Victoria's chief coroner, Sara Hinchey, is standing aside from her duties after a complaint was made against her to the Judicial Commission of Victoria.
Judge Hinchey issued a brief statement saying she had been advised she was the subject of the complaint and was "preparing a response to the allegations".
However she will continue to act as a judge of the County Court.
Her duties in the Coroners Court will be handed to her deputy, Iain West, while the commission considered the matter, she said in a statement.
The Chief Justice, Chief Judge and Attorney General Martin Pakula have been informed.
Mr Pakula said it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter as it was before the commission.
"The work of the Coroners Court is critical, particularly to the many Victorian families seeking answers as they mourn the loss of loved ones," Judge Hinchey said in her statement.
"I do not wish for this issue to distract from this vital work."
Judge Hinchey has been state coroner for two-and-a-half years.
