The Ministry of Justice

We are responsible for the law and policy governing coroners and deal with the operation of the current coroner system.

We are responsible for the law and policy governing coroners. Coroners are independent judicial officers appointed and paid for by the relevant local authorities who are responsible for investigating violent, unnatural deaths or sudden deaths of unknown cause and deaths in custody that are reported to them.

Our responsibilities include: cross-government liaison on coroner matters; queries and advice to ministers, coroners, local authorities and the public; liaison with coroners and bereavement groups; training for coroners and their staff; supervision of the amalgamation of coroner districts, and other statutory casework

Coroner reform

The government is committed to strengthening and improving the coroner system. A draft Coroners Bill was published in June 2006 and was subject to extensive consultation. The Queen's Speech of 3 December 2008 set out plans for a new Coroners and Justice Bill, and a number of policy areas in the draft Coroners Bill were revised in response to consultations.

We published discussion papers on sensitive reporting of coroners' cases and a draft Charter for Bereaved People who come into contact with the coroner service. Following extensive consultation, it was agreed that there would be no general provision on reporting restrictions in the Coroners and Justice Bill. The Charter for Bereaved People was revised and will be enabled by the Coroners and Justice Bill.

Contact us:

Tel: 020 3334 6409 for enquires about the current work of coroners
email  telephone 0203 334 6399 for enquiries about our programme for coroner reform