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Coroners Act 1997
39AFunctions of counsel assisting
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39A Functions of counsel assisting
(1) The functions of counsel assisting include the following:
(a) assisting the coroner as required by the coroner in the inquest or
inquiry;
(b) if there is a hearing for the inquest or inquiry—
(i) appearing at the hearing; and
(ii) presenting evidence and examining witnesses at the
hearing;
(c) making submissions to the coroner on any matter relevant to the
inquest or inquiry, including any findings that the coroner may
make at the end of the inquest or inquiry;
(d) acting in the public interest and the interests of justice to assist
the coroner to decide matters of fact or law relevant to the
inquest or inquiry.
(2) Counsel assisting must tell the coroner as soon as practicable, in
writing, if he or she becomes aware of any matter that could affect his
or her eligibility to be appointed as, or ability to exercise the functions
of, counsel assisting.
(3) In this section:
counsel assisting means a lawyer appointed under section 39 or
section 72.
examining, a witness, includes cross-examining and re-examining
the witness.