Area Coroner

Job Introduction

Area Coroner for Worcestershire – Full time (37hours)

Salary £113,309 pa

Closing date: 28th June 2026, 1pm

Worcestershire County Council is seeking to appoint an Area Coroner. This is a new post. 

About the post: 

The Area Coroner will work closely with the Senior Coroner to provide judicial leadership to the coroner team as well as conducting their own coroner investigations and inquests. The area coroner is the nominated deputy for the Senior Coroner when the senior coroner is absent. The Area Coroner will be expected on occasion to be available out of hours on a rota based system. 

Worcestershire County Council is looking for an exceptional candidate with excellent proven organisational, management and efficiency skills, as well as experience of exercising sound judgement and communicating effectively. In this role, you will work closely with the senior coroner and local authority to ensure the running of an efficient coroner service that puts the bereaved at the heart of the service. Collaborative working with the senior coroner, local authority, the police and other stakeholders is essential. 

You will be required to demonstrate knowledge and experience of coroner law and of basic medicine, have proven skills in conducting investigations and an understanding of court procedure. You will also need to demonstrate the excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal with sensitive situations.  

It is desirable that the successful candidate has proven experience of running or sharing running a coroner’s jurisdiction including carrying out investigations, case management, and conducting inquests. 

Who can apply: 

The successful candidate will be a barrister or a solicitor or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and satisfy the judicial-appointment eligibility condition which means they will have five years of experience whilst holding that qualification. They will be under the age of 75, have experience of working as an assistant coroner or area coroner and be subject to the appointment and eligibility conditions within the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (s.23 and Schedule 3).

Statutory Terms of the Appointment: 

Once a Coroner is appointed they are then a Judicial Office holder until they reach the age of 75 years (compulsory retirement age) unless they choose to resign or are removed by the Lord Chief Justice or Lord Chancellor prior to their 75th birthday. 

How to apply: 

Suitably qualified applicants are requested to email their CV and supporting statement (which should include disclosure of any convictions or disciplinary proceedings) to scaldwell@worcestershire.gov.uk

If you wish to have an informal discussion or arrange a visit, please contact Sharon Caldwell, Head of Coroner, Registration and Resettlement Services on 01905 843602

Closing date: 13:00 on the 28th June 2026

Sift return date: 3rd July 2026

Interview invitations will be sent out: w/c 3rd August 2026

Interview dates: 17th and possibly 20th August 2026

If you do not hear by 3rd August 2026 please assume you have not been shortlisted.

The interview panel will be:

David Reid, Senior Coroner

Sharon Caldwell, Head of Service

Louise Hunt, Senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull (Chief Coroners representative)

We are aiming for the successful candidate to take up post in November 2026.