Approved training course for inquests
Inquest training course criteria and application guidance
Applies to England and Wales
Background
The Government has introduced the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, into Parliament.
The Bill will introduce changes, including:
- a new professional and legal duty of candour on public officials to act with honesty and integrity at all times;
- a new criminal offence for misleading the public; and
- promoting parity of arms, including by providing non-means tested legal help and legally aided advocacy at inquests where a public authority is an interested person.
New inquest category of law
The Legal Aid Agency has launched a new Inquest category of law in response to the introduction of the Bill. Further information on how to apply for this category can be found below.
Providers with a contract in this category will be able to undertake work on inquests.
Providers without the inquest contract will still be able to do this work where it falls in their category of law. For example, a mental health provider will be able to do work on an inquest about the death of an individual in mental health detention.
Approved training course for supervisors
One of the requirements for the new Inquest Category of Law is to employ a part-time equivalent supervisor in that Category. The supervisor is required to meet a legal competence standard.
There are two different routes available to meet the legal competence standard:
-
Experience in carrying out a certain number of inquest cases
-
Attendance at an inquest training course that has been approved by the LAA.
Training Course Applications
Following the closure of a survey which asked for views on the criteria for the approved training course, the LAA is now inviting training providers to submit courses to the LAA for approval.
Applications Process
The outlines the criteria a training course must meet. Training providers who wish to submit a course to the LAA must complete an and provide supporting evidence.
Guidance on how to complete an Approved Training Course Application and submit this to the LAA for approval can be found in the . Details of approved training courses will then be published on this page.
Further information
The Introduction of Inquest Category of Law - GOV.UK provides further details on how to apply for the Inquest Category of law.