Gwent Coroner Service

Gwent Coroner Service, Civic Centre, Newport NP20 4UR 

Telephone: (01633) 414600 

Email: Gwent.Coroner@newport.gov.uk

Gwent Coroner Service represents the following local authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen

A coroner is a special type of judge appointed by a local authority to investigate certain deaths.

Coroners work within a framework of law passed by Parliament and are appointed by a local authority but remain independent judicial office holders.

Coroners investigate deaths that have been reported to them if they think that:

• the cause of death is unknown or unconfirmed 
• the death was violent or unnatural
• the cause of death is unknown, or
• the person died in prison, police custody or another type of state detention

When a death is reported to a coroner, the coroner decides whether an investigation is needed and if it is, investigates to establish:

• the identity of the person who has died
• how, when, and where they died
• any information they need to register the death
• use information discovered during the investigation to help prevent other deaths

Further information

Read the Gov.UK Guide to Coroner Services