CORONIAL INQUESTS, INQUIRIES AND THE CORONER'S COURT  

Peter Murphy has extensive experience in coronial matters and is available to appear at Sydney and regional inquests and inquiries. He has represented witnesses and families of deceased persons, and has also appeared as counsel assisting the Coroner.

Coroners and the Coroner’s Court

The "Coroner’s Court" is the generic name given to proceedings in which a Coroner holds an inquest or an inquiry in New South Wales. Coroners have jurisdiction over the remains of a person and the power to make findings in respect to the cause of a death.

Where a serious criminal offence has been disclosed during the course of an inquest or an inquiry, the Coroner may terminate the proceedings and refer that matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration of criminal proceedings.

Coroners also hold inquiries concerning the cause of any fire in New South Wales.
All Magistrates in New South Wales are Coroners.

The State Coroner

The Governor of New South Wales may appoint a State Coroner for New South Wales.

The State Coroner has the function to oversee and co-ordinate coronial services in New South Wales. They ensure that all deaths, suspected deaths, fires and explosions (in which a Coroner has jurisdiction to hold an inquest or inquiry) are properly investigated, ensuring that an inquest or inquiry is held whenever it is required, and to issue guidelines to Coroners to assist them in the performance of their functions.

The current State Coroner is Magistrate Jerram.

The Coroner’s Decisions

Generally there are no appeals from the Coroner's decisions, although there is provision for the Supreme Court of New South Wales to order a fresh inquest or inquiry or to grant prerogative relief in respect of the proceedings.

Deputy State Coroners

The Governor may also appoint Deputy State Coroners who may exercise any of the functions of the State Coroner when delegated.

The Governor may also appoint Coroners and Assistant Coroners drawn from Registrars employed in the New South Wales Court System to ensure coronial services are available in regional areas.

Coroner’s Court

There are two specialist Coroner’s Courts in Sydney. These are the State Coroner's Court at Glebe and the Parramatta Coroner's Court in the Local Court Complex.

 
Inquests and Inquiries are also held at Court Houses in regional centres.

Read more about Coroner’s Courts.

Ask Peter Murphy a question.  

                PETER MURPHY CRIMINAL LAW  Suite 201 370 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000

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