Guidance

Murder or manslaughter of British nationals abroad: organisational roles and responsibilities

Updated 12 February 2026

Applies to England and Wales

This document explains the roles and responsibilities of the UK organisations that support bereaved families when a British national dies by murder or manslaughter abroad. These organisations are the: 

• Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 

• Ministry of Justice (MoJ) 

• National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) 

• Chief Coroner and the coroner service 

See also the FCDO guidance on the support you can get after a murder or manslaughter abroad if the victim is a British person you know.

Introduction

Murder or manslaughter are traumatic wherever they occur. Families bereaved through murder or manslaughter abroad can face additional legal, financial and logistical challenges. This may include difficulties in obtaining information from overseas authorities, navigating a foreign criminal justice system, and arranging repatriation of their loved one.  

When a British person is a victim of murder or manslaughter abroad, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is the government department immediately responsible for supporting bereaved families. We: 

• provide information about local practices and procedures where the death occurred 

• signpost or make referrals to other support services in the UK and abroad 

Each case is considered individually.

Jurisdiction

The legal responsibility and authority (the jurisdiction) for the investigation into the circumstances of the death is most likely to remain in the country where the death occurred. The FCDO’s role does not extend to any investigative activity, and we cannot interfere in another country’s investigative or judicial processes. The FCDO will register UK interests and request updates from the foreign competent authority where appropriate and possible. The foreign country is under no obligation to provide the information requested. 

In most cases there is little involvement from, or role for, England and Wales police forces or coroners. A coronial investigation will only take place if the body is repatriated to England and Wales and reported to the coroner, and where the death is violent, unnatural, or of unknown cause.

Purpose of the document

The purpose of this document is to set out how the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) (on behalf of Police forces in England and Wales) - the ‘organisations’ - will coordinate delivery of their respective functions and responsibilities in relation to deaths resulting from murder or manslaughter of a British national whilst abroad, and, where appropriate, how those functions and responsibilities align with the functions and responsibilities of coroners. Not all organisations will play a role in every case. 

Whilst each case is considered individually based on the circumstances, this document seeks to establish a consistent level of service to bereaved families and promote public confidence in the response to deaths abroad when they are confirmed by the foreign competent authority to be murder or manslaughter. 

This document is not legally binding.

Scope

Only deaths of British nationals overseas which are confirmed as being investigated as a murder or manslaughter by the relevant foreign competent authority are in scope. 

Deaths due to terrorist incidents are out of scope as alternative agreed protocols are in place.

Aims of the document

This document aims to:

• demonstrate commitment from the organisations to supporting families bereaved by murder or manslaughter abroad
• provide clarity and consistency to officials
• set out the roles and responsibilities of the organisations and coroners, within their appropriate statutory and other remits
• foster and maintain strong relationships and understanding between the organisations to facilitate delivery of support
• ensure regular review of support provision to improve the offer and navigate challenges which arise.

Responsibilities of the organisations 

The organisations recognise that each has its own responsibility and independence, and that coroners are independent judges.  

This document takes into account relevant legislation, and the respective roles and responsibilities of all involved (more detail regarding their roles and responsibilities can be found in Annexes 1 to 4). 

The nature of the involvement of each organisation depends on the circumstances of the death and the jurisdiction where the death has occurred. Each case needs to be considered on an individual basis. However, the organisations agree that for each case, as far as is practical, they will each: 

• Clarify their organisation’s respective roles and responsibilities, including clarity on limitations. 

• Make arrangements for regularly communicating with the bereaved families. 

• Consult with the families on how and when information or other support will be provided and by whom. 

• Signpost bereaved families to appropriate professional services as soon as possible, including, where appropriate, interpreters and lawyers. 

• Communicate relevant information to each other and to coroners, including the status of the foreign authority’s investigation and any investigation within England and Wales. 

• Recognise the importance of working in a joined-up way when communicating with families, to build trust in the support system and to ease the transition process when one or more organisations end their support. 

• Provide clear and appropriate information to families at the appropriate time.  

Appropriate information can include: 

• options regarding repatriation of the deceased 

• progress of any ongoing criminal investigation abroad 

• details that help the family to receive updates directly from foreign authorities or through a lawyer, if possible or appropriate. 

How we maintain and improve this document 

The implementation of the principles set out above will be monitored continually by each organisation to ensure that it is effective. The organisations recognise the importance of consulting representatives of bereaved families and relevant organisations as part of any review process undertaken in order to identify ways to further improve the support provided to bereaved families, whether through updates to this document or otherwise. 

One forum for review is the biannual meetings chaired by the FCDO. Invitees include (but are not limited to) representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office, the Devolved Governments, UK police, the Chief Coroner, the Homicide Service, Support for Families Bereaved by Crime, Victim Support Northern Ireland, the Victims’ Commissioner’s Office, victims’ organisations and charities, funeral directors, travel companies, among others. These meetings act as a dedicated forum for relevant organisations to discuss ways to further improve the support provided to bereaved families. The FCDO also attends other relevant meetings chaired by other stakeholders. 

The organisations and the Chief Coroner have agreed to formally review this document every five years or more frequently if the need arises.

Signed by:

• Sarah Taylor, Director Consular and Crisis Directorate, on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, on 10 February 2026 
• Rachel Coffey, Deputy Director Victims and Witnesses Commissioning and Implementation Unit, on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, on 10 February 2026 
• Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rob Griffin, on behalf of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, on 10 February 2026 

The coroner annex was approved by HHJ Alexia Durran, The Chief Coroner of England and Wales, on 10 February 2026.