New locations for coroner’s court and register office
A new Coroner’s Court has opened at the Myle Cross Centre in Lincoln after years without a permanent home.
The facility will serve Greater Lincolnshire Coroner’s Service, which is one of the largest in the country and over 500 coronial inquests will be heard each year at the site.
The new Greater Lincolnshire Coroner’s Court was opened by Cllr Sue Woolley, executive councillor for Registration Services who is pictured with HM Senior Coroner Paul Smith (left) and county council Assistant Director for Public Protection Martyn Parker.
Cllr Sue Woolley said: “I am delighted to open this new facility for Greater Lincolnshire. The Coroners Service plays such a vital part in supporting families through some of the most challenging times in their lives. This new court will allow the coroner to hear every type of coronial case which occurs across Greater Lincolnshire and provides improved facilities for both families and the public attending court.”
The Myle Cross Centre now features two new court rooms along with dedicated public, family and private consultation space for those families attending a Coroner’s Inquest. New officer accommodation and dedicated jury spaces means even the most complex cases can now be heard in the facility.
The former Lincoln and District Coroner’s serve merged with other services across Lincolnshire earlier this year. It had previously been housed at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, but this was found to be unsuitable for families and inquests had been heard at peripatetic locations including the 13th Century Cathedral Centre.
Another public building being upgraded is Lincoln Register Office, which will move in April next from its current home at 4 Lindum Road to Orchard House on Orchard Street in newly refurbished facilities with a bigger capacity.
The new venue will be able to hold more ceremonies with the largest will hold up to 60 people, rather than 40 which is the capacity of the current office, which is now for sale.
There will also be two rooms for smaller ceremonies, all in more modern, accessible facilities.
Cllr Woolley said: “We are continuing to see significant demand for marriages and civil partnerships in our register offices, so I’m delighted that we’ll be able to provide better options for residents in Lincoln.
“Couples will be able to invite more guests to their larger ceremonies, and we can offer more flexibility in arrangements for smaller services too.”
Cllr Richard Butroid, executive councillor for Property Services, added: “We are constantly looking at the buildings we need as a council to be able to offer services in convenient locations for residents, as well as appropriate office space for our staff. This move is beneficial to everyone - making better use of the buildings we own while improving services for residents.”
