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Coroner service

A coroner is a special judge who investigates unnatural or violent deaths, where the cause of death is unknown, or because the death took place in prison, police custody or another type of state detention, such as a mental health hospital.

They are appointed by a local authority but remain independent judicial office holders.


The coroner's investigation is to establish who has died, and how, when, and where they died.

In order to find this out, the coroner may decide to hold an inquest, which is a fact-finding inquiry. Sometimes the inquest may be heard with a jury.

Coroner's officers are members of staff who work with the coroner and provide a link between the coroner and you as a bereaved person (or witness).

Coroner's officers work to get information from bereaved families, the police, doctors, mortuary staff, hospital bereavement staff and funeral directors. They will also get information and documents from those who may have been involved in the death, such as witnesses, or those a coroner decides is an 'interested person' in the investigation.

Our offices

Derby coroner's office and courts

St Katherine's House
St Mary's Wharf
Mansfield Road
Derby
DE1 3TQ

Telephone: 01629 535050

Email derby.coroner@derbyshire.gov.uk

Chesterfield coroner's office and courts

The Coroners Court
Town Hall
Rose Hill
Chesterfield
S40 1LP

Telephone: 01629 533405

Email chesterfield.coroner@derbyshire.gov.uk

Both of our offices are wheelchair accessible, and the courts are equipped with hearing assistance devices. If you are visiting, please let us know if you have any particular needs, such as interpreting assistance.