---
title: "Asking for an inquest after a coroner has dispensed with one (NSW)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/path-to-an-inquest-nsw"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a61-path-to-an-inquest-nsw"
area_id: "A61"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A61-V20261018-3"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-22"
---

# Asking for an inquest after a coroner has dispensed with one (NSW)

> The NSW steps when a family or another interested person wants an inquest that a coroner has dispensed with: reasons, a direction from the State Coroner, and an application to the Supreme Court.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/coronial-inquests/path-to-an-inquest-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 4 authorities it cites, for New South Wales.

## When to use it

Use when a NSW coroner has dispensed with an inquest, or is considering doing so, and the client wants an inquest held. Work through the coroner and the State Coroner before an application to the Supreme Court.

## Used for these tasks

- [Prepare the family's request for an inquest or for review of a decision not to hold one](https://ailawframework.com/practice/coronial-inquests/prepare-the-family-s-request-for-an-inquest-or-for-review-of-a-decision.md)

## How AI may be used

AI may enter the coroner's decision and the dates, and list the documents already held; the lawyer decides which step to take and writes any request or application.

**AI may:**

- Enter the date the inquest was dispensed with and the date reasons were requested or received
- List documents on the file that bear on the matters in s 27, for the lawyer to assess

**AI must not:**

- Must not decide that an inquest is required under s 27
- Must not draft the request for reasons, the request to the State Coroner, or a Supreme Court application
- Must not draft a witness statement

**The lawyer checks:**

- Section 27 is checked before anyone is told the coroner was free to dispense with the inquest
- Reasons are requested under s 26 before a direction or a court application, unless urgency makes that impossible
- A Supreme Court application is served on the Minister as s 86 requires

## Authorities

- [Coroners Act 2009 (NSW) s 25 (coroner may dispense with an inquest unless one is required) and s 27 (circumstances in which an inquest is required)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca2009120/s25.html)
- [Coroners Act 2009 (NSW) s 26 (written reasons for dispensing with an inquest, on request by a person the coroner considers has a sufficient interest)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca2009120/s26.html)
- [Coroners Act 2009 (NSW) s 28 (Minister or State Coroner may direct that an inquest be held) and s 29 (State Coroner may direct an inquest where one was dispensed with)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca2009120/s28.html)
- [Coroners Act 2009 (NSW) s 84 (Supreme Court may order that an inquest be held if necessary or desirable in the interests of justice) and s 86 (notice of an application by someone other than the Minister must be served on the Minister)](https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca2009120/s84.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/path-to-an-inquest-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.*