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Reforms to the Coroners Act

The Coroners Act 2008 comes into force on 1 November 2009 and brings with it a number of changes and reforms.

As a result of these changes the State Coroner's Office will be established as the Coroners Court of Victoria, a specialist inquisitorial court. A Coronial Council of Victoria will also be established to provide advice, and make recommendations, to the Attorney-General.

There are also changes to the definitions of:

• reportable deaths
• medical procedure and examination
• reviewable deaths
• person placed in custody or care
• responsible person
• senior next of kin.

The changes affect medical and legal practitioners, and members of the Police, Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board.

The key changes and their implications including penalty units can be viewed in the following documents:

• Coroners Act 2008—What has changed?
• Coroners Act 2008—Revised Penalty Provisions