Fatal accident inquiry

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A fatal accident inquiry is a Scottish judicial process which investigates and determines the circumstances of some deaths occurring in Scotland. Until 2009, they did not apply to any deaths occurring in other jurisdictions, when the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 extended the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976[1] to service personnel at the discretion of the Chief Coroner or the Secretary of State.[2] The equivalent process in England and Wales is an inquest. A major review of the fatal accident inquiries was undertaken by Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, at the request of the Scottish Government,[3] which resulted in the passing of the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016.[4]

  1. ^ "Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976". Legislation.gov.uk. 13 April 1976. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Section 12 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009". Legislation.gov.uk. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Review of Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation". Scottish Government. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Act2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).