(1) The jury shall, when they retire to consider their verdict, be kept in a private place under the charge of a person designated by the coroner.
(2) Other than the person in charge of the jury, a person shall not speak to or communicate in any way with any of the jurors without leave of the coroner.
(3) The person in charge of the jury shall not speak to or communicate with any of the jurors on or about the subject matter of the inquest.
(4) A contravention of this section does not affect the validity of the proceedings.
(5) If a contravention of this section is before the verdict of the jury is returned and the coroner is of the opinion that the contravention might lead to a miscarriage of justice, the coroner may discharge the jury and direct that a new jury be sworn and, in that case, the inquest shall proceed in all respects as if no proceedings had taken place.
(6) A person who contravenes subsection (2) or (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.