New South Wales Consolidated Acts

CORONERS ACT 1980 - SECT 14C

14C Deaths under anaesthetic-inquest required in certain cases

(1) An inquest is required to be held if it appears to the coroner that the person died, or might have died, as a result of the administration of an anaesthetic as referred to in section 13 (1) (f).

(2) An inquest is required to be held if it appears to the coroner that the person died, or might have died, while under, or within 24 hours after the administration of, an anaesthetic as referred to in section 13 (1) (f) and the coroner has been requested to hold the inquest by any person who appears to the coroner to have a sufficient interest in the death or suspected death.

(3) A relative of a person is taken to have a sufficient interest in the person’s death or suspected death for the purposes of a request under this section and the coroner is not to refuse the relative’s request.

(4) A request under this section must be made within 28 days after the death or suspected death.

(5) An inquest is not required to be held under this section if it appears to the coroner that an inquest or other official inquiry concerning the death or suspected death has been held, or is to be held, outside New South Wales.

(6) A coroner who refuses a request under this section because the person making it does not, in the opinion of the coroner, have a sufficient interest of any kind in the circumstances of the death or suspected death, is required, at the written request of the person, to give the person the reasons for the refusal.