PART I
THE OFFICE OF CORONER
Chapter 1. General Introduction
Context
Early history
Status and Position of Coroners
The Coroner’s Inquiry
Other Functions
Relations with Central Government
Human Rights
Chapter 2. The Office of Coroner
Classification of Coroners
Appointment
Terms of Appointment: The Chief Coroner
Senior, Area and Assistant Coroners: Terms of Appointment
Chapter 3. Medical Examiners
Introduction
Appointment
Functions
National Medical Examiner
Chapter 4. The Territorial Jurisdiction of Coroners
Territorial Jurisdiction
Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction
PART II
THE INVESTIGATION
Chapter 5. Beginning the Investigation
Basis of Coronial Jurisdiction
What Amounts to a Body
Jurisdiction without a Body Duty to Report Death
Certificate of Cause of Death
Deaths Associated with Operations or Anaesthesia
Doctor’s Knowledge of Criminal Acts
Registrar’s Report to Coroner
Other Reports to Coroner
Report to Registrar
Other Reports
Coroner’s Enquiries
Violent or Unnatural Deaths
Sudden Death of which the Cause is Unknown
Death in Custody or State Detention
Deaths Outside England and Wales
Deaths Involving Visiting Forces
State and Diplomatic Immunity
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Refusal to Hold an Inquest
Chapter 6. The Scope of the Investigation
Introduction
The Four Questions
The Effect of the Human Rights Act 1998
Chapter 7. Information and Publicity
Context
Publicity
Coroner’s Powers to Obtain Information
Disclosure of Information
Data Protection
Freedom of Information
Copyright
Privilege
Chapter 8. Coroner’s Powers Before Inquest
Reference to Coroner
Exhumation
Possession and Release of Body
Preliminary Inquiries
The Investigation
Post-Mortem Examinations
After the Examination
Anatomical Organ Transplants
Examination
Human Gametes
Chapter 9. Disposal of Human Remains
Possession of a Body
Disposal of a Body
Removal of Bodies out of England and Wales
PART III
THE INQUEST
Chapter 10. The Inquest: Preliminaries
Status of the Court
Opening and Adjourning the Inquest
Time of Inquest
Place of Inquest
Notice of Inquest
Summoning Witnesses
Joinder of Inquests
Summoning a Jury
Legal Aid
Preparation for the Hearing
Compulsory Suspension of Investigation and Adjournment of Inquest
Pre-Inquest Review
Chapter 11. Procedure at the Inquest: Part I
Holding/Resuming the Inquest
Publicity
The Jury
Composition of the Bench
Counsel to the Inquest
Views
Adjournment of the Inquest
Representation and Advocacy
Application by Interested Persons
Reporting Restrictions
Contempt of Court
Chapter 12. Procedure at the Inquest: Part II
Witnesses
Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Admission of Documents
Other Procedural Matters
Chapter 13. Determination and Record of Inquest
Determination and Findings
Jury Cases
Record of Inquest
Closing the Inquest
Reports to Prevent Future Deaths
PART IV
SPECIAL CASES
Chapter 14. Homicide
The Practice in Homicide Cases
Initial Inquiries
Post-Mortem Examination
Procedure Following Post-Mortem Examination
Holding the Inquest
The law of Homicide in Outline
Participation in crime
Chapter 15. Notifiable Accidents and Prescribed Diseases
General
Notifiable Accidents and Occurrences
Agricultural Accidents
Injury in the Course of Employment
Notifiable Diseases
Industrial Diseases
Other Reportable Diseases
Chapter 16. Treasure
Medieval Definition
The Treasure Act 1996
Codes of Practice and Reports
Jurisdiction of the Coroner
The Coroner’s Powers and Duties
Disclaimer
Function of an Inquest into Treasure
Evidence and Procedure
Verdict
Modern Application
Chapter 17. Major Disasters
Introduction
Cadre of DVI Coroners
Contingency Planning
Mortuary and Other Facilities
The Course of the Inquiry
Pathology
Costs
Coordination with Other Inquiries
Holding the Inquest
Multiple Deaths by Homicide
PART V
AFTER THE INQUEST
Chapter 18. Matters After the Inquiry
Functus officio
Post-Inquiry Duties
Other Returns
Fees, Allowances and Expenses
Access to Documents and Information
General Administrative Matters
Chapter 19. Appeals
Introduction
Statutory Power
Judicial Review
Costs
Appeals to the Court of Appeal
Residual Common Law Powers
Funding of Legal Services
Consequences
Chapter 20. Further Proceedings
PART VI
THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
Chapter 21. Coroners and Human Rights
Introduction
The Right to Life
The Right to a Fair Hearing
The Right to Respect for Private and Family Life
The Right to Freedom of Religion and Belief
The right to Freedom of Expression
Other Miscellaneous Rights
Chapter 22. Comparative Death Inquiry Law
Introduction
Common Law Systems
Mixed Jurisdictions
Civilian Systems
Conclusion
PART VII
APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Statutes and Statutory Extracts
Appendix 2. Statutory Instruments
Appendix 3. Forms
Appendix 4. Precedents for Judicial Review
Appendix 5. Death
Appendix 6. Forensic Medicine and Pathology
Appendix 7. Useful Websites
