Last updated 20 January 2022

A coroner will hand down findings at the conclusion of an inquest. If you are not satisfied with a finding the coroner made, you may wish to seek a review (see Review of Decisions Made by a Coroner).

The State Coroner may set aside a finding in two circumstances:

If the State Coroner decides to set aside a finding, then they may reopen the inquest to reconsider that finding, hold a new inquest or direct another coroner to take one of these steps (s 50(6) Coroners Act).

If the State Coroner refuses to set aside a finding, then you can apply to the District Court for a review of the finding, even if your application to the District Court is on the same or substantially the same grounds as your previous application to the State Coroner (s 50(2) Coroners Act).

The District Court may set aside a finding in four scenarios:

  • new evidence casts doubt on the finding
  • the finding was not correctly recorded
  • there was no evidence to support the finding
  • the finding could not be reasonably supported by the evidence (s 50(5) Coroners Act).

If the District Court decides to set aside a finding, the District Court may order the State Coroner to reopen the inquest to reconsider that finding, hold a new inquest or direct another coroner to take one of these steps (s 50(7) Coroners Act).

Review of comments or recommendations made by the coroner 

There is no legal right under the legislation allowing people to seek review of comments or recommendations, as distinct from formal findings, made by a coroner.