Fees for Coroner's Reports

• we advise that providing basic medical information is your duty
• a more detailed report may be asked for and this would attract a fee

Working within an established legal framework it is the principal statutory duty of Coroners to investigate deaths which are reported to them and which appear to be due to violence, or are unnatural, or are sudden and of unknown cause, or which occur in legal custody.

They are entitled to request medical information that is relevant and necessary to their enquiries.  

The GMC sets out clearly in Good Medical Practice that 'You must assist the coroner or procurator fiscal in an inquest or inquiry into a patient's death by responding to their enquiries and by offering all relevant information. You are entitled to remain silent only when your evidence may lead to criminal proceedings being taken against you.'

Practices often enquire as to whether they may charge a fee for a coroner's report or request for information.

Fees are payable under section 24(2) of the Coroners Act 1988 which allows local authorities to make a schedule of fees, allowances and disbursements which may be paid by the coroner. 

The BMA's forensic medicine committee used to take part in the annual negotiations to set these fees. For example in June  2005, the BMA suggested a fee of £60.50 for a full written clinical report without examination provided at the request of the coroner, and a fee of £30 for an extract from the medical records.  This fee was applicable to the full report whether or not a coroner's inquest was held.

However, the BMA ceased negotiating these fees at a national level from 31 March 2008.

It remains the legal responsibility of local authorities to set a schedule of fees and most authorities will wish to agree new fees. Doctors are advised to agree fees for this work with their local authority.

GPs are obliged to respect the confidentiality of their patient even after death, but they are permitted to breach that confidentiality by releasing sufficient data to allow the coroner to follow the correct legal procedures.

CED 11/08/08