18 June 2008
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has made a statement on a new draft charter on services bereaved people will receive from coroners in a reformed system.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Bridget Prentice):
Today I am publishing a revised draft version of the Charter for the Bereaved for comment. The charter describes the services bereaved people can expect to receive from a reformed coroner system, and sets out the rights of redress if services are not delivered. It additionally explains appeal rights against particular decisions taken by coroners in individual cases. The charter makes it clear that the needs of bereaved people will be at the centre of the reformed system.
Public consultation on the charter was previously undertaken in 2006 when it was published alongside the draft Coroners Bill. There were further informal consultations with those who work within the current system, and several voluntary sector groups which interact with it, during 2007. Changes were made as a result and are reflected in this new draft, together with the changes made as a result of consultation on the Bill, which I announced in March.
I am publishing the charter now to provide a further opportunity for comments in advance of the planned introduction of a Coroners and Death Certification Bill in the next session of Parliament. As with the draft Bill, it is my intention to publish an updated version when the Bill proper is introduced.