Isle of Wight: Plans for island's first dedicated coroner's court
- Published
Costing £86,000 it is hoped the first inquests will be held at Seaclose by September
The first dedicated coroner's court on the Isle of Wight is set to open in six months.
Isle of Wight Council plans to spend £86,000 revamping the first floor of its offices at Seaclose in Newport.
The remodel will see a courtroom, jury retiring room, conference rooms and modern office space.
The council said it would ensure bereaved families have their loved ones' inquests "heard at the earliest opportunity".
At the moment the island's coroner's service has to use facilities at the Isle of Wight law courts in Quay Street, Newport.
However criminal cases take priority, which can result in bereaved families having to wait for the court to be free to hold an inquest.
The island's senior coroner, Caroline Sumeray, said the new facilities would allow the coroner's service to have readily available access to a court, "which will facilitate the hearing of cases more efficiently".
She added that the much-needed court would help "minimise any stress or uncertainty which can come with waiting for an inquest.
The council said its coroner's service manages an average of 775 reported deaths each year.
It is hoped the first inquests will be held at Seaclose by September 2024.
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