The Ministry of Justice has not carried out an assessment on any factors affecting the level of complaints made to the Bar Standards Board about barristers. The regulators of the legal profession in England and Wales, including the Bar Standards Board, are independent of Government.<\/p>
<\/p>
There are two routes for complaints about barristers in England and Wales - the Legal Ombudsman and the Bar Standard Board. The Legal Ombudsman deals with complaints about the service provided to the complainant by an authorised person, while the Bar Standards Board deals with complaints where a barrister is alleged to be in breach of the Bar Standards Board\u2019s codes of conduct. The Bar Standards Board publishes data on its complaints in its Regulatory Decision-making Annual Report.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T09:01:46.14Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Bar Standards Board: Complaints"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of changes in the level of complaints made to the Bar Standards Board by criminal law barristers over the last three years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4790", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Apsana Begum"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Poplar and Limehouse"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Apsana Begum"} ], "uin" : "194951"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653354", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653354/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
So far c.5,400 places have been delivered. This includes two new c.1,700 place prisons, HMP Five Wells, which opened last year, and HMP Fosse Way, which accepted its first prisoners at the end of May. At least 6,400 prison places are anticipated to be delivered by the end of May 2024, rising to over 8,000 by the end of May 2025, including places already delivered to date. In addition to these places, we have extended the lease at HMP Dartmoor, maintaining 680 places from December 2023.<\/p>
Our prison builds are complex capital projects, which are being delivered within challenging market conditions. Securing planning permission is a significant factor in timelines; we have submitted planning appeals following refusal of three applications for sites in Lancashire, Leicestershire, and Buckinghamshire and await decisions. Given the planning appeals are ongoing and subject to a recovered decision by DLUHC, it would not be appropriate to comment further. If planning is successful, these prisons would open as soon as possible to meet the pressing demand on prison places.<\/p>
We will push for earlier delivery of places wherever possible, and we are continuing to press ahead with further options to delivery capacity across the estate.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3969", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Hinds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Hampshire"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Hinds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-20T12:28:16.683Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prison Accommodation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his timeline is for delivering the 20,000 additional modern prison places announced by his Department on 18 February 2022.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1409", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "East Londonderry"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Gregory Campbell"} ], "uin" : "194333"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653383", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653383/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Ministry of Justice publishes Coroner Statistics<\/a> each May covering the preceding calendar year. The information is collated from data provided by each of the 81 coroner areas across England and Wales.<\/p> <\/p> Data from the published statistics is set out in the table below, across all coroner areas for each of the last five years, on the total number of inquests recorded, the average length of inquests, the total number of inquests open for more than two years, and the total number of inquests suspended and not resumed. The requested information for inquests adjourned for longer than two years in England, London and Barnet only is not collated as part of the annual statistics. Table CSV<\/a> included in the annual publication provides further information for adjourned inquests by coroner area.<\/p> The published statistics also record the average length of an inquest in individual coroner areas and Barnet is part of the North London Coroner area with Brent, Harrow, Haringey and Enfield. Table 13 collates this information by region.<\/p> <\/p> The Ministry of Justice does not have a target for the length of time an inquest should take. Coroners are independent judicial office holders and the way they manage their caseload is a matter for them. Following the Covid-19 pandemic the Chief Coroner issued guidance<\/a> to coroners on how their services can best recover and tackle backlogs that accumulated in some areas.<\/p> <\/p> Regulation 26 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 require coroners to notify the Chief Coroner of any investigation which has not been completed or discontinued within a year of the death being reported to them, and provide reasons for this. They must also notify the Chief Coroner when such investigations are completed or discontinued.<\/p> <\/p>
<\/p><\/td> | 2022<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2021<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2020<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Number of inquests recorded <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 36,273<\/p><\/td> 32,762<\/p><\/td> 31,991<\/p><\/td> 29,969<\/p><\/td> 29,094<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Average length of inquest <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 30 weeks<\/p><\/td> 31 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 26 weeks<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests open for more than 2 years at year end <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1,760<\/p><\/td> 1,366<\/p><\/td> 1,104<\/p><\/td> 601<\/p><\/td> 472<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests suspended due to criminal proceedings and not resumed <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 748<\/p><\/td> 729<\/p><\/td> 599<\/p><\/td> 849<\/p><\/td> 834<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194382"}
, {"_value" : "194383"}
, {"_value" : "194384"}
, {"_value" : "194385"}
, {"_value" : "194390"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T09:48:26.677Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many inquests in coroners\u2019 courts have been opened and adjourned for longer than two years in (a) England, (b) London and (c) Barnet as of 17 July 2023.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "194381"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653384", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653384/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice publishes Coroner Statistics<\/a> each May covering the preceding calendar year. The information is collated from data provided by each of the 81 coroner areas across England and Wales.<\/p> <\/p> Data from the published statistics is set out in the table below, across all coroner areas for each of the last five years, on the total number of inquests recorded, the average length of inquests, the total number of inquests open for more than two years, and the total number of inquests suspended and not resumed. The requested information for inquests adjourned for longer than two years in England, London and Barnet only is not collated as part of the annual statistics. Table CSV<\/a> included in the annual publication provides further information for adjourned inquests by coroner area.<\/p> The published statistics also record the average length of an inquest in individual coroner areas and Barnet is part of the North London Coroner area with Brent, Harrow, Haringey and Enfield. Table 13 collates this information by region.<\/p> <\/p> The Ministry of Justice does not have a target for the length of time an inquest should take. Coroners are independent judicial office holders and the way they manage their caseload is a matter for them. Following the Covid-19 pandemic the Chief Coroner issued guidance<\/a> to coroners on how their services can best recover and tackle backlogs that accumulated in some areas.<\/p> <\/p> Regulation 26 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 require coroners to notify the Chief Coroner of any investigation which has not been completed or discontinued within a year of the death being reported to them, and provide reasons for this. They must also notify the Chief Coroner when such investigations are completed or discontinued.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p><\/td> 2022<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2021<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2020<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Number of inquests recorded <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 36,273<\/p><\/td> 32,762<\/p><\/td> 31,991<\/p><\/td> 29,969<\/p><\/td> 29,094<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Average length of inquest <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 30 weeks<\/p><\/td> 31 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 26 weeks<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests open for more than 2 years at year end <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1,760<\/p><\/td> 1,366<\/p><\/td> 1,104<\/p><\/td> 601<\/p><\/td> 472<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests suspended due to criminal proceedings and not resumed <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 748<\/p><\/td> 729<\/p><\/td> 599<\/p><\/td> 849<\/p><\/td> 834<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194381"}
, {"_value" : "194383"}
, {"_value" : "194384"}
, {"_value" : "194385"}
, {"_value" : "194390"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T09:48:26.753Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many inquests have remained open for more than two years in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "194382"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653385", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653385/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice publishes Coroner Statistics<\/a> each May covering the preceding calendar year. The information is collated from data provided by each of the 81 coroner areas across England and Wales.<\/p> <\/p> Data from the published statistics is set out in the table below, across all coroner areas for each of the last five years, on the total number of inquests recorded, the average length of inquests, the total number of inquests open for more than two years, and the total number of inquests suspended and not resumed. The requested information for inquests adjourned for longer than two years in England, London and Barnet only is not collated as part of the annual statistics. Table CSV<\/a> included in the annual publication provides further information for adjourned inquests by coroner area.<\/p> The published statistics also record the average length of an inquest in individual coroner areas and Barnet is part of the North London Coroner area with Brent, Harrow, Haringey and Enfield. Table 13 collates this information by region.<\/p> <\/p> The Ministry of Justice does not have a target for the length of time an inquest should take. Coroners are independent judicial office holders and the way they manage their caseload is a matter for them. Following the Covid-19 pandemic the Chief Coroner issued guidance<\/a> to coroners on how their services can best recover and tackle backlogs that accumulated in some areas.<\/p> <\/p> Regulation 26 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 require coroners to notify the Chief Coroner of any investigation which has not been completed or discontinued within a year of the death being reported to them, and provide reasons for this. They must also notify the Chief Coroner when such investigations are completed or discontinued.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p><\/td> 2022<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2021<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2020<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Number of inquests recorded <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 36,273<\/p><\/td> 32,762<\/p><\/td> 31,991<\/p><\/td> 29,969<\/p><\/td> 29,094<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Average length of inquest <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 30 weeks<\/p><\/td> 31 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 26 weeks<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests open for more than 2 years at year end <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1,760<\/p><\/td> 1,366<\/p><\/td> 1,104<\/p><\/td> 601<\/p><\/td> 472<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests suspended due to criminal proceedings and not resumed <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 748<\/p><\/td> 729<\/p><\/td> 599<\/p><\/td> 849<\/p><\/td> 834<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194381"}
, {"_value" : "194382"}
, {"_value" : "194384"}
, {"_value" : "194385"}
, {"_value" : "194390"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T09:48:26.817Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what is the average length of time from an inquest being opened to it being concluded in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "194383"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653386", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653386/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice publishes Coroner Statistics<\/a> each May covering the preceding calendar year. The information is collated from data provided by each of the 81 coroner areas across England and Wales.<\/p> <\/p> Data from the published statistics is set out in the table below, across all coroner areas for each of the last five years, on the total number of inquests recorded, the average length of inquests, the total number of inquests open for more than two years, and the total number of inquests suspended and not resumed. The requested information for inquests adjourned for longer than two years in England, London and Barnet only is not collated as part of the annual statistics. Table CSV<\/a> included in the annual publication provides further information for adjourned inquests by coroner area.<\/p> The published statistics also record the average length of an inquest in individual coroner areas and Barnet is part of the North London Coroner area with Brent, Harrow, Haringey and Enfield. Table 13 collates this information by region.<\/p> <\/p> The Ministry of Justice does not have a target for the length of time an inquest should take. Coroners are independent judicial office holders and the way they manage their caseload is a matter for them. Following the Covid-19 pandemic the Chief Coroner issued guidance<\/a> to coroners on how their services can best recover and tackle backlogs that accumulated in some areas.<\/p> <\/p> Regulation 26 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 require coroners to notify the Chief Coroner of any investigation which has not been completed or discontinued within a year of the death being reported to them, and provide reasons for this. They must also notify the Chief Coroner when such investigations are completed or discontinued.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p><\/td> 2022<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2021<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2020<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Number of inquests recorded <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 36,273<\/p><\/td> 32,762<\/p><\/td> 31,991<\/p><\/td> 29,969<\/p><\/td> 29,094<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Average length of inquest <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 30 weeks<\/p><\/td> 31 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 26 weeks<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests open for more than 2 years at year end <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1,760<\/p><\/td> 1,366<\/p><\/td> 1,104<\/p><\/td> 601<\/p><\/td> 472<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests suspended due to criminal proceedings and not resumed <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 748<\/p><\/td> 729<\/p><\/td> 599<\/p><\/td> 849<\/p><\/td> 834<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194381"}
, {"_value" : "194382"}
, {"_value" : "194383"}
, {"_value" : "194385"}
, {"_value" : "194390"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T09:48:26.877Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what is the average length of time from an inquest being opened to it being concluded in each region in England.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "194384"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653387", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653387/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Justice publishes Coroner Statistics<\/a> each May covering the preceding calendar year. The information is collated from data provided by each of the 81 coroner areas across England and Wales.<\/p> <\/p> Data from the published statistics is set out in the table below, across all coroner areas for each of the last five years, on the total number of inquests recorded, the average length of inquests, the total number of inquests open for more than two years, and the total number of inquests suspended and not resumed. The requested information for inquests adjourned for longer than two years in England, London and Barnet only is not collated as part of the annual statistics. Table CSV<\/a> included in the annual publication provides further information for adjourned inquests by coroner area.<\/p> The published statistics also record the average length of an inquest in individual coroner areas and Barnet is part of the North London Coroner area with Brent, Harrow, Haringey and Enfield. Table 13 collates this information by region.<\/p> <\/p> The Ministry of Justice does not have a target for the length of time an inquest should take. Coroners are independent judicial office holders and the way they manage their caseload is a matter for them. Following the Covid-19 pandemic the Chief Coroner issued guidance<\/a> to coroners on how their services can best recover and tackle backlogs that accumulated in some areas.<\/p> <\/p> Regulation 26 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 require coroners to notify the Chief Coroner of any investigation which has not been completed or discontinued within a year of the death being reported to them, and provide reasons for this. They must also notify the Chief Coroner when such investigations are completed or discontinued.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p><\/td> 2022<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2021<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2020<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2019<\/strong><\/p><\/td> 2018<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr> Number of inquests recorded <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 36,273<\/p><\/td> 32,762<\/p><\/td> 31,991<\/p><\/td> 29,969<\/p><\/td> 29,094<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Average length of inquest <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 30 weeks<\/p><\/td> 31 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 27 weeks<\/p><\/td> 26 weeks<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests open for more than 2 years at year end <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 1,760<\/p><\/td> 1,366<\/p><\/td> 1,104<\/p><\/td> 601<\/p><\/td> 472<\/p><\/td><\/tr> Inquests suspended due to criminal proceedings and not resumed <\/strong><\/p><\/td> 748<\/p><\/td> 729<\/p><\/td> 599<\/p><\/td> 849<\/p><\/td> 834<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "194381"}
, {"_value" : "194382"}
, {"_value" : "194383"}
, {"_value" : "194384"}
, {"_value" : "194390"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T09:48:26.927Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has a target for the length of time an inquest should take from its opening to its conclusion.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "194385"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653388", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653388/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Whilst the Ministry of Justice is responsible for coroner law and policy, it does not have operational responsibility for coroner services which are a local service, funded and administered by individual local authorities. Local authorities\u2019 independence from central Government means that they are responsible for managing their budgets in line with local priorities. This is appropriate as central Government cannot predict exactly what the cost of a local service will be.<\/p> <\/p><\/td> Total expenditure (employers\u2019 costs and running costs) (£000)<\/p><\/td> Expenditure net of fees and other service income (£000)<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021-2022<\/p><\/td> 173,000<\/p><\/td> 123,685<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020-2021<\/p><\/td> 166,376<\/p><\/td> 123,453<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019-2020<\/p><\/td> 149,450<\/p><\/td> 108,983<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018-2019<\/p><\/td> 131,804<\/p><\/td> 95,341<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017-2018<\/p><\/td> 124,796<\/p><\/td> 92,360<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The Ministry of Justice is unable to estimate spending on coroner services from the Pandemic Recovery Fund.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "194387"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T08:50:01.247Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Expenditure"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of local authority spending on coroner services in each of the last five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "194386"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653389", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653389/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Whilst the Ministry of Justice is responsible for coroner law and policy, it does not have operational responsibility for coroner services which are a local service, funded and administered by individual local authorities. Local authorities\u2019 independence from central Government means that they are responsible for managing their budgets in line with local priorities. This is appropriate as central Government cannot predict exactly what the cost of a local service will be.<\/p> <\/p><\/td> Total expenditure (employers\u2019 costs and running costs) (£000)<\/p><\/td> Expenditure net of fees and other service income (£000)<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2021-2022<\/p><\/td> 173,000<\/p><\/td> 123,685<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2020-2021<\/p><\/td> 166,376<\/p><\/td> 123,453<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2019-2020<\/p><\/td> 149,450<\/p><\/td> 108,983<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2018-2019<\/p><\/td> 131,804<\/p><\/td> 95,341<\/p><\/td><\/tr> 2017-2018<\/p><\/td> 124,796<\/p><\/td> 92,360<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> The Ministry of Justice is unable to estimate spending on coroner services from the Pandemic Recovery Fund.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "194386"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T08:50:01.307Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Expenditure"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of the Pandemic Recovery Fund for local authorities that has been spent on coroners\u2019 services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
], "uin" : "194387"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653391", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Justice"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1653391/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The shortage of pathologists to undertake coronial post-mortem examinations is a long-standing and cross-cutting issue.<\/p> I am concerned that progress should be made to address the shortage as soon as practicable and so am engaging with relevant Ministerial colleagues to identify and implement urgent action to address the complex underlying issues.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4004", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Freer"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Finchley and Golders Green"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mike Freer"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-07-25T08:50:52.77Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2023-07-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Coroners: Pathology"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the availability of pathologist\u2019s available to assist in coroners\u2019 services.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4006", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord"}
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, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Hendon"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Matthew Offord"}
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