Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to consult on the proposed reforms to the coronial system as set out in the 2021 Queen's Speech.

The Ministry of Justice does not plan to consult on the proposed reforms to the coronial system but the measures will be contained in a forthcoming Bill which will be available to all members of the House. Additionally, three of the proposed reforms have been included in successive Chief Coroner’s Annual Reports to the Lord Chancellor which have been laid in Parliament advising that these changes will improve coroner processes; the fourth reform around virtual courts would bring coroner’s courts in line with mainstream courts and tribunals. Each of these proposed measures would simplify processes in coroner’s courts and therefore help bereaved families to engage with inquest processes in an easier way.

The Government continues to consider its approach towards the means-testing of legal representation for bereaved families attending inquests as part of the Legal Aid Means Test Review, which is due to be published in Autumn 2021.