Regina v West Yorkshire Coroner ex parte Smith (No 2): QBD 3 Oct 1984

The applicant was involved in a coroner’s hearing regarding the death of his daughter. During the hearing, he accused one witness of having murdered her. The accusation was reported. He was fined andpound;50.00 for contempt of court. He sought judicial review saying that a coroner’s court, not being a court of record, had no power of punishment for contempt.
Held: The court was an inferior court but did have the power to punish a contempt in the face of the court. Such a power was necessary to keep order in a court.

Citations:

[1985] 1 All ER 100, Times 03-Oct-1984

Statutes:

Coroners Act 1887

Jurisdiction:

England and Wales

Coroners, Contempt of Court

Updated: 14 May 2022; Ref: scu.254528