Coroners Act 1988
1988 CHAPTER 13 cross-notesI1
An Act to consolidate the Coroners Acts 1887 to 1980 and certain related enactments, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.
[10th May 1988]
F1 Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Coroners
F2 1 Appointment of coroners.
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F3 2 Qualifications for appointment as coroner.
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F4 3 Terms on which coroners hold office.
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F5 4 Coroners’ districts.
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4A F6[F7 Coroner areas F7] : Wales. cross-notes
SI F8 (1)-(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8) [F9 A senior coroner F9] appointed for any [F10 coroner area F10] in Wales—
(a) shall for all purposes be regarded as a [F11 senior coroner F11] for the whole of Wales; and
(b) shall have the same jurisdiction, rights, powers and authorities throughout Wales as if he had been appointed as [F12 a senior coroner F12] for the whole of Wales.
F8 (9)-(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
case F13 5 Jurisdiction of coroners.
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Cases considering this provision (3)
- Shaw, R (on the application of) v University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust & Ors[2013] EWHC 386 (Admin)
- Pounder (2), R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the North & South Districts of Durham & Darlington & Ors[2010] EWHC 328 (Admin)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
Deputy coroners
case F14 6 Appointment of deputy coroners.
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Cases considering this provision (2)
- Mueller v Her Majesty's Area Coroner for Manchester West[2017] EWHC 3000 (Admin)
- Pounder (2), R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the North & South Districts of Durham & Darlington & Ors[2010] EWHC 328 (Admin)
case F15 7 Functions of deputy coroners.
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Cases considering this provision (2)
Inquests: general
case F16 8 Duty to hold inquest.
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Cases considering this provision (52)
- R (on the application of Smith) v Secretary of State for Defence and another[2010] UKSC 29
- R (On The Application of JL v Secretary of State For Justice (Appellant)[2008] UKHL 68
- R (on the application of Hurst) (Respondent)v.Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Appellant)[2007] UKHL 13
- Regina v. Her Majesty's Coroner for the Western District of Somerset (Respondent) and another (Appellant) ex parte Middleton (FC) (Respondent)[2004] UKHL 10
- Regina v. Her Majesty's Coroner for the County of West Yorkshire (Appellant) ex parte Sacker (FC) (Respondent)[2004] UKHL 11
and 47 more in the case-law panel for this provision
F17 9 Qualifications of jurors.
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case F18 10 Attendance of jurors and witnesses.
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Cases considering this provision (1)
- Paul & Anor , R (on the application of) v Assistant Deputy Coroner of Inner West London[2007] EWHC 2721 (Admin)
case F19 11 Proceedings at inquest.
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Cases considering this provision (59)
- R (on the application of Maguire) v His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Blackpool & Fylde and another[2023] UKSC 20
- R (on the application of Smith) v Secretary of State for Defence and another[2010] UKSC 29
- R (on the application of Hurst) (Respondent)v.Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Appellant)[2007] UKHL 13
- Jordan (AP) (Appellant) v. Lord Chancellor and another (Respondents) (Northern Ireland)McCaughey (AP) (Appellant) v. Chief Constable of the Police Service Northern Ireland (Respondent) (Northern Ireland)[2007] UKHL 14
- Regina v. Her Majesty's Coroner for the Western District of Somerset (Respondent) and another (Appellant) ex parte Middleton (FC) (Respondent)[2004] UKHL 10
and 54 more in the case-law panel for this provision
F20 12 Failure of jury to agree.
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Inquests: special cases
case 13 Order to hold [F21 investigation F21] .
(1) This section applies where, on an application by or under the authority of the Attorney-General, the High Court is satisfied as respects a coroner (“the coroner concerned”) either—
(a) that he refuses or neglects to hold an inquest [F22 or an investigation F22] which ought to be held; or
(b) where an inquest [F23 or an investigation F23] has been held by him, that (whether by reason of fraud, rejection of evidence, irregularity of proceedings, insufficiency of inquiry, the discovery of new facts or evidence or otherwise) it is necessary or desirable in the interests of justice that [F24 an investigation (or as the case may by, another investigation) F24] should be held.
(2) The High Court may—
(a) order an [F25 investigation under Part 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 F25] to be held into the death either—
(i) by the coroner concerned; or
(ii) by [F26 a senior coroner, area coroner or assistant coroner in the same coroner area F26] ;
(b) order the coroner concerned to pay such costs of and incidental to the application as to the court may appear just; and
(c) where an inquest has been held, quash [F27 any inquisition on, or determination or finding made at F27] that inquest.
F28 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F29 (4) For the purposes of this section, “coroner” means a coroner appointed under section 1 of this Act , or a senior coroner, area coroner or assistant coroner appointed under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 . F29]
[F30 (5) This section does not apply in relation to a death that resulted directly from the Troubles (which has the same meaning as in Schedule 1A to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 — see paragraph 4 of that Schedule). F30]
Cases considering this provision (61)
- R (on the application of Hurst) (Respondent)v.Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Appellant)[2007] UKHL 13
- Regina v. Her Majesty's Coroner for the Western District of Somerset (Respondent) and another (Appellant) ex parte Middleton (FC) (Respondent)[2004] UKHL 10
- Joy Dove v HM Assistant Coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool & Anor[2023] EWCA Civ 289
- Davies (No 2), R (on the application of) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham[2004] EWCA Civ 207
- R (Touche) v Inner London North Coroner[2001] EWCA Civ 383
and 56 more in the case-law panel for this provision
case F31 14 Inquest out of jurisdiction.
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Cases considering this provision (3)
- Connah v Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust & Ors[2010] EWHC 1727 (Admin)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
- Aineto, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for Brighton and Hove[2003] EWHC 1896 (Admin)
case F32 15 Inquest where body destroyed or irrecoverable.
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Cases considering this provision (6)
- T, R (On the Application Of) v HM Senior Coroner for the County of West Yorkshire (Western Area)[2017] EWCA Civ 318
- R (Touche) v Inner London North Coroner[2001] EWCA Civ 383
- Connah v Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust & Ors[2010] EWHC 1727 (Admin)
- Lawrance, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for West Somerset[2008] EWHC 1293 (Admin)
- Bicknell v HM Coroner for Birmingham[2007] EWHC 2547 (Admin)
and 1 more in the case-law panel for this provision
case F34 16 Adjournment of inquest in [F33 event of criminal proceedings F33] .
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Cases considering this provision (12)
- R (on the application of Hurst) (Respondent)v.Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Appellant)[2007] UKHL 13
- Regina v. Her Majesty's Coroner for the Western District of Somerset (Respondent) and another (Appellant) ex parte Middleton (FC) (Respondent)[2004] UKHL 10
- Regina v. Secretary of State for The Home Department (Respondent) ex parte Amin (FC) (Appellant)[2003] UKHL 51
- Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis v Hurst[2005] EWCA Civ 890
- Wilkinson, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the Greater Manchester South District & Ors[2012] EWHC 2755 (Admin)
and 7 more in the case-law panel for this provision
case F35 17 Provisions supplementary to section 16.
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Cases considering this provision (1)
- Butler, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the Black Country District[2010] EWHC 43 (Admin)
case F37[F36 17A F36] Adjournment of inquest in event of judicial inquiry.
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Cases considering this provision (5)
- Regina v. Her Majesty's Coroner for the Western District of Somerset (Respondent) and another (Appellant) ex parte Middleton (FC) (Respondent)[2004] UKHL 10
- Regina v. Secretary of State for The Home Department (Respondent) ex parte Amin (FC) (Appellant)[2003] UKHL 51
- Davies, R (on the application of) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham[2003] EWCA Civ 1739
- Secretary of State for the Home Department, R (on the application of) v Assistant Deputy Coroner for Inner West London[2010] EWHC 3098 (Admin)
- Butler, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the Black Country District[2010] EWHC 43 (Admin)
F38 18 Inquests into road deaths in London.
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Medical witnesses and post-mortem examinations etc.
case F39 19 Post-mortem examination without inquest.
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Cases considering this provision (5)
- T, R (On the Application Of) v HM Senior Coroner for the County of West Yorkshire (Western Area)[2017] EWCA Civ 318
- Terry v Craze[2001] EWCA Civ 148
- McLeish, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the Northern District of Greater London[2010] EWHC 3624 (Admin)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
- AB & Ors v Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust[2004] EWHC 644 (QB)
case F40 20 Request to specially qualified person to make post-mortem and special examinations.
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Cases considering this provision (1)
- Shaw, R (on the application of) v University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust & Ors[2013] EWHC 386 (Admin)
F41 21 Summoning of medical witnesses and direction of post-mortem examinations.
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case F42 22 Removal of body for post mortem examination.
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Cases considering this provision (1)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
case F43 23 Exhumation of body for examination.
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Cases considering this provision (2)
- McLeish, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for the Northern District of Greater London[2010] EWHC 3624 (Admin)
- HM Coroner for the Eastern District of London, R (on the application of) v Sutovic[2009] EWHC 1974 (Admin)
Expenses and returns of inquests
F44 24 Fees and allowances payable on holding inquest.
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F45 25 Payments to jurors.
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F46 26 Payment of expenses by coroner.
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case F47 27 Accounts to be laid before relevant council.
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Cases considering this provision (2)
- Plymouth City Council v HM Coroner County of Devon (Plymouth & South West District) & Anor[2005] EWHC 1014 (Admin)
- Aineto, R (on the application of) v HM Coroner for Brighton and Hove[2003] EWHC 1896 (Admin)
case F49[F48 27A F48] Indemnity.
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Cases considering this provision (2)
- Davies (No 2), R (on the application of) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham[2004] EWCA Civ 207
- Plymouth City Council v HM Coroner County of Devon (Plymouth & South West District) & Anor[2005] EWHC 1014 (Admin)
F50 28 Annual returns to be made to Secretary of State.
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Miscellaneous
case F51 29 Coroner of the Queen’s household.
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Cases considering this provision (1)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
F52 30 Treasure trove.
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F53 31 Provision of accommodation.
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Supplemental
caseSI F54 32 Power to make rules.
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Cases considering this provision (2)
F55 33 Savings for ex-officio coroners and judicial powers.
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F56 34 Application of Act to Isles of Scilly.
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F57 35 Interpretation.
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F58 36 Consequential amendments, repeals, transitional provisions and savings.
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F59 37 Short title, commencement and extent.
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SCHEDULES
Section 3(1).
SCHEDULE 1 SALARIES AND PENSIONS
F60 ...
F60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 29(7).
case SCHEDULE 2 CORONER OF THE QUEEN’S HOUSEHOLD
Cases considering this provision (1)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
case F61 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F61,F61 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F61,F61 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F61,F61 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cases considering this provision (1)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
case F61,F61 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cases considering this provision (1)
- Paul & Ors v Deputy Coroner of the Queen's Household & Anor[2007] EWHC 408 (Admin)
Section 36(1).
SCHEDULE 3 CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
F62 ...
F62 ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 36(2).
SCHEDULE 4 REPEALS
| F63 ... | ... | ... |
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