Coroner for Brighton & Hove

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HM Coroner for Brighton & Hove

Information and advice

Her Majesty's Coroner for Brighton & Hove is an independent judicial officer who follows laws that apply to coroners and inquests. It is the duty of the coroner to investigate deaths reported to her, that appear to be:

• sudden and of unknown cause
• unnatural or due to violence, or
• occur in legal custody

It is the responsibility of the coroner to make enquiries which will establish:

• who the deceased was
• when and where he or she died
• how he or she died

The coroner's investigations may require a post-mortem examination to find out the cause of death. In a small amount of cases, it may be necessary to hold an inquest.  Whatever the coroner decides, the immediate next-of-kin will be given an explanation of arrangements and procedures involved. 

Contacting the coroner

The coroner has an office managed by her clerk and can be contacted Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 4pm at:

The Coroner's Office
Woodvale
Lewes Road
Brighton 
BN2 3QB

Telephone: (01273) 292046
Fax: (01273) 292047

Coroners' officers

Coroners' officers work under the direction of the coroner and liase with bereaved families, police, doctors and funeral directors. They are based at:

Brighton Police Station
John Street
Brighton   
BN2 2LA

Telephone: (01273) 665572
Fax: (01273) 665543

In an emergency you can contact the coroner's officers through Sussex Police on (0845) 60 70 999.

Further help and advice

More details about the work of the city coroner [MS Word 27kb] - some questions answered, is available.

The following publications are also available from the coroner's office: 

• The Coroner's Charter (a booklet which describes the role of the coroner and the service to expect)
• When a Death is Reported to the Coroner (this provides practical information to explain what happens in the case of a sudden death, the coroner's involvement and the public facilities at the city mortuary)
• The Coroner's Court (a leaflet with local information for those who need to attend court)

Booklets and leaflets may be ordered on-line, using the order form for publications. Alternatively, contact Bereavement Services with your requirements.

For further information visit the Ministry of Justice website