INQUEST’s Briefing on consideration of amendments to the Public Bodies Bill 
(PDF, 547KB) outlines frequently-asked questions (FAQs) on the need for overhaul of the inquest system and examines the government’s arguments for abolition of the Chief Coroner’s office.
INQUEST welcomed the objective of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 “to put the bereaved at the heart of the process.” The Act has the potential to make real progress in remedying many of the problems in the current system. However, the new model agreed by Parliament two years ago would be rendered completely hollow without the driving force and national leadership of a Chief Coroner.
The briefing analyses government arguments in support of their decision not to implement the reforms to the inquest system contained in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and to abolish the Chief Coroner’s office. It contains answers to the questions that Peers and MPs frequently ask INQUEST about proper reform of the coronial system and the government’s plans. INQUEST believes the government’s arguments on coronial reform do not add up – logically or financially.
The FAQs were updated in the form of a briefing on consideration of amendments to the Public Bodies Bill in November 2011.
