By Monidipa Fouzder2021-05-27T08:57:00+01:00
An influential group of MPs has urged the government to ensure – within the next four months – equality of arms between bereaved families and the state at inquests.
In a hard-hitting report published today, the Commons justice select committee says bereaved people should not be put through the ‘difficult and time consuming’ process of trying to secure legal aid where public authorities are legally represented at public expense. It called on Robert Buckland’s department to introduce non-means tested legal aid for families by 1 October.
The committee also said it was 'unacceptable' that bereaved families are not entitled to automatic non-means tested legal aid at inquests into multiple deaths following a public disaster, pointing out that such inquests are complex. An equality of arms was a 'fundamental requirement' to enable families to participate fully.