Changes Ahead for the Coronial System – David Pojur

As Her Honour Judge Alexia Durran (Old Bailey judge) takes the helm as the new Chief Coroner, she is set to shape the future of the coronial system with key appointments. Having served as Deputy Chief Coroner for the past five years, she is hitting the ground running as Chief Coroner. Senior Coroner Derek Winter, her counterpart, will be retiring from the bench at the end of this year.

To support her in leading the coronial service, two new Deputy Chief Coroners will be appointed: one from among the Senior Coroners and the other from the Circuit Judges, although High Court Judges can also apply (albeit rare).

In addition to these appointments, seven new Judicial Coronial Leads will be selected (from Senior or Area Coroners) to represent various regions across the UK: London, Midlands, North, North East, South East, South West, and Wales.

We can anticipate further guidance from the Chief Coroner in the near future, including a new Coroner’s Bench Book and additional Chief Coroner Guidance aimed at enhancing consistency across independent coroner jurisdictions. PFD’s in particular- when a Court should and should not make one, seem to be a continuing source of interest. These changes signal a robust and clear judicial direction for the system.