Bereaved families face legal inquest trauma

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) is calling on the government to make clear in its “charter for bereaved people” that families can seek legal advice for an inquest. “Families are faced with a catch 22 situation,” says Amanda Stevens, APIL president. “There are many who are not aware that they have a right to legal representation when they attend the inquest, and then there are those who are aware and do seek legal help, but are often turned down when they ask for assistance with funding.” Stevens says the government’s new charter is a prime opportunity to make sure families’ rights are flagged up. The Coroners and Death Certification Bill, under which all reforms are being made, is expected to make it on to the statute books in the next parliamentary session, having failed to do so last year despite being included in the Queen’s Speech.