Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25)

Part 1 E+W+N.I. Coroners etc

Chapter 1 E+W Investigations into deaths

Discontinuance of investigation E+W

4 Discontinuance where cause of death [F1 becomes clear before inquest] E+W

(1) A senior coroner who is responsible for conducting an investigation under this Part into a person's death must discontinue the investigation if—

[F2 (a) the coroner is satisfied that the cause of death has become clear in the course of the investigation,

(aa) an inquest into the death has not yet begun, and]

(b) the coroner thinks that it is not necessary to continue the investigation.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the coroner has reason to suspect that the deceased—

(a) died a violent or unnatural death, or

(b) died while in custody or otherwise in state detention.

(3) Where a senior coroner discontinues an investigation into a death under this section—

(a) the coroner may not hold an inquest into the death;

(b) no determination or finding under section 10(1) may be made in respect of the death.

This subsection does not prevent a fresh investigation under this Part from being conducted into the death.

(4) A senior coroner who discontinues an investigation into a death under this section must, if requested to do so in writing by an interested person, give to that person as soon as practicable a written explanation as to why the investigation was discontinued.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 4 heading substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 39(2), 51(3)

F2 S. 4(1)(a)(aa) substituted for s. 4(1)(a) (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 39(3), 51(3)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 4 in force at 25.7.2013 by S.I. 2013/1869, art. 2(a)