Evidence by video link
17.—(1) A coroner may direct that a witness may give evidence at an inquest hearing through a live video link.
(2) A direction may not be given under paragraph (1) unless the coroner determines that giving evidence in the way proposed would improve the quality of the evidence given by the witness or allow the inquest to proceed more expediently.
(3) Before giving a direction under paragraph (1), the coroner must consider all the circumstances of the case, including in particular—
(a)any views expressed by the witness or any interested person;
(b)whether it would be in the interests of justice or national security to give evidence by video link; and
(c)whether in the opinion of the coroner, giving evidence by video link would impede the effectiveness of the questioning of the witness.
(4) A direction may be given under paragraph (1)—
(a)on an application by the witness, or in the case of a child witness the parent or legal guardian of that witness;
(b)on an application by an interested person; or
(c)on the coroner’s own initiative.