Senior Coroner for Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley
Salary: £133,119 pa [to correspond to the JNC Coroners Circular 69]
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking to appoint a new Senior Coroner to replace the current post-holder who retires on 30th June 2025.
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. You will be expected to conduct inquests which are difficult, complex, or likely to attract significant publicity. The number of reported deaths per annum is 2025, and accordingly, we appoint our Senior Coroner on a full-time basis, including payment for out of hours availability (24/7, HOPM, Organ Donation, faith deaths, etc.).
Sefton Metropolitan Borough 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 manager to ensure value for money, performance, and financial efficiencies. Collaborative working with the local authority, the police, and other stakeholders is essential.
You will be required to demonstrate knowledge and experience of coroner law and basic medicine, have proven skills in conducting investigations, and an understanding of court procedure. You will also need to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal with sensitive situations.
Minimum Requirements:
The successful candidate must have proven experience of running or sharing the running of a coroner’s jurisdiction, including carrying out investigations, case management, and conducting inquests.
Who can apply:
The successful candidate will be a barrister, 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 must be under the age of 75, have experience 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 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.
If you wish to have an informal discussion or arrange a visit, please contact David McCullough, Chief Legal and Democratic Officer with Sefton MBC on 07973 297719.
The vacancy for this post has been notified to the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor (as required by statute).
#J-18808-Ljbffr