Australian Capital Territory Current Acts

CORONERS ACT 1997 - SECT 39A

    (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.