Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

15.   Inquest in case of murder, manslaughter or Infanticide

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   (1)   If, before the conclusion of an inquest, a coroner is informed that some person has been charged before a court with the murder, manslaughter or infanticide of the deceased person, the coroner shall, in the absence of reason to the contrary, adjourn the inquest until after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.

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   (2)   Where, at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, the court discharges the person charged, the proper officer shall give notice in writing of the result of the criminal proceedings to the coroner responsible for holding the inquest.

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   (3)   Where the criminal proceedings have been terminated for any reason other than that referred to in subsection (2), the proper officer shall give notice in writing of the result of the criminal proceedings to the coroner responsible for holding the inquest.

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   (4)   Subject to subsection (5), after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, the coroner may resume the adjourned inquest if he or she is of the opinion that there is sufficient reason for doing so.

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   (5)   When in the course of the criminal proceedings any person has been charged on indictment, then, upon the resumed inquest no inquisition shall charge that person with an offence of which he or he could have been convicted on the indictment or contain any finding which is inconsistent with the determination of any matter by the result of the said proceedings.

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   (6)   Where a coroner resumes an inquest under this section, he or she shall proceed in all respects as if the inquest had not been previously begun and this Act shall apply as if the resumed inquest were a fresh inquest.

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   (7)   Where an inquest is not resumed, the coroner shall furnish to the registrar of deaths of the district, a certificate stating the result of the criminal proceedings and the particulars necessary for the registration of the death so far as they have been ascertained at the inquest and that registrar shall enter the death and particulars in the form and manner prescribed under the Civil Code.

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   (8)   The provisions of section 11(6) shall not apply in respect of an inquest held under this section.

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   (9)   For purposes of this section, “criminal proceedings” means the proceedings before a magistrate or before any court to which the accused person is committed for trial or before which he or she has appealed.