New Senior Coroner to take up role in early 2027

Victoria Davies has been appointed as the new Senior Coroner for the West Yorkshire Eastern Coroner Area which covers the local authority areas of Wakefield and Leeds.

She will take up the role in early 2027, following the sad passing of Kevin McLoughlin, who previously served as Senior Coroner.

Mrs Davies was appointed as a coroner in 2021, initially as HM Assistant Coroner in Blackpool, before being appointed as HM Area Coroner in Cheshire in 2023. Prior to full-time appointment she practiced as a solicitor in health law, specialising in inquests.

As an independent judicial office holder, Mrs Davies will be responsible for investigating deaths where there is reason to suspect that the death was violent, unnatural or of unknown cause, or where a death was in state detention, and, where required, hold inquests into the circumstances of those deaths.

The Senior Coroner is supported by two Area Coroners and a number of Assistant Coroners who assist in delivering the service across the area.

The appointment was subject to the consent of the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor.