Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to paragraph 116 of the Report published by the Justice Committee entitled The Coroner Service, HC 68, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delaying legislative steps to ensure that Records of Inquest can be amended without the need for a fresh inquest on access to justice for (a) victims and their (b) families.

The Government intends to bring forward the necessary amendments to section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988 as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Whilst we have not undertaken a formal impact assessment on timings, there remains a well-established process for applications to be made under section 13, which is available in relevant circumstances. The proposed change builds on that existing framework by enabling the High Court, in appropriate cases, to resolve issues rather than directing that a matter be remitted to a coroner for a fresh inquest. This will provide the court with greater flexibility to ensure that it can fulfil its role as expediently as possible and in a way that best serves the interests of justice.