Inquest consultation
· By Fiona Garrett
Have your say on unlawful killing findings at inquests
My son Joshua Robbins was 23 when he died after a communal railing gave way. He was at home, relying on a safety structure to do the one thing it was there to do. As his mum, I want to understand how that happened and what could prevent another family going through it.
The Ministry of Justice is asking whether to raise the standard of proof for a formal finding of unlawful killing at inquests in England and Wales. Today the test is the balance of probabilities, meaning more likely than not. The option being considered would require proof beyond reasonable doubt.
I believe the current standard should stay. Where no charges are brought, an inquest may be the only public hearing where a family gets to hear the evidence about how their loved one died. If that evidence meets today’s test for unlawful killing, I believe the coroner or jury should be able to put that finding on the public record.
Joshua’s inquest is already open. If the law changes, families waiting for their inquests deserve a clear answer about which test will apply.
If you’ve been through an inquest, supported a bereaved family, or work in law, policing, healthcare, housing or building safety, please take part. Tell the Ministry what a higher threshold would mean in practice. I’d particularly like people working in housing and building safety to bring their experience to this consultation.
The consultation closes on . Please respond if you can, and share it with someone whose experience the Ministry should hear.