Following our previous updates on the statutory reforms around the Medical Examiner Service, we are now able to provide more information on when we are expecting these reforms to come into effect. 

Draft legislation published on 14 December 2023 set out the reforms that were planned from April 2024.

On 15 April 2024, a parliamentary statement confirmed that, as this is the most significant set of reforms to death certification in 70 years, additional time is now being given to prepare.

The changes will therefore be introduced from 9 September 2024, meaning independent scrutiny by a medical examiner will become a statutory requirement prior to the registration of all non-coronial deaths in England and Wales from this date.