Coroners Act 1988

[4A F1 Coroners’ districts: Wales. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by order divide, amalgamate or otherwise alter—

(a) any coroner’s district for the time being existing in Wales; or

(b) any such coroners’ districts.

(2) Before making any order under subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State shall consult the councils and coroners appearing to him to be affected by the order and such other persons as he thinks appropriate.

(3) The Secretary of State may, in relation to any area in Wales (the “review area”), direct the council or councils for each Welsh principal area which, or any part of which, falls within the review area to consider any of the following questions—

(a) whether any alteration should be made in a boundary between coroners’ districts which falls within the review area;

(b) whether a new coroner’s district should be created for the whole or any part of the review area;

(c) whether a coroner’s district which falls wholly within the review area should be abolished.

(4) The council or councils to whom such a direction is given shall submit their conclusions to the Secretary of State, together with a statement of their reasons for reaching those conclusions.

(5) In making an order under subsection (1) above in a case where he has given a direction under subsection (3) above, the Secretary of State shall have regard to any proposals made to him under subsection (4) above.

(6) Where the Secretary of State intends to give effect to any such proposals without modification, subsection (2) above shall not require him to consult the council or councils who made those proposals.

(7) An order made under subsection (1) above may make such incidental, consequential, transitional or supplemental provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(8) Except as provided by this Act, a coroner appointed for any coroner’s district in Wales—

(a) shall for all purposes be regarded as a coroner 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 coroner for the whole of Wales.

(9) The power to make orders under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

(10) Any such statutory instrument shall be laid before each House of Parliament after being made.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S.4A inserted (3.4.1995 in respect of the insertion of s. 4A(1)(2)(7)(9)(10) and 1.4.1996 otherwise) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 82(5) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1), Sch. 5; S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S.4A restricted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(7), Sch. 17 Pt. II para. 23(5) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1), Sch. 5