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The Penrose Inquiry investigated into the deaths of Eileen O'Hara and the Reverend David Black, a fatal accident which had been sought in a previous judicial review.

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R v HM Coroner for the Western District of Somerset ex parte Middleton considered the inquest investigation required when Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to life) is engaged.

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A Fundamental Review of Death Certification and Investigation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland took place in the wake of the Shipman scandal, the deaths caused by Beverley Allitt, and the deaths of "heart babies" at Bristol Royal Infirmary. It considered death certification and the coroner's jurisdiction, identified weaknesses in the death certification process, and made recommendations.

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The Select Committee on Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform reported that a proposal for civil registration reform was not an appropriate subject for a regulatory reform order.

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The Coroners (Amendment) Rules 1980 first provided Coroners with the power to report matters to a person or authority who is able to take action to prevent the recurrence of similar fatalities.

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The Coroners Act 1887 outlined the circumstances in which an inquest was required, and included when there was reasonable cause to suspect a violent or an unnatural death, or when a sudden death occurs from an unknown cause.

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The Coroners Act 1887 established the four questions that continue to be answered by inquests today: "who the deceased was, and how, when, and where the deceased came by his death".

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The Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959 provided that the coroner may hold an inquest in several circumstances, including where there has been an unexpected or unexplained death, or a death in suspicious circumstances. An inquest could be held without a jury but a jury was required when "the death occurred in circumstances the continuance or possible recurrence of which is prejudicial to the health or safety of the public or any section of the public."

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Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984 provided that if a Coroner believed that action should be taken to prevent the recurrence of fatalities similar to that in respect of which the inquest was occurring, they could report matters to a person or authority who is able to take action.

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The House of Commons Library Briefing Paper 'The Office of the Chief Coroner' was published.

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Wide-scale reforms to the coronial system were introduced in England and Wales, and included the introduction of the Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013.

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The Coroners (Inquests) Rules 2013 provided that determination can be given with a variety of possible short conclusions, an open verdict and/or can comprise a brief narrative conclusion expressed in concise and ordinary language so as to indicate how the deceased came by their death.

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Section 24 of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 provided that a doctor must state the cause of death and such other medical information as required.

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The Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 outlined several circumstances where it is mandatory to hold a fatal accident inquiry, including when the death is sudden, suspicious, or unexplained, if it is in the public interest, or if the death occurred in circumstances that give rise to public concern.

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The Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 provided that when a fatal accident inquiry is to be held, a procurator fiscal must investigate the circumstances of a death and arrange for the inquiry to be conduct by a Sheriff.

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The Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 outlined that the purpose or role of a fatal accident inquiry is not to establish civil or criminal liability.

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Under the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976, if the Lord Advocate thought it was in the public interest for an inquiry to be held on the ground that a death was sudden, suspicious or unexplained, or it had occurred in circumstances such as to give rise to serious public concern, a fatal accident inquiry was to be held.

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The Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 provided for the registration of the death and cause of death of every person dying in England or Wales by the registrar of births and deaths for the sub-district in which the death occurred.

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The Coroners Act 1988 provided that the coroner had a power to request a post-mortem without an inquest taking place, other than in cases of a violent or unnatural death, or a death in prison.

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The Coroners Act 1988 provided that within five days of the completion of the inquest, the coroner was obliged to send to the registrar of deaths a certificate setting out information concerning death, the particulars of death required by the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 and specify the time and place at which the inquest was held.

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