The Coroners (Amendment) Rules 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Coroners Rules 1984 (S.I. 1984/552).

Rule 2 amends rule 43 of the 1984 Rules to clarify when a coroner may report the circumstances of a death to a person who the coroner believes will have power to take action in relation to future deaths. The coroner will have power to give a copy of the report to the Lord Chancellor (who may publish it) and to interested persons and to any other person who may have an interest. The person to whom the report is made is required to give the coroner a written response to it. Provision is also made for a copy of the report, or a summary of it, to be given to the Lord Chancellor, interested persons and any other person who may have an interest.

Rule 3 inserts new rule 57A which requires a coroner to ensure that the appropriate Local Safeguarding Children Board (as defined in rule 57A(4)) is notified of a death if the coroner believes that the deceased was or may have been under 18 at the time of death. By rule 57A(3), a coroner may supply information to a Local Safeguarding Children Board for use for the purposes of its functions.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on business, the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.