History
The office of coroner in New South Wales derives from the legal framework inherited from the United Kingdom.
Arthur Phillip, the first governor of the colony of New South Wales, was authorised by the British monarch to appoint such officials as were necessary for the administration of justice in the colony. This authority came to Phillip through what is commonly called the "second commission". One of the offices that he could appoint was that of coroner.
In the early days of the colony, the role of the coroner was often performed by a justice of the peace. The first inquiry in the nature of a coronial inquest was conducted on 14 December 1788. This was presided over by Augustus Alt, one of the first justices of the peace appointed by Phillip.
Read more about this topic: Coroner's Court Of New South Wales
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