New senior Coroner for Wakefield and Leeds appointed
A new Senior Coroner has been appointed for the West Yorkshire Eastern Coroner Area – which covers Wakefield and Leeds.
Victoria Davies said she was “honoured” to be appointed and will take up the role early next year.
Her appointment comes after the death earlier this year of previous Senior Coroner Kevin McLoughlin.
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.
Before her full-time appointment, Mrs Davies 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 help deliver the service across the area.
Mrs Davies said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Senior Coroner for West Yorkshire Eastern.
“I look forward to building on the excellent work of our experienced team and to continuing to serve our community and the bereaved with professionalism, compassion and integrity."
The appointment was subject to the consent of the Chief Coroner and Lord Chancellor.
The late Mr McLoughlin had held the role since 2018.
The West Yorkshire eastern corner’s service is one of the busiest coronial areas in the country, managing an average of 3,800 reported deaths each year and more than 800 inquests.
The service achieved national recognition under Mr McLoughlin’s leadership, ranking first in the country for concluded inquests in 2023 and 2024.
Mr McLoughlin also played a key role in securing a new £2.7m purpose‑built coroner’s court in Wakefield city centre in 2023.