Policy background Coroner’s Courts Power to conduct non-contentious inquests in writing
Each year, circa 30,000 inquests are held in England and Wales, and in a significant number of these cases, those most likely to attend (the bereaved family) are content not to attend. In practice, many hearings are held in a completely empty courtroom, with the coroner conducting the hearing to no-one (other than a recording device). This provision will give coroners the power to determine when an inquest can be held without a hearing, which could be where there is no practical need or public interest to do so, and in turn free up physical space and resources for inquests which do need a hearing. While a significant number of inquests are entirely non-contentious, there will still be cases which genuinely need a full public hearing and coroners will be required to continue to hold these.
	Rule 23 of the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013 10 provides for a "documentary" or "Rule 23 inquest" which comes very close to being entirely on paper, but a limited public hearing must still take place (as per Chief Coroner’s Guidance No.29 – Documentary Inquests 11 ). The intention is for the provision to serve as a natural extension of the existing arrangement. The Chief Coroner will provide further guidance to coroners accompanying any law change, ensuring that "paper" inquests are conducted fairly and cases which require a full public hearing continue as required.