The role of the Coroner
The role of the Coroner is to investigate and record the causes and circumstances of all sudden deaths. This is where the cause of death is unknown, the death is violent or unnatural and any death which occurred whilst the deceased was in lawful custody.
The Senior Coroner is Mr Andrew Cox
The Assistant Coroner’s are Mr Guy Davies, Mr Stephen Covell and Ms Emma Hillson
If you have concerns about a death then you have the right to raise these concerns with the Coroner.
In the event of a sudden death, the Coroner will be informed either by the Police, the ambulance service or the GP. Initial enquiries are then undertaken by one of the Coroner’s Officers.
Notice
The Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Coroner’s Service is currently operating with reduced capacity following staff departures and an unsuccessful recruitment process. This is placing additional pressures on the Service and may result in delays to the scheduling and conclusion of some inquests.
To help manage the existing caseload and minimise delays, the Senior Coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will be seeking the approval of the Chief Coroner of England and Wales for cases to be transferred to the Senior Coroner for Devon under section 3 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. This will allow an Assistant Coroner appointed in Devon to hear cases in Cornwall at Pydar House, consistent with existing arrangements. Bereaved families in Cornwall will therefore not be required to travel to Devon for hearings.
Despite these measures, regrettably it will not be possible to hear all inquests within the current available capacity. Some hearings will therefore need to be adjourned until coroner availability improves, which is not currently anticipated before January 2028. We recognise the additional distress and uncertainty that delays can cause and sincerely apologise to the families affected by this disruption.
The Chief Coroner and the Strategic Director for Community Wellbeing in Cornwall Council have been informed of the situation.
Andrew Cox
HM Senior Coroner, Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
15/10/26