The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers this week called on the government to allow coroners to make binding decisions on granting legal aid to bereaved families. President Richard Langton said it was unfair that traumatised families often find themselves alone in the coroner's court, whereas other parties, such as big business, tend to have legal representation. He said: 'Applications for funding should be made to the coroner, and if the coroner gives it the go ahead, that decision should be binding on the Legal Services Commission.' Mr Langton added that parties should be compelled to report back to the coroner on any action they have taken to reduce future deaths.