PART 2CORONERS' COURTS

I18Presiding coroner

1

The Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959 is amended as follows.

2

After section 2 insert—

2AAppointment of Presiding coroner

1

The Lord Chief Justice must appoint one of the coroners to be the Presiding coroner with responsibility for the coroners' courts and the other coroners.

2

The person appointed as Presiding coroner holds that office in accordance with the terms of the appointment.

3

If the office of Presiding coroner becomes vacant, the Lord Chief Justice may appoint a coroner to act as Presiding coroner, pending a new appointment.

4

The Lord Chief Justice may delegate any functions of the Lord Chief Justice relating to coroners' courts, other than functions under section 36, to the Presiding coroner.

3

The following provisions (which relate to the delegation of certain functions of the Lord Chief Justice in relation to coroners' courts) are repealed—

a

section 2(1B);

b

section 3(3);

c

section 6(3);

d

section 36(1H).