Coroners Act 1988

Miscellaneous

29 Coroner of the Queen’s household

(1) The coroner of the Queen’s household shall continue to be appointed by the Lord Steward for the time being of the Queen’s household.

(2) The coroner of the Queen’s household shall have exclusive jurisdiction in respect of inquests into the deaths of persons whose bodies are lying—

(a) within the limits of any of the Queen’s palaces; or

(b) within the limits of any other house where Her Majesty is then residing.

(3) The limits of any such palace or house shall be deemed to extend to any courts, gardens or other places within the curtilage of the palace or house but not further; and where a body is lying in any place beyond those limits, the coroner within whose district the body is lying, and not the coroner for the Queen’s household, shall have jurisdiction to hold an inquest into the death.

(4) The jurors on an inquest held by the coroner of the Queen’s household shall consist of officers of that household, to be returned by such officer of the Queen’s household as may be directed to summon the jurors by the warrant of the coroner.

(5) All inquisitions, depositions and recognizances shall be delivered to the Lord Steward of the Queen’s household to be filed among the records of his office.

(6) The coroner of the Queen’s household—

(a) shall make his declaration of office before the Lord Steward of the Queen’s household; and

(b) shall reside in one of the Queen’s palaces or in such other convenient place as may from time to time be allowed by the Lord Steward of the Queen’s household.

(7) The provisions of Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the application of this Act and the law relating to coroners to the coroner of the Queen’s household.

30 Treasure trove

A coroner shall continue to have jurisdiction—

(a) to inquire into any treasure which is found in his district; and

(b) to inquire who were, or are suspected of being, the finders;

and the provisions of this Act shall, so far as applicable, apply to every such inquest.

31 Provision of accommodation

The council of a metropolitan district or London borough (whether or not a relevant council) may provide and maintain proper accommodation for the holding of inquests in their area.