(1)If it appears to the coroner, either before he proceeds to hold an inquest or in the course of an inquest begun without a jury, that there is reason to suspect that—
Para. (a) rep. by 1980 NI 6
(b)the death occurred in prison; or
(c)the death was caused by an accident, poisoning or disease notice of which is required, under or in pursuance of any enactment, to be given to a government department, or to any inspector or other officer of a government department [F2 or to an inspector appointed under Article 21 of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 [1978 NI 9] ]; or
Para. (d) rep. by 1980 NI 6
(e)the death occurred in circumstances the continuance or possible recurrence of which is prejudicial to the health or safety of the public or any section of the public;
he shall instruct the[F3 Juries Officer to summon a sufficient number of persons in accordance with the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996] to attend and be sworn as jurors upon such inquest at the time and place specified by the coroner.
(2)If in any case other than those referred to in sub-section (1) it appears to the coroner, either before or in the course of an inquest begun without a jury, that it is desirable to summon a jury, he may proceed to cause a jury to be summoned in accordance with the said sub-section.
[F4(3)In subsection (1) the reference to the Juries Officer is a reference to the Juries Officer for the division which includes the place specified by the coroner under that subsection; and “Juries Officer” and “division” have the same meanings as in the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.]
[F5( 4 ) This section and section 39(3) of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953 (prison officers etc not to be jurors) shall apply where a death occurs on service custody premises within the meaning of section 300 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 as they apply where a death occurs in prison. ]
F4S. 18(3) substituted (31.10.2016) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 9), s. 106(2), Sch. 1 para. 50(1) (with Sch. 8 para. 1); S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(k) (with art. 3)
F5S. 18(4) inserted (28.3.2009 for certain purposes otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 378(1), 383(2), Sch.16 para. 44; S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 18(4) modified (24.4.2009 for certain purposes otherwise 31.10.2009) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (Transitional Provisions etc) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1059), arts. 1(3), 205, Sch. 1 para. 7