‘Black people account for 3% of the population, but 8% of deaths in custody. As a former chief prosecutor, I know this is only the end point of a system that disproportionately suspects, arrests, convicts and imprisons BAME people.’
The Guardian, 11th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The police shooting of Mark Duggan is a highly contentious case that has been widely cited by Black Lives Matter protesters in the UK.’
The Guardian, 10th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘An official review into the death of a black man who was punched repeatedly by police, beaten with a baton and Tasered has been delayed for the last year because investigators have yet to obtain a transcript of the inquest.’
The Guardian, 6th June 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Corporate Crime analysis: Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted all parts of the justice system, but there are particular ramifications for a jurisdiction which has as its core purpose the investigation of deaths. Therefore, by means of the Coronavirus Act 2020 (CA 2020) and guidance issued by the Chief Coroner, various measures have been taken to ensure that coroners’ courts are not overwhelmed. Matthew E Flinn, barrister at 1 Crown Office Row, discusses these measures.’
1 Crown Office Row, 27th May 2020
Source: www.1cor.com
‘The resumed inquest into the Guildford pub bombs in 1974 will have access to more than 700 classified files, a pre-inquest review (PIR) has been told.’
BBC News, 20th May 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The family of Dawn Sturgess, who died in the Wiltshire novichok poisonings, has won the first stage of a legal challenge against a coroner’s decision to limit the scope of her inquest.’
The Guardian, 13th May 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘In Goodenough v Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police [2020] EWHC 695 (QB), the High Court, Turner J, considered a claim for damages brought by Robin Goodenough’s mother and sister. The claims arose out of Mr Goodenough’s death on 27 September 2003 following a short car chase and traffic stop. The Claimants asserted that police officers had assaulted Mr Goodenough and that thereafter had been breaches of Article 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998. The case provides useful insights into the approach to be taken when conducting a judicial analysis of incidents such as this and may be relied upon by those arguing that an Art. 2 inquest is required in order to meet investigative short comings.’
UK Police Law Blog, 12th May 2020
Source: ukpolicelawblog.com
‘The COVID-19 pandemic is obviously relevant to those who act in the area of Inquests and Inquiries. There will inevitably be a dramatic rise in the workload of coroners and, ultimately, in the number of full inquests being heard. Due to arguments concerning the state’s role in the handling of the pandemic, or of medical provisions and other more systemic issues, there may also be a public inquiry. This note is intended to identify the most immediate issues for practitioners.’
11KBW, 29th April 2020
Source: www.11kbw.com
‘An inquest can sometimes present the only opportunity for a family to ask questions about the circumstances leading to the death of a relative. It can also form an important part of the investigation into a potential claim for personal injury causing death. In relation to deaths arising from Covid – 19 those claims are likely to come from families of employees who have died following exposure to Covid – 19 in the workplace. This article reviews the Chief Coroner’s Guidance Number 37 (CCG 37) dated 28 April 2020 and the Notification of Death Regulations 2019 in considering when a coroner’s investigation should be opened in respect of a Covid – 19 death where possible exposure was in the workplace.’
Park Square Barristers, 29th April 2020
Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk
‘Inevitably the COVID-19 pandemic will result in a significant increase in the workload of coroners and the number of inquests being heard. Cases where the virus may have been contracted in the workplace setting including frontline workers because of the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be one significant area of potential inquiry.’
Parklane Plowden Chambers, 4th May 2020
Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk
‘An Inquest is not a foregone conclusion, since death by prevalent disease will not necessarily be considered “unnatural”. There is new guidance issued today (28 April 2020) by the Chief Coroner as to the circumstances in which in Inquest will be appropriate.’
Doughty Street Chambers, 28th April 2020
Source: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
‘The family of a mentally ill man who starved to death after his benefits were cut have applied for a judicial review of government policy.’
BBC News, 1st May 2020
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A watchdog has dropped its misconduct investigation into Greater Manchester police’s handling of a case involving the death of a schoolboy in Cheshire.’
The Guardian, 30th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Inquests into coronavirus deaths among NHS workers should avoid examining systemic failures in provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), coroners have been told, in a move described by Labour as “very worrying”.’
The Guardian, 29th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘As we watch the Covid-19 pandemic unfold our attention is naturally on the steps that HM Government (“HMG”) is taking to mitigate the immediate crisis. The time is approaching, however, when it will be necessary to evaluate HMG’s preparation for, and response to, the pandemic. Calls are being made by the TUC and doctors’ groups for a public inquiry into one aspect of its response, namely failures to procure adequate personal protective equipment (“PPE”) for NHS staff, at least 100 of whom are believed to have died having contracted the virus while treating patients. HMG is accused of failing to respond to a national exercise in 2016 testing the UK’s resilience to a similar flu pandemic which highlighted an increased need for ventilators. Other criticisms go further. This blog argues that the state owes a duty under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights to investigate some deaths caused by Covid-19. This duty will require not only inquests into individual deaths but also a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 to address those systemic issues not suitable for determination by an inquest. The post builds on and responds to posts by Conall Mallory, James Rowbottom and Elizabeth Stubbins Banes. It also foreshadows the need for reform in this area.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 29th April 2020
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘The Chief Coroner Guidance (numbers 34 and 35) has made it clear, as with other jurisdictions, that no physical hearing should take place unless it is urgent and essential business and it is safe for those involved.’
Parklane Plowden, 24th April 2020
Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk
‘On 7 April 2020, judgment was handed down in R (Carole Smith) v HM Coroner for North West Wales [2020] EWHC 781 (Admin). The case has important repercussions as to the relevance of admitted failures to Coroners’ conclusions and the extent of what should be recorded in the Record of Inquest (‘ROI’).’
Parklane Plowden, 21st April 2020
Source: www.parklaneplowden.co.uk
‘The basic position is well-known: in principle, the costs of an inquest are recoverable in a subsequent clinical negligence claim. The leading case in this regard, also well-known, is Roach -v- Home Office [2010] QB 256.’
Ropewalk Chambers, April 2020
Source: www.ropewalk.co.uk
‘The Metropolitan police are facing legal action over the death of PC Keith Palmer, murdered during a terrorist attack on parliament.’
The Guardian, 20th April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
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