The coroner's service

The role of a coroner is to investigate certain types of deaths, often when there are unnatural or unexplained circumstances, and establish certain details.

Inquests this week

Inquests are heard at:

  • HM Coroner Court, Lower Ground Floor, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH.

Upcoming hearings

Hearing date Time Type of hearing  Name of deceased  Age Date of death  Place of death 
Monday 13 July 10am Adjournment Michael John Armstrong 58 years 25/11/2024 Newcastle
  10:30am Opening Jessica Leah Metters 16 years 13/06/2026 Newcastle
  11am Opening Yussra Khairi Ramadhan Hajaji 26 years 15/06/2026 Newcastle
  11:30am Opening and Adjournment Gino James Robb 25 years 16/06/2026 Newcastle
  1:30pm Opening John Andrew Hayes 37 years 14/06/2026 Newcastle
  2pm Opening Margaret Forbes 68 years 12/06/2026 Newcastle
    Opening Joseph Peter Calow 40 years 13/06/2026 North Tyneside
    Opening Fraser Clive Scott Grant 42 years 02/12/2025 Newcastle
    Opening Christine Ann Reid 61 years 13/06/2026 Newcastle
    Opening Maurice Fairbank 91 years 24/06/2026 Newcastle
    Opening Yvonne Marie Lancaster 68 years 23/06/2026 Northumberland
    Opening John William David Scott 33 years 28/06/2026 North Tyneside
    Opening Ronald Wood 72 years 26/06/2026 Newcastle
    Rule 23 Karen Orr 63 years 14/06/2026 North Tyneside
    Rule 23  Daniel John Henderson 32 years 09/03/2026 North Tyneside
    Rule 23  John Orton 52 years 31/03/2026 North Tyneside
Tuesday 14 July  10am Inquest Joseph Alexander Gifford 79 years 28/07/2025 Turkey
  1:30pm Rule 23 Paul George Duncan 59 years 07/11/2025 Newcastle
Wednesday 15 July 1:30pm Inquest Hilary Nergaard 65 years 11/02/2026 Newcastle
Thursday 16 July 10am Inquest John William Ross Hazlewood 40 years 08/09/2025 Newcastle
Friday 17 July 10am Inquest Helene Hendry Thomson Juillet 79 years 29/12/2025 North Tyneside
  2pm Rule 23 Arthur Cyril Lamb 83 years 16/06/2026 Newcastle

Types of inquest

Documentary inquest

A documentary inquest, sometimes also called a Rule 23 inquest, is one where evidence is:

  • admitted in writing
  • not disputed

This avoids the need for witnesses whose evidence is uncontroversial to attend in person.

A coroner will decide the facts based only on written evidence.

After closing the inquest the coroner will inform the interested persons of the determination, findings and conclusion in writing.

By virtue of section 9C Coroners and Justice Act 2009 some Inquests may be dealt with in writing (i.e. without a hearing in court) unless representations are made by email to newcastleandnorthtynesidecoroners@newcastle.gov.uk no later than midday the day before the date shown in the list.

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