South Australian Consolidated Acts

CORONERS ACT 2003 - SECT 21

21—Holding of inquests by Court

        (1)         The Coroner's Court must hold an inquest to ascertain the cause or circumstances of the following events:

            (a)         a death in custody;

            (b)         if the State Coroner considers it necessary or desirable to do so, or the Attorney-General so directs—

                  (i)         any other reportable death; or

                  (ii)         the disappearance from any place of a person ordinarily resident in the State; or

                  (iii)         the disappearance from, or within, the State of any person; or

                  (iv)         a fire or accident that causes injury to person or property;

            (c)         any other event if so required under some other Act.

        (2)         However, if a person has been charged in criminal proceedings with causing the event that is, or is to be, the subject of an inquest, the Court may not commence or proceed further with the inquest until the criminal proceedings have been disposed of, withdrawn or permanently stayed.

        (3)         An inquest may be held to ascertain the cause or circumstances of more than one event.