header-logo header-logo

Come in number 43

04 March 2011 / Louise Smail , Gerard Forlin KC
Issue: 7455 / Categories: Opinion
printer mail-detail

Since 1194 when the office of coroner was established, the role and significance of coroners has increased.

Gerard Forlin QC & Louise Smail assess the impact of Rule 43

Since 1194 when the office of coroner was established, the role and significance of coroners has increased. The coroner’s role is an independent judicial officer who investigates sudden, violent, or unnatural death. The verdict must be given in such a way that it doesn’t appear to determine any question of criminal or civil liability. An inquest should not take place until the police have confirmed that there are to be no prosecutions.

However, if in the course of the inquest evidence arises which suggests there ought to be a prosecution, then the coroner is able to refer the matter back to the police and/or director of public prosecutions to reconsider the matter. If there is an unlawful killing verdict, the matter is automatically referred back to the police. In relation to health and safety prosecutions these normally, but not always, are brought

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll