25   Consent by coroner

(1)  This section applies to a person in respect of whose death a coroner has jurisdiction to hold an inquest under the Coroners Act 2009.

(2)  A designated officer for a hospital, a senior available next of kin or a principal care officer shall not authorise the removal of tissue from the body of a person to whom this section applies unless a coroner has given consent to the removal of the tissue.

Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.

(3)  Section 24 (1) does not apply in relation to a person to whom this section applies unless a coroner has given consent to the removal of tissue from the person’s body.

(4)  A consent by a coroner under this section may be expressed to be subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent.

(5)  A consent by a coroner under this section may be given orally and, if so given, is to be confirmed in writing as soon as practicable.

(6)  A coroner shall, in determining the conditions (if any) to which a consent shall be subject, have regard only to the effect which the removal of tissue from the body of the person to whom the consent relates may have in relation to the conduct of any inquest which a coroner has jurisdiction to hold in respect of that person’s death.