Published: 16 June 2006
Coroner Reform Bill – justice from the grave?
The Government has published its draft of the Coroner Reform Bill, which aims to offer bereaved families a better service from inquests.
The Bill, prompted by incidents such as the Harold Shipman case, intends to:
· give the bereaved more access into the investigation of the death
· allow relatives of the dead will be able to ask the coroner for a second opinion on a death certificate
· allow relatives to be able to challenge a coroner's decision and make a complaint or appeal to a chief coroner.
The Bill also proposes the creation of a chief coroner, to be recruited in 2007. The chief coroner, who will accountable to Parliament, will be responsible for:
· developing national standards and guidance for coroners
· considering appeals against their decisions
· giving advice to government ministers
The chief coroner will be supported by a new Coronial Advisory Council, whose purpose would be to advise the chief coroner and the Government on all issues that affect the coroner service.
There will also be a system of inspection to improve the service giving to the bereaved.
The Coroner Reform Bill will also be the first Bill that will be writing in two ways – in traditional parliamentary language and also in plain English. Whilst the parliamentary language will be used by the courts to interpret coroner law, the parallel “translation” into plain English aims to allow anyone to read and understand the changes made.
The Bill will also be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by families with recent experience of the inquest system. Ministers claim the feedback from the pre-legislative scrutiny received from the public will help shape the details of the reforms planned.
Harriet Harman said:
"This new law will ensure that the public interest is served by proper enquiries into deaths and the bereaved get the answers they need.
The Bill includes changes that will give coroners greater powers call evidence for their investigations, and have dedicated medical advice available to them.
The constitutional innovation of having a Bill the public can read and understand will mean that the public will be able to join in the debate about the Bill.
The public scrutiny by recently bereaved families is also part of that process - it's about getting the legislation right and not being afraid to change it if necessary."
Further Information
Draft Coroner Reform Bill
The Coroners Society of England and Wales
Related Articles: Change to Coroners
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