The newly appointed Chief Coroner of England and Wales, Peter Thornton QC, has given his first public speech. During his address to the Coroners’ Society he set down a number of forthcoming changes to the coronial system and the way that Inquests will be handled.
Coronial System Changes Outlined By Peter Thornton QC
From June 2013, Coroners will be appointed on a five yearly basis and will have to retire at age 70. Currently both doctors and lawyers are eligible to become Coroners. From June 2012, only qualified lawyers will be appointed as Coroners. Local authorities will have responsibility for appointing Coroners which will end the current practice of senior Coroners making their own appointments.
As part of his speech the Chief Coroner announced that he is considering whether to develop a number of specially trained Coroner groups. This could include a set of specially trained service death Coroners who could travel to the area of the next of kin to investigate and hold the Inquest. He has begun a consultation with the Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion over these plans. He is also considering whether to establish a group of Coroners specialising in deaths in custody.
During his speech the Chief Coroner commented that the current coronial system suffered from a “lack of consistency, a lack of leadership and a lack of guidance”. It is his intention to change this. He will have the power to step in and take over an investigation at any stage although it is not his intention to do this frequently.
Following the Chief Coroner’s speech Deborah Coles of Inquest commented:
“The whole Coroner’s system has been so grossly neglected for the past hundred years we hope we will now see a more accountable and meaningful system.”
Only once the changes have been implemented will we be able to properly assess whether they will have a positive effect on the coronial system. However, the Chief Coroner’s plans seem to acknowledge the complexity of coronial law and also be moving the coronial system forward in the right direction. Therefore the changes should be welcomed.
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