Assistant Coroner for Cumbria x2 in Workington

Cumberland Council is seeking to appoint two (2) additional Assistant Coroners for the Cumbria coroner’s area, to support the Senior and Area Coroners across the full range of coroner duties, and to help ensure the delivery of high-quality coronial service to the people of Cumbria.

About The Post

Cumberland Council is looking for exceptional candidates, 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 Senior Coroner and Area Coroner to ensure the running of an efficient coroner service that puts the bereaved at the heart of its service. 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.

The successful candidate will be required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a coroner as defined in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and associated rules and regulations and as further described in various guidance issued by the Chief Coroner. These are fee paid positions, although they are likely to require a regular commitment, which is to be agreed between the Assistant Coroner, HM Senior Coroner and the local authority. Assistant Coroners are required to work a minimum of 20 days a year, with a mix of court sitting days and office / case progression days. You will be required on occasion to be available to assist on any out of hours rota system to meet statutory requirements. You will also be required to attend the Coroner Continuation training, arranged through the Judicial college. Key is that you demonstrate an ongoing commitment to supporting the work of the service in Cumbria and HM Senior Coroner.

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 5 years of experience while holding that qualification. They will be under the age of 75 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

If you have any specific questions regarding the post, or the area, or would like an informal discussion, please contact Ms Kirsty Gomersal (HM Senior Coroner, Cumbria) via hmcoroner@cumbria.gov.uk. Suitably qualified applicants are requested to email their CV and their application / supporting documents, and a covering letter, to: Chris Fleming: Christopher.Fleming@cumbria.gov.uk.

Important information

Key to note is that all successful candidates, if not already an Assistant Coroner, will be required to attend the mandatory Assistant Coroner Induction training course, to be held on 1st and 2nd December 2026, and a follow up course in June 2027 (dates to be confirmed). Failure to attend would preclude a candidate from being appointed.