Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
3
Recommendation
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
Tom Luce, among others, has identified the Ministry of Justice decision not to publish its 2015 review of the operation of the 2009 Act as a serious breach of a commitment to do so. No good reason has been given for the non-publication of that review. The present Minister’s argument …
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Tom Luce, among others, has identified the Ministry of Justice decision not to publish its 2015 review of the operation of the 2009 Act as a serious breach of a commitment to do so. No good reason has been given for the non-publication of that review. The present Minister’s argument that it is now out of date is not sufficient reason for continuing to withhold it. At the very least, publication would allow that contention to be tested, and no harm can be done if the report’s conclusions truly are obsolete. We recommend that the MoJ immediately publish its 2015 review of the effectiveness of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. (Paragraph 37) Putting bereaved people at the heart of the Coroner Service Reducing delays so the body can be released
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to immediately publish its 2015 review of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, stating the analysis is outdated and bringing it to a publishable standard would require disproportionate resources.
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Ministry of Justice
6
Recommendation
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
Help and support for bereaved people depend on the priorities, capacity and skills of the local Coroner Service and local volunteers in the Coroners’ Courts Support Service. The Ministry of Justice should as a matter of urgency provide funding for 58 The Coroner Service support services for bereaved people at …
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Help and support for bereaved people depend on the priorities, capacity and skills of the local Coroner Service and local volunteers in the Coroners’ Courts Support Service. The Ministry of Justice should as a matter of urgency provide funding for 58 The Coroner Service support services for bereaved people at inquests, (such as those provided by the Coroners’ Courts Support Service), so that this support is available in every Coroner Area. (Paragraph 66) Rights for bereaved people
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to provide urgent funding for support services for bereaved people at inquests, citing the need for further detailed work on affordability and legal/commercial issues.
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Ministry of Justice
16
Recommendation
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
Pathology services for coroners have been neglected over many years leading to serious problems.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to immediately review and increase pathologists’ fees, arguing that fees are not the sole cause of shortages and there's no evidence that raising them would address the problem. It will, however, keep the issue under consideration and engage with relevant …
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Ministry of Justice
17
Recommendation
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
The Ministry of Justice should immediately review and increase Coroner Service fees for pathologists, so they are enough to ensure an adequate supply of pathology services to the Coroner Service.
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to immediately review and increase Coroner Service fees for pathologists, arguing it's not the sole reason for shortages, and an increase alone lacks evidence to solve the problem; it will keep the issue under consideration and engage to find a …
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Ministry of Justice
20
Recommendation
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
The majority of witnesses to our inquiry, two Chief Coroners, and almost everyone who has been commissioned to review aspects of the Coroner Service sees the need for a unified service for England and Wales. There is unacceptable variation in the standard of service between Coroner areas. The quality of …
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The majority of witnesses to our inquiry, two Chief Coroners, and almost everyone who has been commissioned to review aspects of the Coroner Service sees the need for a unified service for England and Wales. There is unacceptable variation in the standard of service between Coroner areas. The quality of each local coroner service should not have to depend on the local authority and the Senior Coroner having a shared understanding and priorities. The Ministry of Justice should unite coroner services into a single service for England and Wales.
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to unite coroner services into a single national service, citing the massive change project involved, complex negotiations, and its belief that it would not necessarily be the best solution; instead, it will continue to support local authority mergers of coroner …
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Ministry of Justice
21
Recommendation
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
As with calls for a national service for England and Wales, there is an overwhelming and long-standing view that the Coroner Service would benefit from the presence of an inspectorate overseeing its work. As with those calls, we are merely repeating what others have repeatedly said by recommending that the …
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As with calls for a national service for England and Wales, there is an overwhelming and long-standing view that the Coroner Service would benefit from the presence of an inspectorate overseeing its work. As with those calls, we are merely repeating what others have repeatedly said by recommending that the Ministry of Justice should establish a Coroner Service Inspectorate to report publicly on how well each area accords with the Chief Coroner’s ‘Model Area’, its readiness in case of mass fatalities and the level of service provided to bereaved people. The Ministry of Justice should create a Coroner Service Inspectorate. (Paragraph 166) 60 The Coroner Service
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a Coroner Service Inspectorate, arguing that a single national service would be a massive, complex change project and not necessarily the best solution, preferring to support local authority mergers of coroner areas.
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Ministry of Justice
22
Recommendation
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
Consequent upon the establishment of a national service and an inspectorate, there should be a review of the mechanisms available for handling complaints against Coroners. (Paragraph 167) Public disasters
Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation for a review of coroner complaint mechanisms, stating that coroners are independent judicial office holders and the existing Judicial Conduct Investigations Office provides a robust and consistent process for complaints.
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Ministry of Justice
23
Conclusion
1st Report - The Coroner Service
Rejected
There has been good progress in improving the Coroner Service’s response to public disasters. However, a National Coroner Service is needed to ensure that inquests into mass fatalities are properly managed and that the deceased and bereaved people are always given the respect they deserve.
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There has been good progress in improving the Coroner Service’s response to public disasters. However, a National Coroner Service is needed to ensure that inquests into mass fatalities are properly managed and that the deceased and bereaved people are always given the respect they deserve.
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the idea that a National Coroner Service is needed, stating it would be a massive change project and not necessarily the best solution, and instead will continue working with local authorities to identify opportunities for coroner area mergers.
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Ministry of Justice