Coroners Act 1996

A coroner investigating a death must find if possible —

the identity of the deceased; and

how death occurred; and

the cause of death; and

the particulars needed to register the death under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998.

However, a coroner is not under a duty to make a finding under subsection (1)(b) as to how death occurred, even if it is possible to do so, if —

there is no duty to hold an inquest into the death under this Act; and

the coroner determines that there is no public interest to be served in making a finding as to how the death occurred.

A coroner may comment on any matter connected with the death including public health or safety or the administration of justice.

Where the death is of a person held in care, a coroner must comment on the quality of the supervision, treatment and care of the person while in that care.

Where a post mortem examination is held as part of the investigation of a death and a finding has not been made within 21 days after that post mortem examination, then the coroner must provide written information on that examination to any of the next of kin under section 37(5), unless it is not practicable to do so.

A coroner must not frame a finding or comment in such a way as to appear to determine any question of civil liability or to suggest that any person is guilty of any offence.