Wiltshire and Swindon coroner's service

His Majesty's Senior Coroner for Wiltshire & Swindon - Mr David Ridley.

Coroner's Service Office Manager - Mrs Loella Chlebowski

Contact Details:

26 Endless Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 1DP

Telephone: 01722 438 900

Email: WSCoronersOffice@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)

Where deaths:

• appear to be due to violence
• are unnatural
• are of sudden and of unknown cause
• occur in prison, police custody or otherwise in state detention

The medical and legal inquiry held in public is called an inquest. It is not a trial or a court of blame and its purpose is aimed at finding out who the deceased was, and how, when and where they died.

At the end of the final hearing, the next of kin will be provided with an explanation about how, where and when a copy of the death certificate can be obtained.

Explanations for the procedures adopted in particular cases will be given, on request, where the coroner is satisfied that the person has a proper interest.

If a death is reported which does not need an inquest - when death was a result of natural disease or illness - a certificate giving the cause of death will be sent to the registrar of deaths sometimes following an examination after death, a post mortem.

All finds of treasure within the jurisdiction of Wiltshire & Swindon must be reported your local museum within 14 days after the find was made or it was realised that the find might be treasure - for example, after having it identified, who will in turn notify the coroner. 

Definitions of treasure can be found on the at the legislation.gov.uk website (opens new window).

Coroners will not normally enter into correspondence about the cases they have completed, but comments and suggestions on improving the Coroner's Service are always welcome.

Complaints about a coroner's decision or the outcome of an inquest can only be dealt with through the High Court.

The Coroner's Office will be able to explain the procedure on request, but cannot give legal advice.

All complaints about the administration of the Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner's Service, the conduct of individual coroners, administrative staff or their officers and should be raised in the first instance with the coroner. 

If the coroner fails to deal with the complaint satisfactorily, you may refer it to:

Judicial Conduct Investigations Office
81-82 Queens Building
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL

Phone: 0207 189 2937

Fax: 0207 189 2936

Email: inbox@jcio.gsi.gov.uk (opens new window)

Website: judicialconduct.judiciary.gov.uk (opens new window)