---
title: "Non-publication or closed-court order at a NSW inquest: structure (s 74)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/non-publication-order-structure-nsw"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a61-non-publication-order-structure-nsw"
area_id: "A61"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A61-V20261018-4", "A61-V20261018-8"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Non-publication or closed-court order at a NSW inquest: structure (s 74)

> Structure for asking a NSW coroner to close the court or prohibit publication of evidence or of submissions about an indictable offence, using the public-interest matters in s 74.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/non-publication-order-structure-nsw  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

- Kind: Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
- Practice area: [Coronial Inquests](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests.md)
- Jurisdictions: New South Wales
- AI level: Yellow. You and the tool draft together, with you directing. You check every statement you rely on.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-22
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-22 against the authority it cites, for New South Wales.

## When to use it

Use when a person with leave to appear at a NSW inquest wants a closed court or a non-publication order under s 74. The lawyer writes the application. The checklist keeps it to the matters the section allows the coroner to consider.

## Used for these tasks

- [Prepare an application for leave to appear at an inquest](https://ailawframework.com/practice/coronial-inquests/prepare-an-application-for-leave-to-appear-at-an-inquest.md)
- [Prepare the submissions on findings and recommendations at the end of an inquest](https://ailawframework.com/practice/coronial-inquests/prepare-the-submissions-on-findings-and-recommendations-at-the-end-of-an.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may list the evidence sought to be withheld and the s 74(2) matters it might bear on; the lawyer decides the order sought and writes the application.

**AI may:**

- List the passages or topics for which an order is being considered, from the brief
- Place each topic beside one of the matters named in s 74(2)

**AI must not:**

- Must not draft the application or the submissions
- Must not invent a ground that is not the public interest as s 74 states it
- Must not include a witness statement

**The lawyer checks:**

- The order sought is one of the three orders in s 74(1), not a general suppression invented for the case
- The application deals with the principle that coronial proceedings should generally be open
- The client knows that contravening an order is an offence, and the maximum stated in s 74(3)

## Authorities

- [Coroners Act 2009 (NSW) s 74 (power to clear the court or prohibit publication of evidence, or of submissions about whether a known person may have committed an indictable offence, if in the public interest)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca2009120/s74.html)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/non-publication-order-structure-nsw and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*