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Coroners Act 2006

Inquiries into causes and circumstances of deaths - Inquiries

77: Coroner may hold hearing on papers and make chambers findings

You could also call this:

"The coroner can decide a case using papers instead of a court hearing."

Illustration for Coroners Act 2006

You can have a hearing on papers instead of an inquest. A coroner can do this if they tell interested parties about their plan. They must consider the views of interested parties before making a decision. You get to have a say on whether there should be an inquest or a hearing on papers. The coroner thinks about your views and other important information. They can make chambers findings if they are satisfied an inquest is not needed. This rule does not apply to an associate coroner, as stated in section 10 of the Coroners Amendment Act 2023.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM377819.

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77A: Associate coroner holds hearing on papers or refers death to chief coroner, or

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Part 3Inquiries into causes and circumstances of deaths
Inquiries

77Coroner may hold hearing on papers and make chambers findings

  1. A coroner may, instead of holding an inquest, hold a hearing on the papers and make chambers findings if the coroner—

  2. notifies interested parties of the coroner’s intention to hold a hearing on the papers and make chambers findings instead of holding an inquest; and
    1. allows a reasonable period for interested parties to make their views known to the coroner on whether—
      1. an inquest should be held; or
        1. a hearing should proceed on the papers; and
        2. considers those views, among other relevant factors and information; and
          1. is satisfied that an inquest is not required for the discharge of the coroner’s role under this Act.

            1. This section does not apply to an associate coroner.

            Notes
            • Section 77: replaced, on , by section 10 of the Coroners Amendment Act 2023 (2023 No 8).