HM Coroner for the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull
A Coroner enquires into those deaths reported to him or her. It is his or her duty to find out the medical cause of the death, if it is not known, and to enquire about the cause of it if it was due to violence or otherwise appears to be unnatural.
The Role of the Coroner
Coroners are usually lawyers but in some cases they may be doctors. Coroners are independent judicial officers, this means that no other person can tell them or direct them as to what they should do, but they must follow the laws and regulations which apply. Each Coroner must have a deputy and between them they have to be available at all times. Coroners are helped by their officers, who receive reports of deaths and then make enquiries on behalf of the Coroner. Some officers work full time, but in less densely populated parts of the country they can work part time and are often police officers. The Coroners' service is paid for through Council Tax.
Coroner's Statement
Mr. A K Cotter, the Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull districts, is an independent judicial officer presiding over a Court of Record within the English judicial system and discharges his duties in accordance with the Coroners Act 1988, the Coroners Rules 1984, and other relevant legislation. The Coroner is independent and although appointed and paid by for by the Council, he is not a local government officer but holds office under the Crown. The Coroner can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, during normal working hours the Coroner is usually either in Court, in meetings or giving talks. Contact during normal working hours should therefore initially be with the office. You are welcome to contact the Coroner at his home or office outside normal working hours if your need is urgent and cannot wait until the office reopens. However, the Coroner will not be able to deal with matters for you if they involve other agencies or individuals who are not working at the time you telephone the Coroner.
At present, the Coroner or one of his deputies also attends the office between 10.00am and 12.00noon every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday throughout the year including both Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The Coroner provides this service voluntarily and it is intended only for emergencies. The Coroner is only able to deal with those matters which can be completed that day by himself and which do not require input from other agencies or individuals who are not at work. Matters which require input from other people can only be dealt with during normal working hours.
The Coroner's Court
The Court has a communal waiting area, vending machine for hot and cold refreshment drinks and has access and toilet facilities for people with disabilities. There are also facilities for the hard of hearing available within the Court and reception area. The Court is a no smoking area and there are no children's rooms available. Those having to attend the Court who have special requirements are requested to make contact with the office in advance.
Contact Details
Mr. Aidan Keith Cotter LLB CMD
Her Majesty's Coroner for the City of Birmingham and the Borough of Solihull
Coroner's Court
50 Newton Street
Birmingham
B4 6NE
Office Telephone: 0121 303 3228 / 0121 303 3920
Home Telephone: 01827 383 263
Mobile Telephone: 07980 312 834
Email Address: coronercotter@birmingham.gov.uk
In the event that the Coroner cannot be contacted outside of normal office hours then please telephone West Midlands Police on 0345 113 5000 who will then contact one of the deputies at their home.
Deputy Coroner's
Miss Sarah Ormond-Walshe
Telephone: 07985 051149
Assistant Deputy Coroner
Mr Stephen Campbell
Telephone: 07887 481903
Mr Michael Snell
Telephone: 07860 545439
Mrs Sally Scanlon
Telephone: 07787 571360
Useful Links
More information on Coroners and Inquests can be found on the Direct.gov.uk website.