NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
CORONERS REGULATIONS 1994
As in force at 28 November 2022
Table of provisions
1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1
2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1
3 Reference to forms .......................................................................... 1
4 Reporting of death ........................................................................... 1
5 Information to the coroner ............................................................... 1
6 Matters in relation to conduct of autopsy ......................................... 2
7 Duties of medical practitioner .......................................................... 2
8 Persons who may attend autopsy.................................................... 3
9 Persons to attend inquest into death in custody .............................. 3
10 Reporting disasters .......................................................................... 3
11 Person to assist coroner .................................................................. 3
12 Order to exclude persons from inquest ............................................ 4
13 Access to coroner's record and file .................................................. 4
14 Failure to comply ............................................................................. 4
15 Table of forms.................................................................................. 5
16 General penalty ............................................................................... 5
Schedule 1 Table of Forms
Schedule 2
ENDNOTES
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
As in force at 28 November 2022
CORONERS REGULATIONS 1994
Regulations under the Coroners Act 1993
1 Citation
These Regulations may be cited as the Coroners Regulations 1994.
2 Commencement
These Regulations shall come into operation on the
commencement of the Coroners Act 1993.
3 Reference to forms
In these Regulations, a reference to a form by number is a
reference to the form so numbered in Schedule 2.
4 Reporting of death
(1) A person may report a death to a coroner or a member of the Police
Force by telephone or by facsimile.
(2) Where a person reports a death, he or she shall, not later than
24 hours after reporting the death, furnish information to the person
he or she reported the death to in accordance with Form 1.
5 Information to the coroner
For the purposes of section 13 of the Act:
(a) a person who reports a death shall give to the coroner
investigating the death any information that may help the
investigation; and
(b) a member of the Police Force who has information relevant to
an investigation into a death shall report it to the coroner
investigating the death,
not later that 28 days after the death was reported.
Coroners Regulations 1994 2
6 Matters in relation to conduct of autopsy
(1) In considering which medical practitioner to direct to perform an
autopsy, a coroner shall have regard to the following matters:
(a) an autopsy should be performed as soon as practicable after a
death;
(b) a medical practitioner who performs an autopsy must conduct
the autopsy on premises that are adequately equipped for the
purposes of conducting an autopsy;
(c) a medical practitioner who performs an autopsy must have
access to a laboratory with facilities for conducting
pathological tests.
(2) The medical practitioner who is directed to perform the autopsy
shall:
(a) wherever possible, be a qualified forensic pathologist; or
(b) where a person referred to in paragraph (a) is not available,
be a qualified pathologist who is, in the opinion of the coroner,
suitably experienced to perform an autopsy.
7 Duties of medical practitioner
(1) A medical practitioner who is directed to perform an autopsy by a
coroner shall perform the autopsy as soon as practicable after
being so directed.
(2) A medical practitioner who performs an autopsy shall, as far as is
practicable, make arrangements for the preservation, for such
period as the coroner considers necessary, of material he or she
deals with in the course of the conduct of the autopsy which is, in
his or her opinion, relevant to the cause of the death of the
deceased person.
(3) On completion of an autopsy, the medical practitioner who
conducted the autopsy shall, as soon as practicable, notify the
coroner in writing:
(a) of his or her preliminary findings as to the cause of the death;
(b) that the cause of the death is undetermined; or
(c) that the cause of the death is still under investigation,
whichever is the case.
Coroners Regulations 1994 3
(4) The medical practitioner who performs an autopsy shall, not later
than 28 days after completing the autopsy, provide the coroner with
a written report of his or her findings in respect of the autopsy but
he or she shall not, unless authorised by the coroner, provide a
copy of the report to any other person.
8 Persons who may attend autopsy
(1) Where a coroner directs that an autopsy shall be performed on a
body, he or she may, on being requested to do so, permit a person
who demonstrates to the coroner a sufficient interest in the conduct
of an autopsy to attend the autopsy.
(2) Where a person referred to in subregulation (1) attends an autopsy,
that person shall behave in such a manner so as not to interfere in
any way in the performance of the autopsy.
9 Persons to attend inquest into death in custody
Where a coroner holds an inquest into the death of a person held in
custody, the inquest shall not be commenced in the absence of the
senior next of kin of the deceased person, or other representative of
the family of the deceased person nominated by the senior next of
kin, unless the coroner is satisfied that the senior next of kin or the
nominated representative does not wish to attend the inquest, that
wish being advised to the coroner by the senior next of kin or the
nominated representative, as the case may be, or by his or her
legal practitioner, appearing before the coroner.
10 Reporting disasters
(1) A member of the Police Force who has information relevant to an
investigation into a disaster shall report it to the coroner
investigating the disaster not later than 28 days after the disaster
occurred.
(2) Where a disaster occurs that is a fire, a police officer who has
information relevant to an investigation into the fire shall make a
report about the fire to a coroner in accordance with Form 2.
11 Person to assist coroner
The person appointed to assist the coroner for the purposes of
section 41(2) of the Act shall:
(a) be a legal practitioner; and
(b) if practicable, be experienced in coronial matters.
Coroners Regulations 1994 4
12 Order to exclude persons from inquest
Where a coroner makes an order pursuant to section 42 of the Act
that all or any persons shall go and remain outside and beyond the
hearing of an inquest, the coroner shall, if requested to do so by a
person who is affected by the order, give to the person as soon as
practicable after receiving the request his or her written reasons for
making the order.
13 Access to coroner's record and file
(1) During the conduct of an investigation or inquest by the coroner
under the Act, the coroner may direct that a person or class of
persons may inspect or copy the record and file of the investigation
or inquest, and only that person or such persons may do so.
(2) Where a coroner orders pursuant to section 43 of the Act that a
report of an inquest, of part of the proceedings or of evidence given
at an inquest shall not be published, the coroner shall also order
that the record and file of the inquest shall not be open to inspection
by, or otherwise available to, any person other than a party to the
proceedings or a member of the family of a person whose death
was a subject of the inquest.
(3) At the completion of an investigation, the coroner may order that
the record and file of the investigation is not to be open to
inspection by, or otherwise available to, any person other than a
party to the proceedings or a member of the family of a deceased
person whose death was investigated.
14 Failure to comply
(1) A failure to comply with the Regulations does not render a
document, a step taken or a proceeding commenced for the
purposes of the Act or these Regulations a nullity.
(2) A coroner may dispense with compliance with a requirement of
these Regulations whether before or after the occasion for
compliance arises.
(3) Where there has been a failure to comply with these Regulations in
relation to a document, a step taken or a proceeding commenced
for the purposes of the Act or these Regulations, a coroner may, in
such manner and upon such terms as he or she thinks fit:
(a) dispense with compliance with the requirement;
(b) make an appropriate amendment; or
(c) make an appropriate order.
Coroners Regulations 1994 5
15 Table of forms
Forms 3 to 12 inclusive are to be used for the purposes of the Act
by reference to and in accordance with the Table in Schedule 1.
16 General penalty
A person who contravenes or fails to comply with a provision of
these Regulations commits an offence against these Regulations.
Maximum penalty: 17 penalty units.
Schedule 1 Table of Forms
Coroners Regulations 1994 6
Schedule 1 Table of Forms
regulation 15
Section of Act Description of Form Number of Form
11 Record in relation to an
investigation
3
17 Certificate permitting the
disposal of a body
4
19(2) Written authorisation of
a member f the Police
Force to enter a
specified place, &c.
5
19(4) Undertaking to comply
with conditions of
release
6
20 Direction to medical
practitioner to perform
an autopsy
7
24(1) Order to exhume body 8
32(1) Notice of restriction of
access to the place
where a disaster has
occurred
9
33(2) Written authorisation of
a member of the Police
Force to enter a
specified place, &c.
5
33(4) Undertaking to comply
with conditions of
release
6
41(1) Summons to attend as a
witness or to produce a
document or materials
10
41(4) Warrant to arrest a
person who does not
appear
11
42 Exclusion Order 12
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 7
Schedule 2
FORM 1
regulation 4
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 12
Coroners Act 1993
INITIAL NOTIFICATION OF DEATH FOR CORONER
Details of Deceased
Name:
Address:
Sex: M/F*
Age:
D.O.B:
Occupation:
D.O.D:
Apparent cause of death (Tick where applicable):
Suicide Poisons/Drugs Road/MVA Other
Natural Causes Gas Poisoning Industrial Accident
Violence Electrocution Mining Accident
Did Doctor attend? Yes/No*
Can Doctor certify cause of death? Yes/No*
Did deceased suffer previous injury or illness? Yes/No*
If yes – particulars:
Circumstances of death:
Any suspicious circumstances? Yes/No*
Any person to be charged in relation to death? Yes/No*
If yes – particulars:
Person who reported death
Name:
Address:
Where body found:
The body is at:
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 8
Member
Reporting
(print)
Reg No. Rank Station Date Divisional
Officer
Signature
Reporting member shall:
Notify death in first instance to Coroner's Constable and Divisional
Officer by telephone/telex/radio etc.
Complete form in triplicate before completion of tour of duty:
Side A – Death, Side B – Fires.
Ensure original and duplicate forms are delivered to Coroner:
(a) within Darwin/Alice Springs by 0900 hours the day
immediately following death or fire.
(b) in country areas forward original immediately to coroner at
centre nearest to where death or fire occurred.
Forward triplicate copy immediately to Divisional Officer.
Ensure deceased identified as soon as possible.
Remember that this is only an initial report. Complete a full report
and comply with other relevant provisions contained in General
Order "Coroners and Inquests" – Code C9.
Delete if not applicable.
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 9
FORM 2
regulation 10(2)
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 31
Coroners Act 1993
INITIAL NOTIFICATION OF FIRE FOR CORONER
Location of Fire:
Date: Time:
Type of Fire:
Fire Brigade Notified by:
Time Brigade Attended:
Fire Officers Reported By:
Suspected Cause:
How Extinguished:
Description of Property Destroyed or Damaged:
Insured: Yes/No Name of Insurance Company:
Value of Property:
If person Injured/Deceased*
Name:
D.O.B:
Address:
Nature of Injury:
*Note – If deceased complete Side "A" as well
Give Brief Summary of Circumstances:
Member
Reporting
(print)
Reg No. Rank Station Date Divisional
Officer
Signature
Reporting member shall:
Notify Coroner's Constable and Divisional Officer of fire in first
instance by telephone/telex/radio etc.
Complete form in triplicate before completion of tour of duty:
Side A – Death, Side B – Fires.
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 10
3. Ensure original and duplicate forms are delivered to Coroner:
(a) within Darwin/Alice Springs by 0900 hours the day
immediately following death or fire.
(b) in country areas forward original immediately to coroner at
centre nearest to where death or fire occurred.
4. Forward triplicate copy immediately to Divisional Officer.
5. Ensure deceased identified as soon as possible.
6. Remember that this is only an initial report. Complete a full report
and comply with other relevant provisions contained in General
Order "Coroners and Inquests" – Code C9.
Delete if not applicable
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 11
FORM 3
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 11
Coroners Act 1993
RECORD OF INVESTIGATION INTO DEATH OR DISASTER
I, , Coroner, having investigated:
*The death of
*A disaster which occurred at
*Without holding an inquest.
*With an inquest held at
on 19 .
*Find that:
*The identity of the deceased was
and that death occurred in / / at
from (state cause of death) in the following circumstances:
*The cause and origin of the disaster was and the circumstances in
which the fire occurred were:
And I further find that
contributed to:
*the cause of death/the disaster.
Comments:
Coroner
Delete if not applicable
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 12
FORM 4
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 17
Coroners Act 1993
CORONER'S CERTIFICATE
Case No:
Rel No:
IJIS ID:
Full name of deceased:
Usual residence of deceased person:
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the death of was duly
reported to a coroner on .
In the medical report of it was stated that the
cause of death was:
I have authorised the disposal of human remains, and I am satisfied that no
circumstance exists that can render necessary any further examination of the
remains, any analysis of any body part or the making of any toxicological
examination. There is no reason why the remains should not be buried,
cremated, disposed of or taken out of the Territory for disposal.
Dated 19 .
Coroner
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 13
FORM 5
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
sections 19(2)
and 33(2)
Coroners Act 1993
CORONER'S AUTHORITY TO A MEMBER OF THE POLICE FORCE
Case No.
I, , coroner, reasonably believing it necessary for investigating:
*the death of
*a disaster
AUTHORISE , a member of the Police Force:
*to enter (specify place)
*to inspect (specify place)
and anything in it.
*to take a copy of (specify documents or classes of documents)
*to take possession of (specify things or classes of things) at or between the
hours of and during the period commencing
the day of 19 and concluding on the day
of 19 (such period not to exceed one month after the date of this
authority).
Dated at the day of 19 .
Coroner
Delete those not applicable
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 14
FORM 6
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
sections 19(4)
and 33(4)
Coroners Act 1993
UNDERTAKING TO COMPLY WITH CONDITIONS OF RELEASE
Description of things
Kept pursuant to section 19 or 33
I, , coroner, having taken possession of the things
specified above pursuant to section 19 or 33 of the Coroners Act 1993, for the
purpose of an investigation into
*A disaster which occurred at
*The death of
Authorise the release of
To
Of
On conditions that
I, , enter this undertaking and acknowledge receipt
of a copy thereof setting out my obligations concerning the conditions of
release of the things specified in this undertaking and I acknowledge that if I
fail to comply with these conditions that I am liable to a penalty.
Signature of person entering undertaking
I satisfied myself before releasing the things specified in this undertaking that
understood the nature and extent of his/her obligations under the conditions of
this undertaking and the consequences of his/her failure to comply with them.
Undertaking entered on / / at in the Northern Territory before me.
Coroner
Delete if not applicable
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 15
FORM 7
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 20
Coroners Act 1993
DIRECTION TO PERFORM AUTOPSY
Case No:
Rel No:
IJIS ID:
I, , a coroner for the Northern Territory, hereby order you,
, a medical practitioner, to perform an autopsy upon the body of
which is now lying at the Mortuary, in .
Dated 19 at in the Northern Territory.
Coroner
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 16
FORM 8
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 24(1)
Coroners Act 1993
ORDER TO TAKE AND REMOVE HUMAN REMAINS FOR AUTOPSY
To a member of the Police Force of the Northern Territory of
Australia and to all others whom it may concern.
Whereas under the Coroners Act 1993 I, a coroner (or deputy coroner) for the
Territory am required to hold an inquest into the death of
whose remains are at present lying at
And whereas I have directed that an autopsy of the remains be made.
I therefore, charge and command you that you forthwith with such assistance
as may be necessary take and remove the remains of
to
so that an autopsy can there be made upon the remains according to law and
for so doing this is your warrant.
Given under my hand this day of 19 .
Coroner
(or Deputy Coroner)
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 17
FORM 9
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 32(1)
Coroners Act 1993
NOTICE RESTRICTING ACCESS TO DISASTER AREA
"RESTRICTED AREA
NO ENTRY WITHOUT
CORONER'S AUTHORITY
MAXIMUM PENALTY: 40 PENALTY UNITS OR IMPRISONMENT FOR
6 MONTHS
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 18
FORM 10
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 41(1)
Coroners Act 1993
SUMMONS TO ATTEND AS A WITNESS OR TO PRODUCE MATERIALS
To of :
You are required to appear before me, the undersigned, a coroner (or deputy
coroner) for the Northern Territory of Australia, at in the
Territory on the day of at o'clock in the , then and
there to testify what you know concerning the death of (or a
certain disaster that occurred on or about the day of 19 , at
in the Territory) and also to bring the following books,
documents and other things, or such of them as are in your possession or
control:
Dated at this day of 19 .
Coroner
(or Deputy Coroner)
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 19
FORM 11
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 41(4)
Coroners Act 1993
WARRANT FOR THE ARREST OF A PERSON WHO DOES NOT APPEAR
To the members of the Police Force of the Northern Territory of Australia:
Whereas of
in that Territory, having been duly summoned to appear before me and my
inquest at on the day of 19 , at in the
Territory, to give evidence (or produce materials) concerning the death
of (or a certain disaster that occurred on or about
the day of 19 , at in the Territory) has failed to
appear at the said time and place and give evidence (or produce materials):
These are therefore to command you forthwith to apprehend the abovenamed
and bring him before me to be dealt with according to law.
Given under my hand this day of 19 .
Coroner
(or Deputy Coroner)
Schedule 2
Coroners Regulations 1994 20
FORM 12
regulation 15
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
section 42
Coroners Act 1993
ORDER EXCLUDING PEOPLE FROM AN INQUEST
Ref. No.
This inquest is being held into
The death of
Which happened on Day Month Year
The disaster at Postcode
Which happened on Day Month Year
Information about the order
Who does it apply to?
The Coroner has ordered that the following people:
must not enter the room where the inquest is being held.
How long does it apply?
This order applies:
From Time Day Month Year
To Time Day Month Year
For the whole of the inquest.
What if I have been summoned?
You must wait outside the room until you are called in to give evidence or
deliver documents or other materials.
Information about the making of the order
Made by State Coroner
coroner
Where
When Time Day Month Year
Signature
ENDNOTES
Coroners Regulations 1994 21
ENDNOTES
1 KEY
Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Coroners Regulations (SL No. 5, 1994)
Notified 31 March 1994
Commenced 3 April 1994 (r 2, s 2 Coroners Act 1993 (Act No. 30, 1993)
and Gaz S24, 31 March 1994)
Legal Profession (Consequential Amendments) Act 2007 (Act No. 7, 2007)
Assent date 17 May 2007
Commenced s 10: 1 July 2007 (Gaz G26, 27 June 2007, p 3);
rem: 17 May 2007
Justice Legislation Amendment (Penalties) Act 2010 (Act No. 12, 2010)
Assent date 20 May 2010
Commenced 1 July 2010 (Gaz G24, 16 June 2010, p 2)
Burial and Cremation Act 2022 (Act No. 16, 2022)
Assent date 9 August 2022
Commenced 28 November 2022 (Gaz S60, 23 November 2022)
3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: r 1 and sch 2
4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
r 9 amd Act No. 7, 2007, s 16
r 16 amd Act No. 12, 2010, s 3
Sch 2 amd Act No. 12, 2010, s 3; Act No. 16, 2022, s 222