Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Bereaved people deserve a charter of rights setting out the standards of service they are...
Conclusion
Bereaved people deserve a charter of rights setting out the standards of service they are entitled to receive from the Coroner Service. Setting out the standards they can ‘expect’ in the Guide to Coroner Services is inadequate. The Ministry of Justice should implement a statutory Charter of Rights for bereaved people, modelled on the criminal justice system’s victims’ code. (Paragraph 70) Access to evidence and openness
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We do not agree with the Committee’s views on the Guide which we consider provides detailed information on the standards that bereaved people can expect to receive from the inquest process, and at Section 8 sets out steps that they can take where they feel it has fallen short. The protocol within the Guide also sets out clearly how, when it has interested person status, Government and its lawyers will approach the inquest. It states that it will be sensitive to the needs of the bereaved and guide the behaviour of that department in recognising the need for the bereaved to be properly involved throughout the inquest process. This makes clear to bereaved people what they can expect and provides the opportunity to speak out when they feel standards are not met. Further, unlike victims in criminal courts, bereaved families have a special status at inquests as interested persons which gives them certain statutory rights including to receive disclosure as well as to examine witnesses at the inquest. And the coroner can ask questions on their behalf to help ensure interested persons get the answers they need. Nevertheless, we are considering what more might be provided to bereaved families. This will be set out in the Government’s response to Bishop James’ report in due course and we are therefore not responding to the recommendation at this stage.