Model coroner's service charter

This document should be read in conjunction with Home Office Circular No 46/1999

General

Application

1. This Charter tells you what standards of performance are to be expected in the coroner service, and what to do if something goes wrong. This Charter relates to the coroner service in [county/coroner's district].

Statement of legal position

2. The [defined area] Coroner Service operates within a legal framework. It is the duty of coroners to investigate deaths which are reported to them and which appear to be due to violence, or are unnatural, or are sudden and of unknown cause, or which occur in legal custody, and to carry out certain related responsibilities.

Conduct

3. [Defined area] Coroners and their [staff] will treat the bereaved and other members of the public courteously and sympathetically at all times, and will have regard, within the constraints of the statutory duties, to the deceased's religious faith and cultural traditions.
4. Duties will be discharged impartially, with a view to ascertaining the facts surrounding a death for the purpose of the coroner's statutory responsibilities.
5. Confidentiality will be preserved as far as possible within a system based on public court hearings. Explanations for the procedures adopted in particular cases will be given, on request, where the coroners is satisfied that the person has a proper interest.

Correspondence

6. Written enquiries to the coroner will normally receive a reply within [10] working days of receipt. If the matter cannot be resolved within that time, an acknowledgement will be issued within [5] working days with an estimate of when a substantive reply will be sent.

Contact and enquiry points

7. The [defined area] coroner's office/coroners' offices is/are situated at [address/es]. The office/s is/are open from [time] to [time], [days of the week]. The telephone/fax numbers are [telephone numbers]. Out of office hours, contact can be made [eg through police stations].
8. Court hearings are/may be held at [address/es] [, or at other, appropriate, venues]. The court/s do/do not have toilets, refreshments, separate waiting rooms, telephones, arrangements for the disabled [to be specified eg access for wheelchairs; facilities for the hard of hearing]. Those wishing to attend court who have any special requirements (including, for example, translating or interpreting services) are requested to contact the coroner's office in advance.
9. A map giving directions to the location of the court/coroner's office is attached/available on application to [person/address/telephone number]. [The location of the coroner's court is signposted.]
10. Coroners and their [staff] will identify themselves by name in their dealings with members of the public. Deputy and assistant deputy coroners act when the coroner is not available. In doing so, they exercise the full powers of the coroner.

Inquiries not requiring an inquest

11. If a death is reported which does not need to be the subject of an inquest, a certificate giving the cause of death will be sent to the registrar of deaths within 5 working days of the completion of the coroner's enquiries.

Before the inquest

Interviews

12. If the coroner or his [staff] need to interview someone about a death, the aim will be to do so no more than once, at a time and place convenient to the person concerned. If the person wishes, they may be accompanied during the interview by a relative, friend or other person. Every effort will be made to avoid causing any additional distress to close friends or relatives of the deceased. A copy any statement to be used at the inquest will be provided to the person who made it, on request, at least [10] working days in advance of the hearing (unless the coroner has good reason not to release it).

Post mortems

13. When the coroner decides that a post mortem is necessary, wherever possible, the immediate next of kin whose details are known will be given:
    • an explanation why a post mortem is necessary and what is involved, if requested;
    • advance notice of the arrangements, so that they may be represented (by a doctor) if they wish (but post mortem examinations must normally be undertaken as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours of the discovery of the death). Notice may not always be practicable;
    • a copy of the post mortem report, if requested

Administrative arrangements

14. The coroner will notify those asked to attend an inquest:
    • the date and time of each hearing (if more than one) at least 10 working days in advance (but note that the formal opening of the inquest - for taking evidence of identity and the medical cause of death - will generally take place within [2] days of the report of the death, at which point the body will normally be released);
    • details of the location of the court where the inquest will be held and of the facilities which will be available there;
    • details of the telephone number [and a [named] contact] for enquiries;

    and will:

    • [provide/advise on the availability of] a leaflet explaining the purpose and procedures of inquests;
    • advise those who express a wish to do so that they may attend an inquest as an observer beforehand;
    • explain to those called as a witness or juror how to claim for travel and subsistence expenses and for financial loss allowances;
    • ascertain any preference for swearing evidence (eg in accordance with specified religious beliefs, or on affirmation).

Timing

15. The coroner will endeavour to hold any necessary inquest at the earliest possible date. Most inquests in [defined area] take place within [] months of the death. However, there may be factors outside the coroner's control which can cause delay. Where the inquest is likely to be delayed, the coroner will notify interested persons of the position, including the reasons for any continuing delay, on a regular basis, unless the inquest has been formally adjourned to a specific date.

Release of the body

16. The coroner will release the body of the deceased for the funeral at the earliest opportunity, normally within [3 days]. Where there are uncertainties as to the cause of death, or where the death is suspicious, it may be necessary to retain the body longer for further investigation. The coroner will ensure that relatives are advised of potential delays and the reasons for them.

Disclosure of information

17. The coroner will, on request and at his discretion, provide to interested persons not less than [10] working days in advance of the inquest copies of the post mortem report, for which payment may be required.

Jurors

18. For jurors, the coroner will:
    • send a leaflet explaining the duties of a juror at an inquest, and providing other relevant information, [10] days beforehand;
    • provide an indication in advance of how long the jury service will last.

After the inquest

19. On the conclusion of the inquest, the next of kin, if present, will be provided with a written explanation about how, where and when a copy of the death certificate may be obtained.
20. If, in the interests of preventing further fatalities, the coroner decides to report the matter to a relevant person or authority, he will do so within [10] working days of the inquest outcome. He will also send copies of his letter to all the interested persons. A copy of any subsequent reply will be sent within [5] days of its receipt.
21. The coroner will supply to an interested person, on application, a copy of the inquest verdict (although this is reproduced on the death certificate), or any of the documents produced in evidence, within [10] working days of receipt of the prescribed fee( which will vary according to the number and size of the documents to be copied). An estimate of the fee will be provided in advance if requested.
22. The coroner will also supply, for the prescribed fee, a copy of his notes of evidence, but this may take up to [6] weeks to provide. In all cases, an estimate of the fee will be given on application.
23. The coroner/local authority will pay witness and juror expenses claims promptly and within [10] working days of receipt of properly completed applications.

Applications for permission to remove a body abroad

24. The coroner will make every effort to complete his enquiries and decide such applications within 5 days of receipt of notice [including weekends and bank holidays].

Treasure inquests

25. Coroners have responsibility for enquiries into treasure finds. Information leaflets about treasure are available from the coroner's office.

Feedback and complaints

26. Coroners will not normally enter into correspondence about the cases they have completed, but comments and suggestions on improving the coroner service are always welcome. Please contact the coroner's office at the address given [above]. The aim of the coroner service is to provide a service of excellence so that you should have no cause for complaint, but if you do, the complaint will be dealt with speedily and courteously.

    Complaints about a coroner's decision or the outcome of an inquest can only be dealt with through the High Court. The coroner's office will be able to explain the procedure on request, but cannot give legal advice.

    All complaints about the administration of the [defined area] coroner service, or the conduct of individual coroners or their [staff], should be raised in the first instance with the coroner concerned by writing to him or telephoning him at [address]. The coroner will reply to such complaints in accordance with the timescales set out above.

    If the coroner is unable to deal with the complaint satisfactorily, the complainant may refer it to the Home Office (Coroners Section, Room 972, 50 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT. Tel: 020 7273 2888/3574 The Home Office has no disciplinary powers or power to award compensation, but may, in appropriate cases, refer the complaint to the Lord Chancellor who is responsible for the discipline of coroners.

Performance

27. The coroner's and Council's performance will be monitored regularly against the standards detailed in this document. [Details can be obtained from [eg the Council]].

Further information

28. Further copies of this charter may be obtained from the coroner's office. General information is contained in the Home Office leaflet 'The Work of the Coroner', also available from the coroner's office [, or from police stations/hospitals/libraries/council offices].