Published: Wednesday, 3rd June, 2009 6:35am

Consultation to improve FAI

SNP MSP Christine Grahame has welcomed the publishing by Lord Cullen of details of the submissions received as part of the consultation into the Review of Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation.

The Scottish Government appointed Lord Cullen to review the operation of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiries (Scotland) Act 1976.

These inquiries govern the system of judicial investigation of sudden or unexpected deaths in Scotland.

Ms Grahame has led calls for a review of the FAI system and said the consultation process was a major step towards reforming the process of judicial investigation.

Ms Grahame said: 'I have been closely involved in a number of FAI investigations including the Pascal Norris, Stuart Foster and Irene Hogg cases amongst others. In 2007 I believed the time had come for a review of how these investigations were conducted amidst concerns from relatives about the time taken to undertake them.

'I am pleased that the Scottish Government is undertaking such a thorough review and I look forward to seeing Lord Cullen"s conclusions later this year on how the process can be improved and speeded up.'

Lord Cullen added: "I published the consultation paper on 20 November 2008 in order to inform interested parties of the principal issues to be considered by the Review and to take their views on such issues.

"The paper did not set out a closed agenda. In fact, I made a point of welcoming suggestions as to other questions and options that were not mentioned in the paper.

'There was a strong response to the consultation and I am grateful to those who responded for their contributions. It is apparent that there is a desire for reform in some areas of the fatal accident inquiry system.

"However, I intend to look further into individual topics before proceeding to my conclusions later this year."

The report on consultation can be located at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/FAIreview .