All complaints about coroners are dealt with by the Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office (JCIO) – previously known as the Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC). Complaints must be filed with the JCIO within 3 months of the date of the matter you wish to complain about.
Complaints about the coroner’s verdict
If the family wish to challenge the decision of the coroner – i.e. the verdict now known as the conclusion – then they can seek Judicial Review of the decision. A coroner cannot themselves amend a decision once the conclusion has been given. Unfortunately, to seek Judicial Review can be expensive as it may require the assistance of a solicitor. There are also time limits at various stages of the procedure, so families are advised to act as soon as possible if they wish to pursue a Judicial Review.
The Appeals part of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 was not enacted and therefore there really are limited ways that a family can challenge a coroner’s decision. However, some CRY families have had success in verdicts overturned – see the Inquests section.
Complaints about the coroner’s personal conduct
If you are unhappy with a coroner’s personal conduct you should complain to the Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office (JCIO). Examples of possible personal misconduct are:
- using insulting, racist or sexist language in court;
- failing to fulfill judicial duties;
- inappropriate behaviour outside the court, such as a coroner using his or her judicial title for personal advantage or preferential treatment.
There is no charge for complaining to the JCIO and it can be done online via the JCIO website: http://judicialconduct.judiciary.gov.uk/index.htm
Alternatively, you can download the JCIO complaints form and send it to the JCIO by fax, post or email. You can also complain by letter or email.
The JCIO’s contact details are:
- Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office 81 – 82 Queens Building, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand London, WC2A 2LL
- Email: inbox@jcio.gsi.gov.uk
- Fax: 0207 073 4725
If you wish to complain about the personal conduct of a deputy coroner or assistant deputy coroner you should write to the coroner whom the deputy or assistant deputy supports. If you think that the coroner’s handling of a complaint about his or her deputy or assistant deputy amounts to personal misconduct of the coroner then you can refer the matter to the JCIO. However, the JCIO cannot deal with the actual complaint against the deputy or assistant deputy coroner.
Further information about complaints about coroners can be found on the JCIO website: http://judicialconduct.judiciary.gov.uk/index.htm
If you believe the service you have received falls short of the standards set out in this Charter or wish to complain about the way an investigation was handled or about the conduct of coroners’ officers, you should first write to the coroner. You should copy your letter to the local council which funds the service. The coroner’s office will be able to advise you of the relevant local authority, if you are unsure of this.
If dissatisfied with the local council’s response, the next step is to complain direct to the local authority (the Local Government Ombudsman) at www.lgo.org.uk/making-a-complaint, or by calling 0300 061 0614 or 0845 602 1983. Alternatively a complaint may be made in writing to: The Local Government Ombudsman, PO Box 4771, Coventry CV4 0EH.
There is no charge to complain about the standard of service from a coroner’s office.
