Senior Coroner - Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside
Job Summary
Working Pattern:
Full time
Advert Start Date:
13/07/2022
Advert End Date:
Closed for applications on 03/08/2022 23:59
Salary:
Up to max of JNC scale (£137,281)
Employment Location:
Newcastle upon Tyne
Further Information
Newcastle City Council and North Tyneside Council (together “the Councils”) are seeking to appoint a new full-time Senior Coroner to replace the current post-holder who retires in January 2023
Currently, the areas of the Councils are separate coroner areas (ie Newcastle and North Tyneside respectively) but the Councils are seeking a merger of the two areas. The appointment of the Senior Coroner will therefore be to both areas, pending and subject to the making of the necessary statutory instrument to merge the two areas.
About the Post:
The Senior Coroner stands at the head of the local coroner service and statutory coroner area and takes the lead on coroner work and will be expected to conduct inquests which are difficult or complex or will be likely to attract significant publicity.
Based on the 2021 Ministry of Justice returns, the number of reported deaths per annum for Newcastle was 2,112 and for North Tyneside it was 963 (ie 3,075 in total). Accordingly, the Councils intend to appoint the Senior Coroner with a salary on a full-time basis.
The salary will include payment for out of hours availability by agreement. A Senior Coroner may join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
The Senior Coroner will be based at the dedicated court and coroner’s office located at Newcastle Civic Centre.
The Councils are looking for an exceptional candidate with excellent proven leadership, organisational, management and efficiency skills, as well as experience of exercising sound judgement and communicating effectively, in addition to managing and embracing change. You will have experience of modernising procedures and driving change to ensure local practices conform to national coroner practice and standards, and in turn deliver excellence to bereaved families and local residents. You will work closely with the Councils’ manager to deliver a modern service and ensure value for money, performance and financial efficiencies. Collaborative working with the Councils, the police, National Health Service, funeral directors 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 the running of a coroner’s jurisdiction including carrying out investigations, case management, and conducting inquests, as well as delivering leadership and direction to staff.
Who can apply:
The successful candidate will be a barrister, 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 a senior coroner, area coroner or assistant coroner and be subject to the appointment and eligibility conditions within the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (s.23 and Schedule 3) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/notes/division/5/1/1/3/2.
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 Chancellor with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice prior to their 75th birthday.
How to apply:
The candidate pack is available under supporting documents
If you wish to have an informal discussion, please contact Mr John Softly, Assistant Director Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, Newcastle City Council, john.softly@newcastle.gov.uk
Suitably qualified applicants are requested to complete an online application form by selecting Apply Now.
Please note
This job is closed for applications.