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Inquests Act

LAWS OF TONGA

[1988 Ed.]

CHAPTER 20

INQUESTS

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION
1. Short title.
2. Duty of District Officer and medical practitioner.
3. Inquest by magistrate.
4. Notice of inquest.

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Acts Nos. 17 of 1903, 25 of 1912, 10 of 1939, 8 of 1944, 14 of 1988

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR INQUESTS

[21st September, 1912]

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as The Inquests Act.

Duty of District Officer and medical practitioner.

2. Should any person die suddenly his body shall not be buried until the District Officer has been informed and the nearest Medical Practitioner has seen the body and if such Practitioner or the District Officer shall think the death suspicious he shall inform the police in order that an inquest may be held but if the police cannot be immediately informed the District Officer himself shall hold an inquest into the cause of death after which the body may be buried:

Provided that a full report of such inquest shall be sent to the inspector of police before the expiration of one week from the date of the inquiry.
(Amended by Act 10 of 1939, Act 8 of 1944 and Act 14 of 1988.)

Inquest by magistrate.

3. The inquest required to be held under section 2 shall be held by Inquest by the magistrate of the district when possible and if it be not possible for the magistrate to hold the inquest it shall be held by the District Officer and the magistrate and District Officer shall have power to summon witnesses and to empanel a jury of 4 Tongans of or over the age of 21 years and the evidence of the witnesses shall be taken down in writing after they have been sworn. The evidence of the Medical Practitioner may be taken by the production of a report signed by him. (Amended by Act 10 of 1939, Act 8 of 1944 and Act 14 of 1988.)

Notice of inquest.

4. Any person who may be implicated or appear to be implicated in the death of any one shall if possible receive notice of the time and place at which such an inquest will be held concerning such death and be required to attend the same but if he fail to attend the inquest shall be held in his absence.

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