‘CAITLIN’S LAW’ HAS PASSED IN NSW: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

In mid-October 2026, the NSW Government announced plans to introduce ‘Caitlin’s Law’ - an important amendment to the Coroners Act, preventing abusers or estranged partners from automatically weaponising next-of-kin status.

The new laws give the Coroner the power to appoint an alternative next-of-kin, in cases where a deceased person’s partner has been accused of domestic violence or is estranged.

Under previous NSW intestate laws, a spouse or de facto partner automatically became a deceased person’s senior next-of-kin.

This meant accused abusers or estranged partners retained control over funeral arrangements, personal belongings & coronial processes, often shutting out the victim’s grieving family.

Under ‘Caitlin’s Law’, the Coroner will have the power to appoint an alternative next-of-kin, preventing abusers or estranged partners from weaponizing their next-of-kin status.

The law was named in honour of Hunter Valley woman, Caitlin Rose Thornton, whose family was blocked from holding her funeral for weeks after her death, because her former partner, who faced assault charges, held legal next-of-kin rights.

The change comes amid renewed concern about domestic and family violence, following a spate of alleged murders in NSW.

The reforms are part of a broader review into the coronial system, which the government says it will begin consulting on early next year.