APIL asks government to solve 'catch 22' of coronery system

10th, September 2008

The president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has spoken out about bereaved families being forced to attend inquests without legal help because the majority cannot obtain legal aid.

APIL is calling on the government to address the fact that only 21 percent of families who apply for funding help for inquests are successful as part of coroner reforrms.

Concerns have also been raised that many bereaved families may not even be aware that they have a right to legal representation when they attend an inquest, even though witnesses attending to explain the cause of death will have an insurance company’s paid legal team there to help.

Amanda Stevens, president of APIL said the Government’s ‘charter for bereaved people’ – its latest move to update the system – must make it clear that bereaved families can seek legal advice for an inquest. The Coroners and Death Certification Bill is expected to make it onto the statute books in the next parliamentary session.

“Families are faced with a catch 22 situation,” said Amanda. “There are many who are not aware that they have a right to legal representation when they attend the inquest, and then there are those are aware and do seek legal help, but are often turned down when they ask for assistance with funding.

“The Government should be congratulated for the work it is doing to overhaul the coroners and inquests system, which has proved time and time again to be inefficient and out of date,” said Amanda. “What we need now is for funding issues to be addressed before the bill becomes law.”

Releasing the charter, Bridget Prentice, Justice Minister, said: "We have listened carefully to bereaved families and I am pleased to be issuing a new charter that will put their needs at the centre of a reformed system.

'The loss of a loved one is extremely difficult for any family to deal with. The thought of a coroner's investigation can compound the grief and distress.

'Families expect to be treated sensitively, have the coroners' process explained to them and receive information they need. They also want the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the coroner process.

APIL asks government to solve 'catch 22' of coronery system

The president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has spoken out about bereaved families being forced to attend inquests without legal help because the majority cannot obtain legal aid.

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