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Chief coroner issues new religious guidance following High Court decision against Mary Hassell

It specifies that taking into account religious beliefs should include considering whether a particular case should be “treated as a matter of urgency...for religious...reasons”.

May 17, 2018 13:19
St Pancras coroner's court.JPG
1 min read

The Chief Coroner of England and Wales has released new guidance for deaths, in which it is made clear that “proper respect should be given to representations based on religious belief”.

Guidance No 28, issued today by Judge Mark Lucraft QC, is titled: “Report of death to the Coroner - decision making and expedited decisions”.

It specifies that taking into account religious beliefs should include considering whether a particular case should be “treated as a matter of urgency...for religious...reasons”.

The guidance has been released following the High Court decision last month in the judicial review case of senior coroner Mary Hassell.