Appointment of two new Deputy Chief Coroners
Her Honour Judge Georgina Sharkey and Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley have been appointed as Deputy Chief Coroner of England and Wales in succession to Her Honour Judge Alexia Durran’s appointment to Chief Coroner and the retirement of Senior Coroner Derek Winter.
The appointments take effect on 1 January 2025 for a three-year term.
The appointments are made by the Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
The Chief Coroner, supported by two deputies, provides judicial leadership for coroners and the coroner service in England and Wales, as well as issuing national guidance and leading training for coroners.
Background Information
Her Honour Judge Sharkey was called to the Bar in 2000. She was appointed as an Assistant Coroner in 2016 and in 2019 appointed as a Circuit Judge based at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Joanne Kearsley, a former high-profile inquest solicitor, was appointed an Assistant Coroner in Manchester South in 2008 then a Deputy (now Area) Coroner in 2009. On 1 May 2017 she was appointed Senior Coroner for the District of Manchester North.