Coroner

In the event of a coroners report or inquest

The registration service has the duty to refer to the coroner all deaths which appear to have occurred from unnatural causes, violence, accident or industrial disease. The coroner may investigate and decide to order a post mortem, or in some cases, the coroner may decide to hold an inquest.

The coroner is an independent judicial officer who makes inquiries in to deaths for instance where the:

  • cause of death is unknown
  • deceased was not attended by a doctor within the previous 14 days prior to death or after death, or had not been seen by a doctor during the last illness
  • death was violent or unnatural or occurred under suspicious circumstances
  • death occurred during an operation or did not recover from an anaesthetic
  • death was due to an industrial disease
  • death occurred in prison or in police custody

Please note that the registration service has no information about when or where inquests are held. 

The coroner also holds inquests upon treasure trove, when items of archaeological or antiquarian value or interest are found in England and Wales. 

The coroner is assisted by coroner’s officers who make enquiries on his behalf and administrative staff - H M Coroner for Cheshire is:

Jacqueline Devonish
The West Annexe
Town Hall
Sankey Street
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1UH

Cheshire Coroner's officers can be contacted on the following numbers:  

  • Coroner's Officers 01606 363892
  • Senior Coroner's Officer:  01606 366868 
  • Administration Officers:  01925 444216

or by email to  coroners@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

Deaths can be reported on these numbers from Monday to Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 pm

For reportable deaths occurring outside those hours or over weekends, please report the matter to Cheshire Constabulary on telephone number 0845 458 0000.

Further information

Contact the Register Office

Email creweregisteroffice@cheshireeast.gov.uk or see Gov.UK.

Page last reviewed: 24 January 2024