Reduced delays in coroner cases is cause for celebration

A substantial reduction in delays in coroner cases over the past year is a cause for celebration for police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Prison and Probations Ombudsman.

The number of inquest cases which have not been completed within 12 months from the date of the death being reported to the coroner has fallen by 45 per cent.

In 2013/14 there were 2,673 cases not completed or discontinued. The figure for 2014/15 has fallen to 1,467, which is less than 1 per cent of all deaths referred to coroners in England and Wales.

In total, 70 per cent of all coroner areas in England and Wales have recorded a decrease in the number of outstanding cases over 12 months compared to the previous year.

This means that 80 per cent of the 97 coroner areas now have 20 or fewer cases outstanding over the last 12 months.

The completion of older cases is good news for ongoing police inquiries, criminal prosecutions, and Health and Safety Executive, or Prison and Probations Ombudsman inquiries.

The chief coroner, HHJ Peter Thornton QC, welcomed the news: 'Coroners have responded well to requests to review and complete older cases. Backlogs in many coroner areas have been dramatically reduced. This is good news for bereaved families.

'Each case should be given special care and attention so that it is completed within a fair timescale. This requires keen case management and the effective deployment of local resources. With further work I believe this trend should continue next year as well.'