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In some instances there is a legal requirement for the doctor to refer a death to the Coroner. This can often result in a post mortem examination. If you have any questions or concerns about a death being referred to the Coroner, the Bereavement Office staff will discuss and explain the procedures in detail.

Coroner Information

Coroners are usually lawyers, but in some cases they may be doctors, or even both. They are independent judicial officers - this means that no-one can tell them or direct them as to what they should do, but they must follow the laws and regulations which apply.

The Coroner enquires into those deaths reported to them. It is their duty to find out the medical cause of death, if it is known, and to enquire about the cause of death if it was due to violence or was otherwise unnatural.

Not all deaths are reported to the coroner. In most cases the doctor who had been treating the deceased is able to give a cause of death. Deaths are reported to the Coroner by the police or by the doctor who had been treating the deceased. The death will be reported to the Coroner if it resulted from or occured in any of these circumstances:

  • The death was violent or unnatural or occurred under suspicious circumstances.
  • The cause of death is unknown or uncertain.
  • The deceased was not attented by a doctor during their last illness.
  • The doctor treating the deceased had not seen them 14 days before their death.
  • The death was caused by an industrial disease/accident.
  • The death occured whilst the patient was undergoing an operation or did not recover from the anaesthetic.
  • The death occurred within 24 hours of admission to hospital.
  • If the deceased had suffered a recent fall.
  • The death was the result of a road traffic accident.

Easy Read Information

A Coroner is responsible for finding out how and why someone has died. If it is complicated there may be a court case.

This page tells you how to get in touch with the coroner.

About Us

Coroners are usually lawyers, but in some cases they may be doctors, or even both. They are independent judicial officers - this means that no-one can tell them or direct them as to what they should do, but they must follow the laws and regulations which apply.

The Coroner enquires into those deaths reported to them. It is their duty to find out the medical cause of death, if it is known, and to enquire about the cause of death if it was due to violence or was otherwise unnatural.

Not all deaths are reported to the coroner. In most cases the doctor who had been treating the deceased is able to give a cause of death. Deaths are reported to the Coroner by the police or by the doctor who had been treating the deceased. The death will be reported to the Coroner if it resulted from or occurred in any of these circumstances:

  • The cause of death is unknown
  • The attending doctor is not available within a reasonable time of the person's death to sign the MCCD (within 5 days)
  • There is not an attending doctor to complete the MCCD
  • The death was due to poisoning (including otherwise benign substances)
  • The deceased was or suspected to have been exposed to or in contact with toxic substances
  • The deceased had or is suspected to have used medicinal products, CD's or psychoactive substances
  • The death was due to violence, trauma, injury or self-harm
  • The death was due to neglect, including self-neglect (with exception of alcoholism, obesity & smoking - does not need reporting)
  • The deceased underwent a procedure of a medical nature
  • The death was attributable to any employment held by the deceased throughout their lifetime
  • The deceased died in custody / state detention
  • Otherwise unnatural death (the deceased's death was unnatural but does not fall within any of the circumstances above)
  • The deceased cannot be identified.

Contact Us

Contact details for H. M. Coroner for Liverpool and Wirral

Her Majesty's Senior Coroner for the Liverpool and Wirral Coroner Area is André Rebello B.Sc. (Hons.) Solicitor. The Area Coroner is Ms Anita Bhardwaj B.A. (Hons) Solicitor. They both investigate sudden deaths reported by the police and answer questions from members of the public about inquests.

H M Coroner for Liverpool & Wirral
Gerard Majella Courthouse
Boundary Street
Liverpool, L5 2QD

Tel: 0151 233 5770

Fax: 0151 207 4522

Email the coroner

The Coroner Society website

The Team

André Rebello B.Sc. (Hons.) Solicitor

Further Information

Visit the Home Office website here