Coroner's Office
Coroner's Office
HM Coroner is an independent judicial officer holding office under the Crown. Every coroner is local to a jurisdiction, funded by the local council, but independent of Council, police, hospitals and Welsh Government.
The Coroner carries out investigations and establishes the circumstances and causes of death for the benefit of:
- the bereaved, who wish to know how their family member came to die (the circumstances) and how those circumstances came about (the causes)
- medical science, so that lessons can be learned from the circumstances and causes to advance medical care and to avoid future errors
- the public, who wish to be assured that the unexplained or violent death of one of its members is properly investigated in a manner that respects the need of the bereaved and of medical science
Remote hearings in the Coroner's Court: Guide for media and the public
Coroner
The Acting Senior Coroner is Paul Bennett. His jurisdiction covers the full extent of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and the coastal waters surrounding them.
When Mr Bennett is not available, his work is carried out by Assistant Coroner, Gareth Lewis.
Office Staff
The administration of the coroner's office is carried out by the Clerks to the Coroner. The Clerks are normally the person first seen or spoken to when calling at or phoning the office. They have certain limited powers delegated to them by the Coroner and will be able to give information about the progress of an investigation.
The Pembrokeshire Coroner's Officer employed by the police is PC James Lang - Telephone 01267 615310. Email james.lang@Dyfed-Powys.police.uk and PC 578 Carrie Sheridan - Telephone 07815 160083 / Email carrie.sheridan@dyfed-powys.police.uk
The Carmarthenshire Coroner’s Officers employed by the police are Malcolm Thompson (Telephone 01267 615108 Email malcolm.thompson@Dyfed-Powys.police.uk) and Hayley Rogers (Telephone 01267 615 107 Email hayley.rogers@dyfed-powys.police.uk)
They can also be contacted on coronerscarms@dyfed-powys.police.uk
Contact and enquiry points
The Coroner's office for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire: North Wing, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP. The office is open from 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday to Friday
Telephone: 01437 775001, 01437 775134 and 01437 775147
email: pembscarmscoroner@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Out of office hours please contact police stations on Tel.101
If you are looking to use the tell us once service, please contact the registrar for your unique reference number.
Remote hearings in the Coroner's Court: Guide for media and the public
On the 28th June 2022, new regulations came into force giving effect to Section 85A of the Courts Act 2003. In brief these provisions allow the remote observation of proceedings in any court, tribunal or body exercising judicial function including, for the purposes of this guide, the Coroner’s Court.
As a result of the restrictions arising from the Covid 19 Pandemic, temporary arrangements were permitted whereby the press and the public could have access to live hearings using web based platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. In line with the principles of open justice this enabled reporting and observance of hearings to take place, subject to clear safeguards on non-participation in, nor recording of, the hearings themselves.
That arrangement has now been regularised by legislation and therefore the position to allow remote access to hearings by the media and public can continue.
However, the Chief Coroner has issued specific Guidance[1] which sets out the basis upon which remote hearings are to be conducted and this includes the process by which members of the press and public should seek permission to attend remotely rather than in person.
While the right to attend an inquest in person will continue, the right to attend remotely will continue to be one that has to be the subject of permission. This Guide sets out the revised position.
In order to accommodate a request for remote attendance and in order to ease the administrative and technical arrangements, it will now be a requirement for anyone wishing to attend on a remote basis to make an application (in writing or by email) at least 24 hours before the hearing. It will no longer be the case that the office will deal with requests for a remote link on the morning of the hearing. This will not preclude the attendance of anyone who wishes to attend in person.
Any applications for remote attendance should be addressed to:-
The Coroner’s Clerk
Coroner’s Office
North Wing
County Hall
Haverfordwest
SA61 1TP
Or by email to: pembscarmscoroner@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Useful Links
Guide to Coroner Services (opens in a new tab)
Report a Death to the Coroner (opens in a new tab)