Part 3: Investigations, legal proceedings etc. and release of prisoners Civil proceedings, inquests and police complaints Section 44: Inquests, investigations and inquiries
This section, together with Schedule 11, makes provision in relation to Troubles-related inquests and coronial investigations in England & Wales and Northern Ireland and equivalent processes in Scotland.
	Subsection (1) inserts three new sections after section 16 of the Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959.
	New section 16A applies to all inquests in Northern Ireland into deaths resulting directly from the Troubles which began before 1 May 2024, with the exception of cases where, on that date, the only part of the inquest which remains to be carried out is the final determination, verdict or findings, or something subsequent to that (such as the making of a report). In respect of inquests to which the section applies, the coroner with conduct is prohibited from continuing the inquest after 1 May 2024 (subsection (2)) and must, as soon as is practicable, bring the inquest to a close (including by discharging the jury, where applicable) (subsection (3)). Subsection (4) makes clear that the provision in section 14(1) of the 1959 Act which requires a coroner to conduct an inquest is subject to these new provisions.
	New section 16B applies so as to prohibit the commencement of new Troubles-related inquests after 1 May 2024 (the date on which section 44 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 comes into force). This applies both to decisions by coroners as well as to the use of the power of the Attorney General or Advocate General for Northern Ireland under section 14 of the 1959 Act to direct that an inquest take place.
	New section 16C defines terms used in new sections 16A and B.