Section 10Part 0 —
Proof at an inquest by written statement
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At an inquest, a written statement by any person is admissible as evidence to the like extent as oral evidence to the like effect by that person if —
the statement purports to be signed by the person who made it; and
the statement contains a declaration by that person to the effect that it is true to the best of that person's knowledge and belief and that that person made the statement knowing that, if it were tendered in evidence, that person would be liable to prosecution if that person wilfully stated in it anything which that person knew to be false or did not believe to be true.
The following provisions shall also have effect in relation to a written statement tendered in evidence under subsection (1) —
if the statement is made by a person under the age of eighteen years, it shall give that person's age; and
if the statement is made by a person who cannot read, it shall be read to that person before that person signs it or attests it by that person's mark, and shall be accompanied by a declaration by the person who read the statement to that person to the effect that it was so read and that that person expressed agreement with it.
Notwithstanding that a written statement by any person may be admissible as evidence under subsection (1), the Coroner may require that person to attend at the inquest and give evidence.
So much of any statement as is admitted in evidence under subsection (1) shall, unless the Coroner otherwise directs, be read aloud at the inquest, and, where the Coroner so directs, an account shall be given orally of so much of any statement as is not read aloud.
Any document or object referred to as an exhibit and identified in a written statement tendered in evidence under subsection (1) shall be treated as if it had been produced as an exhibit and identified at the inquest by the maker of the statement.
A person who, in a written statement tendered in evidence at an inquest under subsection (1), wilfully makes a statement material in those proceedings which that person knows to be false or does not believe to be true, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for seven years.