Schedules
Schedule 2Coroner areas
1Coroner areas
1
England and Wales is to be divided into areas to be known as coroner areas.
2
Each coroner area is to consist of the area of a local authority or the combined areas of two or more local authorities.
3
Subject to paragraph 2—
a
the coroner areas are to be those specified in an order made by the Lord Chancellor;
b
each coroner area is to be known by whatever name is specified in the order.
4
Before making an order under this paragraph, the Lord Chancellor must consult—
a
every local authority,
b
the Welsh Ministers, and
c
any other persons the Lord Chancellor thinks appropriate.
2Alteration of coroner areas
1
The Lord Chancellor may make orders altering coroner areas.
2
Before making an order under this paragraph the Lord Chancellor must consult—
a
whichever local authorities the Lord Chancellor thinks appropriate,
b
in the case of a coroner area in Wales, the Welsh Ministers, and
c
any other persons the Lord Chancellor thinks appropriate.
3
“Altering”, in relation to a coroner area, includes (as well as changing its boundaries)—
a
combining it with one or more other coroner areas;
b
dividing it between two or more other coroner areas;
c
changing its name.
3Relevant authorities
1
This paragraph sets out for the purposes of this Part what is the “relevant authority” for a given coroner area.
2
In the case of a coroner area consisting of the area of a single local authority, that authority is the relevant authority for the coroner area.
3
In the case of a coroner area consisting of the areas of two or more local authorities, the relevant authority for the coroner area is—
a
whichever one of those authorities they jointly nominate;
b
if they cannot agree on a nomination, whichever one of them the Lord Chancellor determines.
4
Before making a determination under sub-paragraph (3)(b) the Lord Chancellor must consult—
a
the Secretary of State, in a case involving local authorities in England;
b
the Welsh Ministers, in a case involving local authorities in Wales.
5
This paragraph has effect subject to paragraph 2 of Schedule 22.
4Effect of body being outside coroner area etc
1
This paragraph applies where—
a
a senior coroner is responsible for conducting an investigation under this Part into a person’s death, and
b
the body is outside the coroner’s area (whether because of its removal or otherwise).
2
The coroner has the same functions in relation to the body and the investigation as would be the case if the body were within the coroner’s area.
3
The presence of the body at a place outside the coroner’s area does not confer any functions on any other coroner.