- 2.
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LAST RECOMMENDATION PROPOSED NO CHANGE TO THE LAW AND PRACTICE
RELATING TO THE ISSUE OF DEATH CERTIFICATES OR THE NOTIFICATION
OF DEATH TO THE CORONER.
NONETHELESS A NUMBER OF CRITICISMS OF THE LAW, PRACTICE
AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE CERTIFICATION OF DEATH AND THE
INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSES OF DEATH WERE MADE SUBSEQUENTLY
BY LAWYERS APPEARING FOR INTERESTED PARTIES AT DEATH INQUIRIES
AND SEPARATELY BY A FORMER HONG KONG CORONER (MR. JOHN HANSEN).
THOSE CRITICISMS WERE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. AS A RESULT, AND
IN THE LIGHT OF MY OWN THOUGHTS UPON EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS, A
BACKGROUND AND ISSUES PAPER WAS PREPARED IN MY CHAMBERS.
IN APRIL 1984 THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND I DECIDED TO REFER
THE MATTER OF DEATH CERTIFICATION AND CORONERS' FUNCTIONS AND
PROCEDURES TO THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION UNDER WIDE TERMS OF
REFERENCE. SINCE JUNE LAST YEAR A LAW REFORM COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEE,
CHAIRED BY THE HON. DR. HENRIETTA IP, HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK. IT
IS EXPECTED TO REPORT TO THE COMMISSION THIS AUTUMN.