Coroners and Justice Act 2009

Section 38

Schedule 9 Medical adviser and Deputy medical advisers to the Chief Coroner

Appointment and functions of Medical Adviser to the Chief Coroner

1 The Lord Chancellor may appoint a person as Medical Adviser to the Chief Coroner (“the Medical Adviser”) to provide advice and assistance to the Chief Coroner as to medical matters in relation to the coroner system.

Appointment and functions of Deputy Medical Advisers to the Chief Coroner

2 (1) The Lord Chancellor may appoint however many Deputy Medical Advisers to the Chief Coroner (“Deputy Medical Advisers”) the Lord Chancellor thinks appropriate.

(2) A Deputy Medical Adviser may perform any functions of the Medical Adviser—

(a) during a period when the Medical Adviser is absent or unavailable;

(b) during a vacancy in the office of Medical Adviser;

(c) at any other time, with the consent of the Medical Adviser.

Qualification for appointment

3 A person may be appointed as the Medical Adviser or as a Deputy Medical Adviser only if, at the time of the appointment, he or she—

(a) is a registered medical practitioner and has been throughout the previous 5 years, and

(b) practises as such or has done within the previous 5 years.

Consultation before making appointment

4 Before appointing a person as the Medical Adviser or as a Deputy Medical Adviser, the Lord Chancellor must consult—

(a) the Chief Coroner, and

(b) the Welsh Ministers.

Terms and conditions of appointment

5 The appointment of a person as the Medical Adviser or as a Deputy Medical Adviser is to be on whatever terms and conditions the Lord Chancellor thinks appropriate.

Remuneration, allowances and expenses

6 (1) The Lord Chancellor may pay to the Medical Adviser—

(a) amounts determined by the Lord Chancellor by way of remuneration or allowances;

(b) amounts determined by the Lord Chancellor towards expenses incurred in performing functions as such.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may pay to a Deputy Medical Adviser—

(a) amounts determined by the Lord Chancellor by way of remuneration or allowances;

(b) amounts determined by the Lord Chancellor towards expenses incurred by that Deputy Medical Adviser in performing functions as such.