Law Weblog

Power to hold inquests in secret made law

Saturday 14 November 2009 at 7:32 am | In News | Post Comment Inquires into deaths may be held behind closed doors after a power to replace inquests with inquiries was made law on 12 November 2009, by the Coroners and Justice Act.

The provision means that investigations in to controversial deaths, such as that of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes or Government scientist David Kelly as well as military deaths could be held in secret.
The Act allows the Lord Chancellor to decide if an inquest is replaced with a judicial inquiry. The Lord Chief Justice will then decide which judge should lead such an inquiry. If he does not approve, no inquiry can be held.

Where an inquiry is held only some parts might be held in private. It will be for the judge chairing the inquiry to determine which aspects are held in private and which in public.