Psychiatrists and the Coroner: Understanding the Coronial Process

After the inaugural ASoP symposium Aftermath: Lessons from the Bondi Junction Inquest, many psychiatrists and trainees expressed a desire to better understand the coronial process, the role it plays when deaths occur in the community, and how best to prepare for it.

In response, the Australian Society of Psychiatrists (ASoP), with the support of Avant, is hosting a dedicated online seminar to explore the interface between psychiatry and the Coroner’s Court.

Coronial matters are not rare in psychiatric practice. Medicolegal data shows that one in eight psychiatrists each year are involved in a complaint, claim or coronial matter, and over a quarter (27%) of these matters are coronial cases . While most cases are ultimately resolved without an inquest, the process can be prolonged, complex and emotionally demanding.

This session will provide a clear, practical overview of:

• The role and purpose of the Coroner’s Court

• How coronial investigations and inquests unfold

• What psychiatrists may be asked to do if involved

• How accountability is considered within the process

• Practical guidance for preparing reports and giving evidence

Our speakers bring expertise from the coronial, clinical and medico-legal domains, offering a rare opportunity to demystify the process and support psychiatrists to navigate it with confidence.

This event reflects ASoP’s commitment to listening to our members and providing practical, relevant education on issues that directly affect psychiatric practice.

Speakers

A/Prof. Hugh Dillon

Hugh is a senior judicial expert and barrister with extensive experience in coronial and mental health law. He served as a Deputy State Coroner of NSW and as a Deputy President of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal, where he reviewed forensic patients under the Mental Health Act.

Hugh is an Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales Law School and practises as a barrister from Maurice Byers Chambers. He is co-author of Waller's Coronial Law and Practice in New South Wales and The Australasian Coroner's Manual and has made a significant contribution to legal scholarship and practice at the intersection of mental health, the courts and public accountability.

Prof. Chris Ryan

Chris is a psychiatrist with leading expertise in mental health law and ethics. He is Director of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at St Vincent's Hospital and holds academic appointments at the University of Notre Dame Australia and the University of New South Wales.

Chris has an extensive medicolegal practice and has provided over 200 expert reports across civil, coronial and tribunal jurisdictions. His academic work focuses on mental health law, ethics, suicide prevention and complex decision-making at the interface of medicine, psychiatry and the law.

Mr John Kamaras

John has been with Avant as a solicitor since 2001 and has broad experience with most areas of health law, with a specific interest in coronial law. John has acted for members involved in coronial inquests, medical negligence claims, disciplinary proceedings, Medicare investigations and criminal proceedings. He has also published and presented numerous articles and talks in the area of coronial law. In his role as Legal Team Manager, John leads a team of solicitors and their support staff, in addition to running matters and providing medicolegal advice and education. Facilitator Dr Amy Corderoy Amy is a trainee psychiatrist and serves on the ASoP Board of Directors. As well as practising full-time as a doctor, she is undertaking a PhD at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) examining the use of involuntary inpatient psychiatric treatment. Her research interests include medical ethics and the interaction between psychiatry and the law. In 2025, she was awarded the UNSW HDR Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health Best Paper Award.

Prior to medicine, Amy was an award-winning journalist who worked for a number of publications, including in the role of Health Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald. She has received the National Press Club's Excellence in Health Journalism Award, the Public Health Association of Australia's President's Award, and the National Prescribing Service Media Award.