A senior coroner has called for new legislation to make sure inquests are held within a year of a person's death.
A senior coroner has called for new legislation to make sure inquests are held within a year of a person's death.
Aidan Cotter, coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, told the BBC bereaved families were being denied closure.
Aidan Cotter, coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, told the BBC bereaved families were being denied closure.
This, he said, was because the hearings could not be held until other investigations had been carried out.
This, he said, was because the hearings 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.
Mr Cotter also blamed lawyers for dragging out cases, and claimed some even withheld crucial information to protect their clients' interests.
His comments come after a recent inquest into the death of a baby boy, which did not take place until nine years after he died.
His comments come after a recent inquest into the death of a baby boy, which did not take place until nine years after he died.
Mr Cotter also said that if inquests were held within a year of someone's death, it would prove helpful to other investigations.
Mr Cotter also said that if inquests were held within a year of someone's death, it would prove helpful to other investigations.
Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that the average length of time between someone's death being reported and their inquest being held is getting longer.
Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that the average length of time between someone's death being reported and their inquest being held is getting longer.
That figure currently stands at nearly six months. However, BBC Correspondent Phil Mackie said cases which take four or five times as long are becoming increasingly common.
That figure currently stands at nearly six months. However, BBC Correspondent Phil Mackie said cases which take four or five times as long are becoming increasingly common.
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