Coroners
Coroners record and investigate sudden, unexpected and violent deaths. His Majesty's Senior Coroner for North Wales (West) covering Gwynedd and Anglesey, is Ms Katie Sutherland LL.B (Hons) Solicitor.
Not all deaths are reported to the Coroner, in most cases, a GP or hospital doctor can issue a Medical Certificate of the cause of death so that it can be registered by the registrar.
A death should be reported to the Coroner when a doctor knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that the death:
- Occurred as a result of poisoning, the use of a controlled drug, medicinal product, or toxic chemical;
- Occurred as a result of trauma, violence or physical injury, whether inflicted intentionally or otherwise;
- Is related to any treatment or procedure of a medical or similar nature;
- Occurred as a result of self-harm, (including a failure by the deceased person to preserve their own life) whether intentional or otherwise;
- Occurred as a result of injury or disease received during, or attributable to, the course of the deceased person’s work;
- Occurred as a result of a notifiable accident, poisoning, or disease;
- Occurred as a result of neglect or failure of care by another person;
- Was otherwise unnatural.
The Coroner should also be informed where:
- The death occurred in custody or otherwise in state detention – of whatever cause;
- No attending practitioner attended the deceased at any time in the 14 days prior to death or no attending practitioner is available within a reasonable period to prepare an MCCD;
- The identity of the deceased is unknown;
- The cause of death is unknown.
When a death has been reported to the Coroner the registrar must wait for the Coroner to finish his enquiries before the death can be registered. These enquiries may take time, so it is always best to contact the Coroner’s office before any funeral arrangements are made.
Coroners will look to establish the medical cause of death. If the cause remains in doubt after a post mortem, an inquest will be held. If the examination shows death to have been a natural one, there may be no need for an inquest and the Coroner will send a form to the registrar of deaths so that the death can be registered by the relatives and a certificate of burial issued by the registrar.
Inquests
An inquest is held to record:
- Who the deceased was
- When, where and how he or she came by the medical cause of death
When a conclusion is reached, the Coroner records the details needed for the registration of the death.
An inquest does not determine any question of civil liability or criminal liability on the part of a named person.
Forthcoming inquests
Inquest in Writing – week commencing - 17/05/2023:-
Helen Jones – 91 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 10/01/2023
Richard Timothy Jones – 95 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 24/01/2023
Geraint Jones – 63 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, on 19/01/2023
Catherine Wynne Jones – 87 years old, died Ysbyty Eryri Hospital on 14/05/2022
Pearl Thomas – 53 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 20/06/2021
Peter Michael Wilson – 85 years old, died Abergynolwyn on 29/6/21
18/05/2023 - Dafydd Orwig Chamber:-
Full Inquest:-
Rosemary Robinson - 09:30 – 69 years old, died Menai Bridge on 18/06/2022
Philip Michael Verrall –11:00 – 69 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd on 11/05/2021
Inquest in Writing – week commencing - 22/05/2023:-
Owen Jones – 84 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 17/04/2021
24/05/2023 – Dafydd Orwig Chamber:-
Full Inquest:-
John Arfon Jones – 09:30 – 58 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd on 10/04/2021
24/05/2023 – Dafydd Orwig Chamber:-
Formal Opening:-
Margaretta Alice French – 73 years old, died Caernarfon, on 15/5/23
Huw Dylan Buckley – 48 years old, died Abererch on 12/1/23
Emma Jane Batsford – 44 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 31/8/22
Robert Willis – 70 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 14/05/2023
ADJOURNED
26/05/2023 – Dafydd Orwig Chamber:-
Full Inquest:-
Betty Davies – 12:30 – 75 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd ar 11/02/2022
Nerys Alice Roberts – 14:00 - 91 years old, died Caernarfon on 10/12/2022
26/05/23 – Dafydd Orwig Chamber – 12:15:-
Formal Opening:-
Paul Mark Rollinson – 36 years old, died A55 Llanfairpwll, on 23/5/23
Inquest in Writing- week commencing 30/5/23:-
Ryan Colin Holmes – 41 years old, died Newborough on 29/01/2023
Ellis Jones – 92 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 27/06/2022
31/05/2023 - Dafydd Orwig Chamber:-
Formal Opening:-
Paul Mark Rollinson – 12:45 - 36 years old, died A55 Llanfairpwll on 23/05/2023
Full Inquest:-
Catherine Winifred Jones – 13:00 - 85 years old, died Caernarfon on 15/03/2022
Margaret Wendy Hughes – 14:30 - 60 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital on 09/07/2022
Inquest in Writing – Week commencing 8/6/23:-
Hugh Edwards – 95 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, on 16/2/23
Inquest in Writing, week commencing 12/6/23:-
Trevor Jones – 78 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, on 20/6/22
Formal Opening –07/06/23, 13:45 – Siambr Hywel Dda Chamber (LL55 1SH):-
Peter Malkin – 84 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, on 28/5/23
Francis Lawrence Cooke – 77 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, on 28/5/23
Idris Jones – 55 years old, died A493 Llanegryn, on 29/5/23
Elaine Maud Jones – 89 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital, on 25/5/23
Eirian Wynn Williams – 54 years old, died Holyhead, on 30/5/23
Renee Edwards – 88 years old, died Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital,on 24/5/23
Registration of Deaths
If the Coroner decides that it is necessary for an inquest to be held, then the death will not be registered until the inquest has been completed, however an Interim Death Certificate will be issued by the Coroner pending full registration.
At the conclusion of the inquest the Coroner will register the death with the registrar for the area where the death occurred. The register offices for North Wales (West) are:
The Coroner's Office
You can contact the Coroner's Office using the details below:
Address: HM Coroner’s Office, Shirehall Street, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1SH
Email: crwner@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
Telephone number: 01286 672 804