Explanatory Notes

Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011

2011 asp 11

20 April 2011

Commentary on Sections

Referral of medical certificates of cause of death for review

Section 7: Medical reviewer to determine whether review to stay registration

25.It is for the medical reviewer to decide whether it is appropriate to register the death before the review is complete and to notify the registrar of the decision. The medical reviewer must be satisfied that the circumstances of the case justify this and that the certificate appears on the face of it to be in order. This process may reduce any delay to the funeral and so may be useful in cases where it has to take place more quickly than usual. The circumstances to be considered by medical reviewers will be set out in guidance.