Vicki Derrick, wife of missing Vinnie Derrick from Manchester, is to give evidence at the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry into presumption of death law in England and Wales which starts today (Tuesday 22 November).

Unlike in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where families can go to court just once to resolve all of a missing relative’s practical and legal affairs and get a Presumption of Death Certificate, families in England and Wales can struggle. Left to navigate a patchwork of different legal provisions, families can be forced to go to court several times which they report as being confusing, cumbersome and costly.

The charity Missing People has long been campaigning for this system to be reformed through a Presumption of Death Act for England and Wales. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Runaway and Missing Children and Adults led its own inquiry into support for families of missing people earlier this year and agreed that the law needs to be improved. This initial session will also include evidence from Missing People, Clifford Chance LLP and the Association of British Insurers”.

The APPG’s Chair Ann Coffey MP said: “During the APPG inquiry, my colleagues and I heard of the deep emotional impacts caused by having a missing loved one. To then leave them to use a presumption of death system which is not fit for purpose is simply unfair. I hope that the Select Committee will come to the same conclusion as the APPG has and recommend to the Coalition Government that the law be reformed.”

Martin Houghton-Brown, Missing People’s Chief Executive who will be giving evidence tomorrow, added: “To face the probability that your loved one is missing presumed dead is an incredibly painful process for families. For them to be forced to navigate an onerous and ambiguous presumption of death system adds unnecessary agony to this.

“The Ministry of Justice must act immediately to help these vulnerable families by introducing presumption of death legislation, which would bring England and Wales in line with Scotland and Northern Ireland. This is quite simply the right thing to do.”

A further evidence session will take place on 29 November, before the Committee makes its recommendations.

ENDS.