Coroners Act 2003

This section is about the State Coroner reassigning the investigation of a death from 1 coroner (the original coroner) to the State Coroner or another coroner (the new coroner).

The State Coroner may reassign an investigation that has not gone to an inquest if the State Coroner considers it necessary for the efficient operation of the coronial system.

Also, the State Coroner may reassign an investigation, whether or not it has not gone to an inquest, if the original coroner—

stops being a coroner; or

is not available to finish the investigation, because of absence or another reason.

If the original coroner had started but not finished an inquest into the death, the new coroner may—

continue the inquest; or

rehear part of the evidence heard by the original coroner; or

hold a new inquest.

For the investigation, the new coroner may—

consider any evidence that was before the original coroner; and

do anything the original coroner could do.