High Court rules coroner discriminatory to Muslims and Jews

THE HIGH COURT has ruled that the policy operated by Mary Hassell, Senior Coroner for Inner North London, is discriminatory. She had ruled that she would hear inquests in the order that deaths were reported to her irrespective of the religion of the deceased.

The High Court noted that the Jewish and Muslim faiths required their followers to be buried on the day they died or as soon as possible afterwards – and ruled that it was wrong for the coroner not to take this into account when scheduling inquests. Ms Hassell must now devise a new policy.

The ruling comes after a number of groups challenged Ms Hassell’s decision on the grounds that it did not take account of the deeply held religious beliefs that were held by parts of the communities in Inner North London. Knowing this was the case but implementing a policy which did not allow for those religious beliefs to be accommodated was, they argued, a case of religious discrimination. It was unlawful in that it breached the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act.

The Coroner’s area of Inner North London covered the London boroughs of Camden, Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets. Those bringing the case pointed out that these boroughs were home to many Muslim and Jewish people, so the discriminatory policy would affect a large number of people.

The High Court ruling was given by Lord Justice Singh, who said, “We hope that, with appropriate advice from others, including the chief coroner, and perhaps after consultation with relevant bodies in the community, the defendant can draft a new policy which meets the needs of all concerned, including protection of the legal rights of all members of the community. We are hopeful that a satisfactory solution can be found in this sensitive area.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has called on Ms Hassell to consider her position. To date there has been no response to the ruling from Ms Hassell.

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