Chief Coroner’s Guidance, Advice and Law Sheets
Bench Books
This bench guidance has been produced as a resource for coroners to help them locate key principles, practical information and precedents when dealing with inquests.
Within it, there are chapters which include, update and expand upon previous Chief Coroner guidance notes. This is intended to be a “live” document. It will be regularly reviewed.
Please direct all enquires to chiefcoronerguidance@judiciary.uk
Guidance
The Chief Coroner provides detailed Guidance to coroners on various matters relating to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, and also occasionally on the law, following an important case. These are written to assist coroners with the law and their legal duties, and to provide commentary and advice on policy and practice.
NB: Guidance Notes 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29, 40, 41, 42 and 44 have all been incorporated into Guidance for Coroners on the Bench
The Chief Coroner’s Guide to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 alongside Guidance Note 34 and 29 have been withdrawn as superseded.
Guidance No 1: The use of post-mortem imaging (adults)
Guidance No 3: Oaths and Robes
Guidance No 6: The Appointment of Coroners (Revised January 2025)
Guidance No 7: A Cadre of Coroners for Service Deaths
Guidance No 13: Family Court Proceedings
Guidance No 14: Mergers of Coroner Areas
Guidance No 16: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
Guidance No 16A: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) 3 April 2017 onwards
Guidance No 18: Section 1(4) Reports: Investigation Without a Body
Guidance No 20: Key Skills for Assistant Coroners
Chief Coroner Joint Guidance on Sudden Cardiac Death – Inherited Heart Conditions
Guidance No 26: Organ Donation (Revised June 2023)
Guidance No 28: Report of Death to the Coroner: Decision Making and Expedited Decisions
Guidance No 30: Judge-led inquests
Guidance No 31: Death Referrals and Medical Examiners
Guidance No 32: Post-Mortem Examinations including Second Post-Mortem Examinations
Guidance No 33: Suspension, Adjournment and Resumption of Investigations and Inquest
Guidance No 43: Discontinuing an Investigation
Guidance No 45: Stillbirth, and Live Birth Following Termination of Pregnancy
Guidance No 46: Obtaining information regarding social media use
Guidance No 47: The Death Certification Reforms
Guidance No 48: The payment of forensic pathology fees
Law Sheets
Law Sheet No.1: Unlawful killing
Law Sheet No.2: Galbraith plus
Law Sheet No.3: The Worcestershire Case
Law Sheet No.4: Hearsay Evidence
Law Sheet No.5: The Discretion of the Coroner
Treasure
Treasure: A Practical Guide for Coroners – Advice from the Chief Coroner
Memorandum of Understanding
MoU with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and National Police Chiefs’ Council (PDF)