History and values

History

The office of the Coroner is one of the oldest known to the English system of law dating back to 1194, predated by only the Sheriffs office. In early years the coroner's duties were mainly administrative. The coroner kept the king's records, and collected revenue.

Over the years the role expanded to include investigating deaths. If a person was found dead the coroner was notified and a jury was assembled where the jury examined the body. Evidence was heard and the jury's verdict taken. If a verdict of murder or manslaughter was returned the coroner seized his property for the king.

In NSW the Coroner's jurisdiction has been in place since the foundation of the colony. In his commission of 2 April 1787 Governor Phillip was granted power to 'constitute and appoint Justices of the Peace, Coroners Constable and other necessary officers'. The earliest recorded inquest in New South Wales dates from 1796 in which three magistrates including Samuel Marsden inquired into the death of a convict who had been shot.

From early colony times the Coroners Court was situated in the Rocks in Sydney. In 1970 the Coroners Court moved to premises on Parramatta Road, Glebe and the office of the State Coroner was established in 1988.

The current Coroners Court opened in January 2019 and is located at the Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court complex at 1A Main Avenue, Lidcombe 2141.

Approximately 7,000 deaths statewide are reported each year to the Coroner, with about half of those deaths occurring in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Our Values

Service 

• We put people at the centre of what we do and seek to provide the highest quality services 

• We are proactive, responsive and efficient in our actions 

• We are honest and transparent about our processes 

• We employ flexibility and innovation to meet demands

Trust 

• We value the quality of our relationships and we do what we say we will do 

• We seek to provide empathy, sensitivity and compassion in all our interactions  

Accountability 

• We take responsibility for our decisions and actions 

• We continually seek to improve the quality of our work 

• We employ trauma informed and compassionate approaches to our communications  

Integrity 

• Ethics are at the heart of all we do and we show courage by acting honestly, consistently and impartially 

• We strive to be honest, fair and reliable 

• We collaborate with others to ensure a thorough, comprehensive investigation is carried out in every matter that comes to us 

Respect 

• We are inclusive and understand that how we talk with, and about each other is important 

• We demonstrate understanding and sensitivity in relation to religious and cultural issues 

• We respect the dignity of the person who has passed away and their loved ones 

• We are courteous, kind and respectful in all situations