Criminal Law Act 1977

56 Coroners' inquests

(1) At a coroner's inquest touching the death of a person who came by his death by murder, manslaughter or infanticide, the purpose of the proceedings shall not include the finding of any person guilty of the murder, manslaughter or infanticide; and accordingly a coroner's inquisition shall in no case charge a person with any of those offences.

(2) Without prejudice to the power of a coroner under subsection (2) of section 13 of the [1926 c. 59.] Coroners (Amendment) Act 1926 to summon a jury if it appears to him that there is any reason for doing so in a case in which he is not required by that subsection to do so, paragraphs (a) and (d) of that subsection (which require him to do so if it appears to him that the deceased came by his death by murder, manslaughter or infanticide, or that the death was caused by an accident arising out of the use of a vehicle in a street or public highway) shall cease to have effect.

(3) The section set out in Schedule 10 to this Act shall be substituted for section 20 of the Coroners (Amendment) Act 1926 (which provides for the adjournment of inquests in cases of murder, manslaughter or infanticide, of causing death by reckless driving, or of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring suicide).

(4) The [1888 c. xxxviii.] City of London Fire Inquests Act 1888 (which makes provision as to the functions and proceedings of the coroner for the City of London with regard to inquests upon fires within the City) shall cease to have effect.