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Coroner’s Reports: Clarification on Fees and Allowances for GPs

Under The Coroners Allowances, Fees and Expenses Regulations 2013, which came into force on 25th July 2013, GPs cannot charge for providing a Coroner’s Report.

Witness Statements and Reports

When a GP provides a written report or statement for the Coroner, they are considered a witness of fact, meaning they are supplying factual information rather than an expert opinion. There is no fee payable to the GP for the preparation of this statement.

Attendance at an Inquest

If a GP is required to attend an inquest to give evidence as a witness of fact, they may claim an allowance for their time. The current fees, as set by the 2013 regulations, are:

  • £83.50 for attendance up to and including 2 hours.
  • £117 for attendance of more than 2 hours, up to and including 4 hours.

This allowance is intended to compensate for time spent attending the inquest but does not apply to the preparation of written reports. Travel expenses may also be reimbursed.

If a GP is requested to give evidence as an expert witness, this falls outside the scope of the regulations, and they may negotiate a separate fee.

For further information on coroner-related matters, please refer to the Ministry of Justice guidance or contact your local coroner’s office.

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