Coroner System Reform (Consultation)

Justice written statement – made at on 11 March 2010.

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Photo of Bridget Prentice Bridget Prentice Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Justice

The Government are today publishing a consultation paper to seek views on aspects of policy that will inform the drafting of secondary legislation to be made under part 1 (Coroners Etc) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

Our consultation paper seeks views on the following nine policy areas:

The specific types of deaths which should be reported to coroners for investigation.

The criteria, and financial arrangements, for transferring cases from one coroner to another.

Post-mortem examinations.

The application of coroner powers of entry, search and seizure.

Coroners' disclosure of relevant documents to bereaved families and others with a core interest.

The conduct of inquests.

The new appeals and complaints systems.

The training of coroners, their officers and other support staff.

Short death certificates.

The consultation will run until 1 July 2010. Following the subsequent development of the secondary legislation, we plan to share it, in draft, in a further consultation in 2011. The intention remains to implement the bulk of the Act's coroner provisions in April 2012.

Today, I have deposited copies of the consultation paper in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are also available in the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office. Copies are available on the internet at: www.justice.gov.uk.