Coroners
Coroners Court - Civil
Who are the Queensland coroners?
Queensland has seven full time coroners who are located in Cairns, Mackay, Brisbane and Southport. In addition, there is a registrar located in Brisbane who assists the coroners by investigating less complex matters such as deaths from natural causes.
The seven coroners are: the State Coroner, Mr Michael Barnes, the Deputy State Coroner, Ms Christine Clements, the Brisbane Coroner, Mr John Lock, the Regional Coroner, John Hutton, the Northern Coroner, Mr Kevin Priestly, the Central Coroner, Mr David O'Connell and the South Eastern Coroner, Mr James McDougall.
All reportable deaths are reported to one of the seven coroners or registrar. However, all Queensland magistrates are also appointed as coroners and can act in that role when required.
State Coroner
The state Coroner oversees and coordinates the Queensland coronial system to ensure that it is administered efficiently and appropriately. The state coroner issues guidelines (PDF File, 315.6 KB) and provides directions to other coroners about the conduct of coronial investigations.
Deputy State Coroner
The Deputy State Coroner is located in Brisbane and is primarily responsible for coronial investigations into deaths that occur in the Greater Brisbane and Sunshine Coast and South Queensland regions.
The Deputy State Coroner may also investigate deaths in custody and deaths occurring as a result of police operations and acts as the State Coroner when required.
Brisbane Coroner
The Brisbane Coroner, Mr John Lock is located in Brisbane and is responsible for investigating deaths occurring in the Greater Brisbane and Sunshine Coast and South Queensland regions.
Regional Coroner
The Regional Coroner, Mr John Hutton is located in Brisbane and is responsible for investigating deaths occurring in the Greater Brisbane and Sunshine Coast and South Queensland regions.
Northern Coroner
The Northern Coroner, Ms Jane Bentley is located in Cairns and is responsible for investigating deaths that occur in the North Queensland region which extends from Cairns south to Bowen, west to Mount Isa and north to the Papua New Guinea border.
Central Coroner
The Central Coroner, Mr David O'Connell is located in Mackay and is responsible for investigating deaths that occur in the Central Queensland region which extends from Proserpine and the Whitsundays in the north to Gayndah in the south.
Southern Coroner
The Southern Coroner, Mr James McDougall is located in Southport and is responsible for investigating deaths that occur in the Gold Coast area, Beenleigh and Logan.
Which coroner is dealing with a coronial investigation?
Usually reportable deaths are dealt with by the coroner who has jurisdiction for the area in which the person died. Exceptions apply for deaths in custody and deaths occurring as a result of police operations which are investigated by the State Coroner and the Deputy State Coroner.
The state has been divided into five regions with dedicated coroners responsible for investigating deaths reported in those regions. The regions are based on the Queensland Police Service divisions and districts. The five regions and responsible coroners are:
- North Queensland – Northern Coroner, Mr Kevin Priestly
- Central Queensland – Central Coroner, Mr David O’Connell
- Sunshine Coast and South Queensland – Deputy State Coroner, Ms Christine Clements, Brisbane Coroner, Mr John Lock, Regional Coroner, Mr John Hutton
- Greater Brisbane - Deputy State Coroner, Ms Christine Clements, Brisbane Coroner, Mr John Lock, Regional Coroner, Mr John Hutton
- South East Queensland – South Eastern Coroner, Mr James McDougall.
If you are unsure which coroner is handling the investigation you should contact the Office of the State Coroner for further assistance.