Post-implementation review of the coroner reforms in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009
Seeks views on experiences of aspects of coroner services that were reformed under the Coroners and Justice 2009 Act
Detail
This review seeks to find out whether the coroner reforms are operating as planned and whether there have been any unintended consequences.
The key areas of change were the following:
- the publication of statutory guidance, the “Guide to Coroners Services”, for bereaved people (available from coroners’ offices and on gov.uk)
- a requirement that coroners disclose information that bereaved people request during an investigation, free of charge
- a requirement for all inquests to be recorded
- a requirement that coroners are available at all times to address matters which must be dealt with immediately
- a requirement that bereaved people and other interested persons are notified of inquest arrangements and any changes within a week of the arrangements or changes made
- flexibility of the location for inquests and post-mortem examinations which may now be held anywhere in England and Wales rather than being restricted to the coroner’s area
The Government’s response will be published in early 2016.