CORONERS ACT 1997 - SECT 23 Consideration of immediate family

CORONERS ACT 1997 - SECT 23

    (1)     A coroner holding an inquest into a death (other than a death in care or death in custody) may, if requested to do so by a member of the immediate family of the deceased or a representative of that person, authorise—

        (a)     the viewing of the body of the deceased by the member or a representative of that member; or

        (b)     an inspection of the scene of the death by the member or a representative of that member; or

        (c)     an inspection of the scene of an event which, in the opinion of the coroner, may have resulted in the death of the person; or

        (d)     the member or a representative of that member to be present at any post-mortem examination conducted on the body; or

        (e)     the same or another doctor to conduct a further post-mortem examination on the body.

    (2)     If a coroner refuses to give an authorisation under subsection (1) on the ground that the coroner believes that it would not be in the public interest or the interests of justice to do so, the coroner must give to the person who made the request written notice of the refusal and an explanation for the refusal.

    (3)     A notice under subsection (2) must include a statement that the person who made the request may apply to the Chief Coroner requesting that the coroner who made the decision reconsider the decision.