PART 1Introduction

Citation and commencement1

These Rules may be cited as the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013 and shall come into force on 25th July 2013.

Interpretation2

1

In these Rules—

  • “the 2009 Act” means the Coroners and Justice Act 2009;

  • “bank holiday” means a day designated as a bank holiday in England and Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 19712;

  • “copy” means in relation to a document, anything on to which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly;

  • “coroner” means—

    1. a

      a senior coroner, area coroner or assistant coroner;

    2. b

      the Chief Coroner when conducting an inquest; or

    3. c

      a judge, former judge or former coroner conducting an inquest in accordance with Schedule 10 to the 2009 Act;

  • “document” means any medium in which information of any description is recorded or stored;

  • “working day” means a day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, a bank holiday, Christmas Day or Good Friday.

2

All references to section and schedule provisions in these Rules are references to provisions in the 2009 Act, unless a rule specifically states otherwise.

3

Any reference to a Form in these Rules is a reference to a Form in the Schedule to these Rules.

Application to existing inquests3

1

These Rules apply to any inquest which has not been completed before 25th July 2013.

2

Any direction, time limit, adjournment or other decision made by the coroner in relation to an inquest made before 25th July 2013 shall stand.