be found on our website here
Coronial Reform Process
Nov 2009 Coroners and Justice Act 2009 receives Royal Assent
March 2010 Chief Coroner appointed
May 2010 Coalition government puts implementation on hold after general election
Oct 2010 WMS announces abolition of Chief Coroner in Public Bodies Bill
2010-2011 Campaign by INQUEST, the Royal British Legion, AvMA and bereavement charities to reverse government plans
Dec 2010 House of Lords votes against plans
Nov 2011 Government withdraws abolition plans on eve of second House of Lords debate on Bill
Sept 2012 Chief Coroner takes up post
March 2013 Consultation on new rules and regulations
July 2013 Implementation
Inquest Welcomes Long-awaited Implementation Of Coroners And Justice Act 2009
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Many of the provisions of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 are finally being implemented on Thursday 25 July. These will form the revised Coroners’ Rules and Regulations and are a significant step towards standardising the coronial system and gearing it more towards the needs of families.
INQUEST has been campaigning long and hard for root and branch reform of the coronial system, and was pleased to welcome the appointment of the Chief Coroner last September as the first step along this road.
Helen Shaw, co-director of INQUEST said:
“The implementation of these much-needed reforms is welcome. INQUEST has been campaigning, alongside bereaved families, for fundamental changes to the inquest system for over 30 years.
“Reducing delays, raising standards and improving the impact of inquest findings are important steps towards ensuring the process is both responsive to the needs of bereaved people and protects the wider public interest by preventing further deaths. The post of Chief Coroner will mean there is judicial oversight and leadership of the coroner service for the first time.
“But the lack of an appeals process, no independent inspection of the operation of coroner’s courts and scarcity of resources are cause for concern as are the potential cuts to legal aid for judicial review as that remains the only avenue for people to seek redress for poor decision-making by coroners.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
Coronial Reform Process
Nov 2009 Coroners and Justice Act 2009 receives Royal Assent
March 2010 Chief Coroner appointed
May 2010 Coalition government puts implementation on hold after general election
Oct 2010 WMS announces abolition of Chief Coroner in Public Bodies Bill
2010-2011 Campaign by INQUEST, the Royal British Legion, AvMA and bereavement charities to reverse government plans
Dec 2010 House of Lords votes against plans
Nov 2011 Government withdraws abolition plans on eve of second House of Lords debate on Bill
Sept 2012 Chief Coroner takes up post
March 2013 Consultation on new rules and regulations
July 2013 Implementation
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