Taking the Fiat to the end of the road: s.13 applications & challenging the Attorney General

R (Lyttle) v (1) Attorney General (2) HM Senior Coroner for Preston [2018] EWHC, 25.5.2018 In a useful reminder of the constitutional position of the Attorney General, this Administrative Court decision has made it clear that should the Attorney General refuse to give a fiat this will be the end of the road for any […]

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How to go about challenging a PFD report: Not by Judicial Review

R (Dr Siddiqi and Dr Paeprer-Rohricht) v Asst. Coroner for East London [2017] Admin Court CO/2892/2017 Making a report that may prevent future deaths (a ‘PFD report’) under reg. 28 of the Coroners (Investigation) Regulations 2013 is an important but often misunderstood coronial power. The issuing and receipt of a PFD report entails no more […]

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Should Senior Coroners need to seek the Attorney General’s permission under s.13?

Re HM Senior Coroner for North West Wales [2017] EWHC 2557 (Admin) When unidentified human remains were found on a Welsh beach in 1994 the cause of death was unascertained: the inquest returned an open verdict with the deceased unknown. However, tissue samples had been retained and advances in forensic science had recently allowed a […]

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When giving Inquest evidence may cause distress to a vulnerable witness

R (Maguire) v Assistant Coroner West Yorkshire [2017] EWHC 2039 (Admin) The horrific murder of Mrs Ann Maguire, a school teacher stabbed in her classroom by a 15 year old pupil, justifiably shocked the Nation. Now that William Cornick has pleaded guilty to her murder (and been sentenced to a minimum of 20 years’ detention) […]

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Deepcut Coroner decides to hear inquest without jury

His Honour Peter Rook QC has decided to hear the forthcoming inquest into the death of Sean Benton without a jury. Private Benton died from gunshot wounds at Deepcut Barracks in 1995, the first of four deaths at the barracks that have caused enduring public interest and led to numerous investigations. The original inquest, which […]

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