Reform of the coroner system
Posted: March 6, 2013
Posted in: Personal Injury Wrongful & Accidental Death
The Ministry of Justice has announced changes to the coroner system to ensure a much strong focus on supporting bereaved families. The changes will mean that coroners will:
- be subject to stricter time limits for completing an inquest;
- have to report any cases that last more than a year to the Chief Coroner;
- be required to release bodies for funerals within 30 days;
- provide greater access to materials, such as post-mortem reports, before the inquest takes place;
- be able to make use of new technologies so that vulnerable witnesses can give evidence via video link;
- be subject to new mandatory training requirements.
The reforms will also half the time limit (from 56 to 28 days) which organisations have to respond to a coroner report on preventing future deaths (currently known as ‘rule 43 reports’). The proposals are part of a new consultation which sets out the next stage in the Government’s on-going overhaul of the coroner system.
If you’ve lost a loved one to a lethal personal injury, we can help you seek compensation on their behalf on a no win, no fee* basis. Contact our team today to discuss your claim.
« Brick firm breaks safety law causing worker to severely injure hand
Food company in court over worker’s hand injury »
