Case No: AC-2024-LON-001313The Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London WC2A 2LL
BEFORE:
LORD JUSTICE LEWIS
MRS JUSTICE YIP
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BETWEEN:
HM SENIOR CORONER FOR WEST YORKSHIRE (EAST)
Claimant
- and -
JENNIFER SUSAN RAMSDEN
Defendant
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MISS S JONES (instructed by Wakefield Council Legal Services)
THE DEFENDANT did not appear and was not represented.
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APPROVED JUDGMENT
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LORD JUSTICE LEWIS: This is an application by the Senior Coroner for West Yorkshire for an order under section 13 of the Coroners Act 1988 to quash an inquest into the death of Jennifer Susan Ramsden.
The coroner today has been represented by Miss Susan Jones, and we are extremely grateful to her for taking us through the relevant material. Mrs Ramsden's son, Mr Robert Ramsden, has been dealing with matters on behalf of the family of the late Mrs Ramsden and he has indicated that he is content with the making of an order setting aside the inquest in this case.
The background is that an inquest was originally held and it found that Mrs Ramsden had died of natural causes. Since then, new medical evidence has come to light indicating that mesothelioma may have contributed to Mrs Ramsden's death. In the light of that new evidence, and with the fiat of the Attorney General, the senior coroner has applied to have the inquest quashed and a fresh inquest ordered. As I have indicated, Mr Robert Ramsden, the son, who really speaks for the family in this matter, has been served with a claim form and he has indicated that he agrees with the proposed order.
There is also a need to extend the time for service of the claim form. There is no indication that the Ramsden family object to that and, indeed, it is implicit in the fact that they want the proposed order that they want the extension of time.
In those circumstances, we have considered the words of section 13 of the 1980 Act carefully. We are satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of justice to quash the inquest and order a new inquest.
If my Lady agrees, we will make an order in the terms set out, which will provide for time for service of the claim form to be extended to 24 April 2024, for the inquisition dated 29 June 2023 in relation to Jennifer Susan Ramsden to be quashed and for a new inquest to be held into the death of Jennifer Susan Ramsden by a senior coroner, area coroner or an assistant coroner in the coroner's area.
MRS JUSTICE YIP: I agree.
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