(1) Subject to the directions of the Chief Coroner, a deputy coroner has and may exercise the functions of a coroner.
(2) The Chief Coroner must not direct a deputy coroner to hold an inquest into a death in care or death in custody.
(3) A deputy coroner who is a doctor is not competent or compellable to hold an inquest into the cause of the death of a person whom the deputy coroner attended professionally at or immediately before the death of the person or during the last illness of the person.