Senior Coroner

Senior Coroner for Gateshead and South Tyneside
Salary £142,255 pa (pay award pending)
Closing date: 12 noon on Monday 14 September 2026

South Tyneside Council, as lead authority for the Gateshead and South Tyneside Coroner Area, is seeking to appoint a new Senior Coroner to replace the current post-holder who is retiring.

About the Post:
The Senior Coroner stands at the head of the local coroner service and statutory coroner area and takes the lead on coroner work and will be expected to conduct inquests which are difficult or complex or will be likely to attract significant publicity.

The number of reported deaths pa is 1,250 plus. Accordingly, we appoint our Senior Coroner with a salary on a full-time basis.

The salary will include payment for out of hours availability by agreement. 

South Tyneside 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. You will work closely with the 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 local authority, the police and other stakeholders is essential.

You will be required to demonstrate knowledge and experience of coronial 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 essential that the successful candidate has proven experience of conducting the administration of 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 a Senior Coroner, area coroner or assistant 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:
The candidate pack is available under Supporting Documents as well as Apply Now, with further information. 

If you wish to have an informal discussion or arrange a visit, please contact Angie Coutts, Governance and Corporate Affairs Officer View phone number on northeastjobs.org.uk).

Suitably qualified applicants are requested to email their CV and supporting statement (which should include disclosure of any convictions or disciplinary proceedings) to Lucy Keating, Interim Director of Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer at South Tyneside Council) (View email address on northeastjobs.org.uk).