High Court advice to coroners when litigation is pending


Matthews v Collins (t/a Herbert Collins and Sons) and others [2013] EWHC 2952 (QB)

A recent case has raised some important issues for coroners dealing with deaths caused by industrial diseases. A High Court judge has advised that coroners should explain to the family of the deceased that if a claim was pending in respect of the death, they should consult a solicitor before agreeing to the disposal of histological samples. The guidance also indicated that it was good practice for solicitors to advise both their clients and the relevant coroner’s office, when instructed in such cases, that any samples should be retained until confirmation was received that they were not required for the purposes of the claim.