The Policing and Crime Act 2017 has made an important amendment to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
As of 3 April 2017, a coroner will no longer be required to hold an inquest for every death that occurs whilst the person is deprived of their liberty under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This is a result of the changes brought in by the new Policing and Crime Act which has amended the definition of 'state detention' in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
Whilst coroners can still choose to hold an inquest if the cause of death is unknown or there is a reason to suspect the death was violent or unnatural (see the CPS guidance), they will no longer be required to by law.
This is welcomed by campaigners who felt that compulsory inquests caused unnecessary distress to grieving families following the death of relatives who had been deprived of their liberty.