Chief coroner of England and Wales to be appointed

The first chief coroner of England and Wales - tasked with setting new guidelines for coroners - will be appointed later.

The coalition government had decided to scrap the role - created by Labour in 2009 - but reinstated it in November.

That followed opposition from the Royal British Legion which said the post was needed to improve the handling of inquiries into military deaths.

It is thought that Judge Peter Thornton QC will take up the post.

He has worked as a senior circuit judge at the Old Bailey since 2007.

Some relatives of military personnel killed on duty have complained about long delays - sometimes lasting several years - before inquests take place.

The Legion argued that. without a chief coroner, there would be less impetus to speed the process up.

Announcing the U-turn in November, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said he had "listened and reflected on the concerns" raised and was "prepared to have one last try to meet those arguments" by appointing a chief coroner.

The government plans to ensure coroners are better trained and equipped to deal with military cases.

But Mr Clarke said existing procedures for challenging an inquest decision would continue, thus avoiding "the need for expensive new appeal rights".

Appeals argument

Prime Minister David Cameron said he did not want a system which would extend the appeal process and could lead to large numbers of cases being referred to the chief coroner for a second verdict.

The Royal British Legion welcomed the new post but said it would continue to campaign for the chief coroner to be given the power to consider appeals.

The office of the chief coroner of England and Wales was established in 2009 under Labour to head a new national coroner service, reporting to the Lord Chancellor.

The power to hear appeals was originally set out in legislation.

The position was created because of concerns the service provided by coroners was inconsistent - but no-one was appointed to the role.

The government initially decided to scrap it to save money but later rowed back while warning that most of its powers would be transferred elsewhere, including to the Lord Chief Justice.

As well as introducing new national standards, the chief coroner will also be asked to try to improve the way bereaved families are dealt with.

source: bbc.co.uk