Coroner may not use flight records
The coroner was charged to investigate four deaths in an helicopter accident. The Secretary of State now challenged various decisions of the Coroner by which (i) she ordered disclosure to her of a cockpit voice and flight data recorder and/or a full transcript of that voice recording; and (ii) she imposed a fine for non-compliance with those orders.
Held: The request for judiial review succeeded. The 1944 Convention applied to restrict the use of such recordings save where disclosure outweighs the adverse domestic and international impact such action may have on that or any future investigations.
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd CJ, Singh J
[2016] EWHC 2279 (Admin)
Bailii
Coroners and Justice Act 2009, Convention on International Civil Aviation 1944
England and Wales
Coroners, Transport
Updated: 11 November 2021; Ref: scu.569629
