These Rules amend the Coroners Rules 1984 in two main respects. First, rule 4 provides for authorised advocates (as defined in section 119(1) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990) to be entitled to examine witnesses at an inquest on behalf of interested persons rather than only barristers and solicitors. Secondly, rules 9, 11 and 18 make provision in respect of an inquest which is resumed following an adjournment for a public inquiry under section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988 (as inserted by section 71 of the Access to Justice Act 1999). In particular, rule 11 makes provision for admitting the findings of the public inquiry as documentary evidence at the resumed inquest.

The remaining rules amend statutory references to take account of the consolidation of the legislation on coroners in the Coroners Act 1988. Rule 15 takes account of the amendment made by section 119(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33).