New Coroners’ Courts guidelines published 

CILEx Regulation, the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority have published new guidance designed to ensure standards for solicitors, barristers and CILEX Advocates in Coroners’ Courts, in response to concerns about the standards of practice among some lawyers.

These include a set of competences spelling out the standards expected of lawyers by the regulators and the public, and guidance and other resources to help make sure those standards are met.

The changes reflect concerns about the adversarial approach adopted by some lawyers, and reports from the charity INQUEST on the experience of bereaved families in Coroner’s Court cases.

The competences complement the existing wider professional competency statements from regulators and set targeted expectations. They cover law and procedure, dealing with vulnerability, communication and engagement and raising awareness of key organisations.

The Chief Coroner for England and Wales, His Honour Judge Thomas Teague QC, said: “It is important that the competencies for lawyers practising in inquests are met. They are important for effective advocacy and reflect the particular and unique challenges lawyers face in inquests. Also, since they helped develop them, coroners will be vigilant in ensuring those before them are meeting the expected standards.”

Coroners will be encouraged to address practice that falls short of these competences, either during the hearing itself or through raising their concerns with the relevant regulator.