The Coroners’ Society of England and Wales welcomes the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, which received Royal Assent today, the 12th November 2009.
This is this is an historic landmark in the 815 year history of the Office of Coroner in that it is the first substantial reform since 1887. The Victorian legislation has served our communities well over the past 122 years, however in recent years the law has fallen behind as a result of changes to society and other legislative progress.
Now that the foundations of reform have been laid by Parliament, the Coroners’ Society looks forward to working with officials, the senior judiciary and other stakeholders on the rules, regulations and structures needed to continue with our public service after the Act has been implemented.
The Society looks forward working with the soon to be appointed Chief Coroner and his office and together will ensure that government properly resources the new responsibilities, structures and services to give effect to the Coroner law reform.
André Rebello – Hon Secretary
N.B. The current law remains the Coroners Act 1988 - this is the law that coroners have to apply until the 2009 statute is implemented.