Davies and Partners welcome the Government’s announcement to support the creation of the office of Chief Coroner.  The power to do this was set out by the last Government (with cross-party support) in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.  The Act envisaged a wider reform of the coronial system.  The current Government had intended to repeal the legislation allowing creation of this post but after extensive campaigning by, among others, INQUEST, AvMA and the Royal British Legion, has announced that it will now support creation of this office.

The Justice Minister, Ken Clarke, has announced that the Chief Coroner will be responsible for setting standards and training.  However, the Government intend to repeal those parts of the 2009 Act which provided for a revised coronial appeals system.  Under those provisions, families who wished to appeal a Coroner’s decision could have made the appeal to the Chief Coroner.  In addition to the benefits for bereaved families, this process would assist the Chief Coroner with ensuring consistency throughout the inquest service. 

INQUEST have voiced their disappointment with the decision and rightly point out that the framework for the appeals process should, rather than being repealed, be evaluated by the Chief Coroner once in place so that an informed decision can be taken.