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Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953

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Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, Section 16 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 14 October 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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16 Information concerning death in a house.E+W

(1)The following provisions of this section shall have effect where a person dies in a house.

(2)The following persons shall be qualified to give information concerning the death, that is to say—

(a)[F1any person who is a relative or the partner of the deceased and who was] present at the death or in attendance during his last illness;

(b)[F2any person who is a relative or the partner of the deceased and who is or resides] in the sub–district where the death occurred;

[F3(ba)any personal representative of the deceased;]

(c)any person present at the death;

(d)the occupier of the house if he knew of the happening of the death;

(e)any inmate of the house who knew of the happening of the death;

(f)the person causing the disposal of the body.

(3)It shall be the duty—

(a)of [F4each such person] as is mentioned in paragraph (a) of the last foregoing subsection; or

(b)if there is [F5no such person], of [F6each such person] as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection; or

(c)[F7if neither of paragraphs (a) and (b) above applies], of each such person as is mentioned in [F8paragraph (ba), (c) or (d)] of that subsection; or

(d)[F9if none of paragraphs (a) to (c) above applies], of each such person as is mentioned in paragraph (e) or (f) of that subsection,

to give to the registrar, before the expiration of [F10five days from the relevant date], information to the best of his knowledge and belief of the particulars required to be registered concerning the death, and in the presence of the registrar to sign the register:

Provided that—

(i)

the giving of information and the signing of the register by any one qualified informant shall act as a discharge of any duty under this subsection of every other qualified informant;

(ii)

[F11this subsection shall not have effect if an investigation is conducted under Part 1 of the 2009 Act into the death of the deceased person and has not been discontinued under section 4 of that Act (cause of death [F12becoming clear before inquest]).]

[F13(4)In this section, the expression “the relevant date” means—

(a)the date on which the registrar is notified in accordance with regulations under section 20(1)(f)(i) or (h)(i) of the 2009 Act (confirmation or certification by medical examiner of cause of death); or

(b)where an investigation under Part 1 of that Act into the death of the deceased person is discontinued under section 4 of that Act, the date of the discontinuance.]

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