The Justice Committee held a brief inquiry looking at the issues around the presumption of death in England and Wales.
Presumption of death is the process by which people can register a death where there is no body, and resolve their affairs, including financial, marital and probate.
The inquiry will seek to answer the following questions:
- Does the current system work effectively?
- Does the current system create difficulties for families, and if so, how can these be resolved?
- What can we learn from the experiences of Scotland and Northern Ireland which have Presumption of Death Acts?
- Is there a need for legislative or procedural change in England and Wales? If so, what form should these changes take?
The Committee issued a call for evidence on 21 July 2010.
Further information