Coroners Inquest Barristers Blog
News, articles and background to Coroners, Inquests and the Coroners Court
Article 2 Inquests
Article 2 Inquest – These relate to Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights which protects the right to life. The European Court of Human Rights has declared that “Article 2 ranks as one of the most fundamental provisions in the Convention”. Member states are obliged to abide by three key aspects of this convention.
Coroners Court
The role of the coroner is an independent judicial office held in England and Wales. Coroners are appointed and paid for by the relevant local authority. Coroners preside over inquests taking place at the Coroners Court. The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice heads up the Ministry of Justice which just has the responsibility for coroner law and policy, with no operational responsibility.
Coroners Act
Coroners can also become involved when person who died was not visited by a medical practitioner during their final illness, when a medical certificate isn’t available or when a person who died wasn’t seen by the doctor who signed the medical certificate within 14 days before death or after they died.
Coroners
The Coroners Society provides restricted information to the public. Full access to their site is limited to members of the society, those who are Coronial Office holders in England and Wales. Their site does however provide a general overview of the role and function of the Society in England and Wales.