1 When a coroner investigates
The coroner investigates when:
- deaths are violent or unnatural
- the cause of death is unknown
- deaths occur in police custody or prison.
More information on what happens when a death is reported to a coroner, post-mortems and inquests is available on GOV.UK.
2 The West Sussex Coroner
The West Sussex Coroner is an independent judicial officer who works in partnership with West Sussex County Council.
The West Sussex Senior Coroner is Penelope Schofield.
3 Court facilities and support
The Coroner's Court is a red brick building on the corner of Woodfield and Kilnmead Roads, adjacent to The Magistrate's Court.
Facilities
- The Coroner's Court is situated in Crawley and has two court rooms on the 2nd floor.
- There is disabled access and toilet facilities.
- We welcome guide dogs and other support dogs.
- A hearing loop facility compatible with hearing aids with a ‘T’ (telecoil) setting is available in both court rooms.
- Refreshments are not usually provided. Water is available, but feel free to bring your own bottled water. There are shops and cafés within a short walking distance.
- If you have a disability you may wish to contact our staff on 033 022 27100 in advance to discuss your specific needs.
- The Coroner’s Court is a formal court and attendees should dress appropriately.
Court layout
- The Coroner will sit at the front of the room.
- The witness desk and Coroner’s Officer desk will be at the front of the room either side of the Coroner.
- Legal representatives will sit at desks facing the Coroner.
- If there is a jury they will normally be seated to one side of the room so that they have a clear view of the witness desk, the legal representatives and the Coroner.
- Family members of the deceased will normally sit behind the legal representatives.
Opening hours
- Monday-Friday - Doors open to the public at 9.30am when court is in session.
Car parking
The nearest car parks to the Coroner’s Court are:
- NCP Kingsgate Car Park, Queensway, Crawley, RH10 1EN
- Town Hall Crawley, The Boulevard, Crawley, RH10 1UZ
Train station
- Station Way, Crawley, RH10 1JA - 12 minute walk
Support service
Emotional and practical support to families and witnesses attending inquests can be found on the Coroners' Courts Support Service website.
4 Contact the Coroner's Service
Firstly, speak to the Coroner's officer handling a specific investigation.
If you have a general enquiry, contact the Coroner's Service using the details below.
Office hours are 8.00am-4.00pm, Monday-Friday.
5 Inquest hearings
You can view the inquest hearing dates in the document below. The different types of hearings are defined further down the page.
Before viewing, please note:
- the list is updated every Tuesday evening and covers one month
- any queries should be directed to the Coroner’s officers.
Types of hearings
- Opening - Where it is necessary for the coroner to hold an inquest, the coroner may initially formally open this inquest in public. At the opening, the coroner will set the dates for subsequent hearings.
- Full inquest - A full fact-finding inquiry in court (with witnesses being called to give evidence) to establish who has died and how, when and where the death occurred.
- Pre-inquest review/directions hearings - These hearings take place before the final inquest hearing. Those invited have the opportunity to raise procedural issues with the coroner.
- Documentary - Inquests where evidence is not in dispute, so no witnesses will be called. A summary of the evidence is read to the court and the coroner will give their findings.
- Documentary plus - Inquests where the coroner or family are seeking further evidence or clarification from a witness.
- Jury inquest - These are usually held if a death occurred in prison or custody, or as result of an accident at work. The coroner is obliged to sit with a jury to hear cases.
- For mention - Where there is an update provided to the coroner of the progress of the case, enabling further directions to be made.
Emotional and practical support to families and witnesses attending inquests can be found on the Coroners' Courts Support Service website.
6 Reporting treasure
All finds of treasure must be reported to the coroner within 14 days of it being found or having been identified as treasure.
More information on what is defined as treasure and how it is dealt with can be found on GOV.UK.