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Birmingham and Solihull coroner Aidan Cotter hits out at inquest delays
BEREAVED families are being denied closure because they are having to wait too long for inquests to be completed, Birmingham and Solihull coroner Aidan Cotter said today.
Mr Cotter called for new legislation to ensure inquests were held within a year of a person's death.
He said lengthy delays were often because inquests could not be held until other investigations had been carried out.
Mr Cotter also blamed lawyers for dragging out cases, and claimed some even withheld crucial information to protect their clients' interests.
He said that it would prove helpful to other investigations if inquests were held within a year of someone's death.
The average time between a person's death and the conclusion of the inquest is estimated to be 23 weeks, according to government figures.
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