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What happens in the event of a coroners report or Inquest? The registration service has the duty to refer to the coroner all deaths which appear to have occurred from unnatural causes, violence, accident or industrial disease. The coroner may investigate and decide to order a post mortem, or in some cases, the coroner may decide to hold an inquest. In 2005 the Cheshire Coroner dealt with over 4,700 deaths and approximately 640 became inquest cases (approximately 13%).

The coroner is an independent judicial officer who makes inquiries in to deaths for instance where the:

• cause of death is unknown,
• deceased was not attended by a doctor within the previous 14 days prior to death or after death, or had not been seen by a doctor during the last illness,
• death was violent or unnatural or occurred under suspicious circumstances,
• death occurred during an operation or did not recover from an anaesthetic,
• death was due to an industrial disease,
• death occurred in prison or in police custody.

The coroner also holds inquests upon treasure trove, when items of archaeological or antiquarian value or interest are found in England and Wales. 

The coroner is assisted by coroner’s officers who make enquiries on his behalf and administrative staff - H M Coroner for Cheshire is:

         Mr Nicholas Rheinberg
         The West Annexe
         Town Hall
         Sankey Street
         Warrington
         Cheshire
         WA1 1UH

Cheshire Coroner's officers can be contacted on the following numbers:  

• For cases in the Chester area:  01925 442473 / 01925 442474
• For cases in the Crewe area:  01925 442481 / 01925 442479
• For cases in the Macclesfield area:  01925 442478
• For cases in the Warrington area: 01925 442475 / 01925 442476 / 01925 442477
• Senior Coroner’s Officer:  01925 442471
• Administration Officers:  01925 442472 / 01925 442482
• Fax:  01925 442470 / 01925 442480

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