Reports to Prevent Future Deaths (PFD reports)
Coroners have a statutory duty to make a report where, during an investigation, they identify circumstances that create a risk of future deaths. This duty arises under Paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
The coroner must issue a report to a person, organisation, local authority or government department/agency where the coroner believes they may have power to take relevant action to prevent future deaths.
Such reports are known as Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) reports.
Recipients of a PFD report must provide a written response in 56 days.
All reports and responses must be sent to the Coroner who will forward to the Chief Coroner as per our policy. In most cases the Chief Coroner will publish them on this website.
Regulations 28 and 29, Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 (external link) set out the procedures that apply to PFD reports and responses.
View all Reports to Prevent Future Deaths (PFDs)
Reports and responses can be viewed through the searchable PFD database. Since January 2023, the full text of reports has been published directly on webpages to improve accessibility.
Due to the improved search functionality, categories will no longer be attached to reports when published. More information can be found in the news story: Update on Categorisation of Prevention of Future Death (PFD) Reports.
Publication of reports and responses
There is a presumption that PFD reports and responses will be published by the Chief Coroner to ensure open justice and to promote learning.
The Chief Coroner’s policy on the publication and redaction of reports and responses is available to read (PDF).
The Chief Coroner’s power to publish PFD reports and responses does not affect the power of individual coroners to provide copies of PFD reports and responses in accordance with Regulation 27 of the Regulations. Anyone who wishes to obtain a copy of a PFD report or response in its original form can apply to the coroner area that issued the PFD, and the coroner will consider that request.
Making representations about publication of a report or response
Interested Persons, recipients of PFD reports, or others who consider that their right to private and family life is affected by the content of a report or response may make representations about publication, including:
- the decision to publish;
- whether redactions are needed;
- any specific redactions requested; and
- any other matter that may be relevant to the Chief Coroner’s publication decision.
Representations should be sent to the coroner who issued the report within the 56‑day period (unless an extension is granted). The coroner will forward them to the Chief Coroner with the full publication bundle.
After publication (or confirmation of non‑publication), representations should be sent directly to the Chief Coroner’s Office.
2026 Publication Policy: Summary of key changes
The Chief Coroner has updated the PFD Publication Policy to clarify expectations and ensure a consistent process.
Submitting reports and responses
- Coroners must send the PFD report, all responses received, and any representations about publication as a single package once the 56‑day period (including any extensions) has expired.
- If any responses are outstanding, coroners must still send the documents they have. The Chief Coroner will publish available material and list non‑responders where appropriate.
Extensions
If a coroner grants an extension for a response or representations about publication, they must inform the Chief Coroner’s Office.
Embedded links
The Chief Coroner will not check embedded hyperlinks for sensitive information. Anyone providing a link is responsible for raising any concerns about its publication.
Redactions
Coroners must not redact any documents before sending them. All redactions will be carried out by the Chief Coroner in accordance with the publication policy.
Decisions not to publish
A report or response may not be published where necessary redactions would render it unclear or where risks cannot be mitigated.
A short notice will appear instead, confirming that a copy can be requested from the relevant coroner area under Regulation 27.
Responses that attempt to challenge coronial decisions may also not be published.
Post‑publication representations
If representations are received after publication, documents will remain online while they are considered. Any amendments or removals will be made as soon as reasonably practicable.
Non‑responses
The names of organisations or individuals who do not respond within the statutory timeframe (or any approved extension) may be published on this webpage Non-responses to Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports. Entries are removed once a response is received.
Guidance and templates
The following documents support coroners, Interested Persons and recipients of PFD reports: