New senior coroner welcomes ‘hybrid hearings’ for inquests to give bereaved relatives an alternative to coming to court

Laurinda Bower has been appointed as the new Senior Coroner for Greater Lincolnshire.

Coroners investigate deaths where the cause is unknown, where there is reason to think the death may not be due to natural causes, or which need an inquiry for some other reason.

Ms Bower was called to the Bar in 2006, and, as a barrister specialising in criminal law, represented clients across the Midlands for over a decade.

Before taking up the role as Greater Lincolnshire’s Senior Coroner, Laurinda also served as Area Coroner in Nottingham and Assistant Coroner in Sheffield.

Ms Bower, said: “This appointment is the proudest achievement of my career. Greater Lincolnshire has the most dedicated and experienced team of coroners and officers supporting local families and I would like to thank each and every one of them for the wonderful welcome. It’s my privilege to lead them and the Greater Lincolnshire Coroners Service.

“I’d also like to thank my predecessor, Paul Smith. Under his leadership the service placed the families of the bereaved at the heart of everything it does, and it’s a legacy I’m determined to build on.

“We have fantastic court centres and I’m passionate about ensuring our facilities are as accessible as possible. As a large, rural county, I appreciate how hard it can be for families to attend hearings in person. That’s why I’m pleased we will be offering hybrid hearings for our inquests, so families have the option of coming to court, or watching virtually from the privacy of their own home, whichever they find more comfortable.”

Coun Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “I’d like to give a warm welcome to Laurinda as she takes up this important role as Senior Coroner.

“Understanding the circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one can be an important part of the grieving process. For families facing unanswered questions, the answers the Coroner’s Service can provide bring peace of mind.

“We’re proud of the professional and family-focused service we offer to our communities, and I know that Laurinda shares this dedication and has some brilliant ideas to ensure the service continues to do its best for residents.”