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The Coroner's role

The Coroner is responsible for the investigation of violent or unnatural deaths, sudden deaths of unknown cause and deaths in custody that are reported to them.

A death may be reported for a number of reasons. It doesn't mean that there is anything suspicious about the death. It may be that the doctor is unsure of the exact cause, or that the person has died earlier than expected, suffered from an industrial disease, died during a surgical operation, or before recovery from an anaesthetic.

Although appointed and paid by local councils, the Coroner is not a local government officer but holds office under the Crown.

The Senior Coroner for Norfolk is an independent judicial officer presiding over a Court of Record within the English Judicial system. They are assisted by an Area Coroner and five Assistant Coroners:

Senior Coroner

  • Jacqueline Lake

Area Coroners

  • Yvonne Blake
  • Samantha Goward

Assistant Coroners

  • Christopher Leach
  • Simon Milburn
  • Nigel Parsley
  • Johanna Thompson

The Guide to coroner services and coroner investigations tells you what standards of performance are to be expected in the Norfolk Coroner service, and what to do if something goes wrong.

The Coroner discharges her duties in accordance with the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the Coroners Rules 2009, and other relevant legislation.