Forensic Medical Officer jobs

About us

Warrington Borough Council is the lead Local Authority supported by Cheshire East, Halton and Cheshire West and Chester. The County of Cheshire Coronial Area is seeking to appoint a new Area Coroner to replace the current post-holder, who has accepted appointment to a Senior Coroner position.

About the post

The Area Coroner will work closely with the Senior Coroner to provide judicial leadership to the coroner team as well as conducting their own coroner investigations and inquests. The Area Coroner is the nominated deputy for the Senior Coroner when the Senior Coroner is absent. The Area Coroner will be expected on occasion to be available out of hours on a rota based system.

Warrington 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. In this role, you will work closely with the Senior Coroner and local authority to ensure the running of an efficient coroner service that puts the bereaved at the heart of the service. Collaborative working with the Senior Coroner, local authority, the police and other stakeholders is essential.

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.

It is desirable that the successful candidate has proven experience of running or sharing running a coroner’s jurisdiction including carrying out investigations, case management, and conducting inquests.

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 five years of experience whilst holding that qualification. They will be under the age of 75, have experience of working as an Assistant Coroner or Area 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 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 wish to have an informal discussion or arrange a visit, please contact Claire O Flaherty, Business Support Manager, via email: [email protected]

Suitably qualified applicants are requested to complete the application process and provide their completed application form, CV and supporting statement (which should include disclosure of any convictions or disciplinary proceedings)

Key dates

Closing date: 13:00 on 4 October 2026

Sift return date: 19 October 2026

Interview invitations will be sent out: W/C 19 October 2026

Interview date: 11 November 2026

If you do not hear by 30 October 2026 please assume you have not been shortlisted.

Notification
The vacancy for this post has been notified to the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor (as required by statute).