30   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 or a senior available next of kin shall not authorise the post-mortem examination of the body of a person to whom this section applies unless a coroner has given consent to the examination.

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

(3)  Section 29 (1) does not apply in relation to a person to whom this section applies unless a coroner has given consent to the post-mortem examination of 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 conduct of a post-mortem examination of 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.