Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022

Miscellaneous (Part 4)

31. (1) The Minister may issue guidelines for the purpose of providing practical guidance to a relevant body in respect of the performance by it of its functions under this Part.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), guidelines under that subsection may specify the matters that a relevant body shall have regard to in order to satisfy itself, for the purpose of section 28 (3) or 29 (3) that a person is deceased.

(3) A relevant body shall, no later than one month after the date on which it receives an application made in accordance with the section concerned—

(a) comply, as applicable, with section 27 (2), 28 (2), 29 (2) or 30 (2),

(b) comply, as applicable, with section 27 (5), 28 (4) or 30 (3), or

(c) where subsection (4) applies, inform the applicant concerned of that fact and the reasons for it, and of the effect of the subsection.

(4) Where a relevant body is unable, due to the complexity of the application concerned or the nature of the information, document or item sought under the application, to comply with paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (3), it shall comply with either paragraph not later than three months after the date on which it receives an application.