Southwark Coroner's Court

London Inner South Coroner's Court is an English coroner's court located at 1 Tennis Street in Southwark, London. It covers cases for the London boroughs of Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. The court has handled some high-profile cases including the New Cross house fire (1981), when 13 young people died, and the 1989 inquests into the 51 people who died in the Marchioness disaster when a pleasure boat collided with a dredger on the River Thames. History Before the late 19th century, inquests were often held in local pubs, vestry halls, or even the deceased's home—settings that were frequently criticized for being undignified. The Inner South Coroner's Court was part of a wave of "purpose-built" courts commissioned by the London County Council (LCC) following the Coroners Act of 1887. While many such courts were designed by the LCC's Architects’ Department, the building at 1 Tennis Street reflects the high-quality red-brick and stone-dressing style common in late-Victorian civic buildings. It was designed to look authoritative yet accessible, separating the legal process from the domestic or commercial world. Presiding senior coroners Gordon Davies (1960s–1982) Davies served during the mid-20th century transition when the coroner's office moved away from more archaic practices toward modern forensic requirements. Sir Montague Levine (1983–2004) A legendary figure in the London coronial system, Levine presided over the court for over two decades and was the coroner responsible for the inquests into the Marchioness riverboat disaster (1989) and the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Selena Lynch (2005–2010) Selena Lynch served intermittently in lead roles between 2005 and 2010 and was a key judicial figure at the Tennis Street office during transition periods between permanent appointments. Andrew Harris (2010–2023) One of the most prominent coroners in modern London history, Harris oversaw the court during a period of intense public scrutiny, including the initial investigations into the 2017 and 2019 London Bridge attacks. Harris was known for his rigorous adherence to "Rule 43" (now PFD—Prevention of Future Deaths) reports, frequently challenging hospitals and local authorities to improve safety. He presided over the 2014 Arsema Dawit case, involving the stalking and murder of a 15-year-old girl, the Kevin Clarke "death in custody" inquest, often cited as a landmark case regarding the intersection of mental health, race, and police restraint, and the inquest into the death in Camberwell of Katrina Makunova. Julian Morris (April 2024–present) A former solicitor and medical doctor, Morris took over the role during a period of modernisation for the Southwark-based court. He previously served as an Assistant Coroner in the same jurisdiction as well as South London Coroners, providing a smooth transition. He handled an inquiry into the deaths of three babies who died in 2014 after being given contaminated intravenous food, an inquest into the death of an 8-day-old baby following failures at a South London birth centre, the 2024 death of Lacey May Brookman which highlighted a specific clinical "blind spot" in emergency paediatrics and the Natasha Hill inquest (2026). Jurisdiction Hospitals Kings College Hospital University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) Guys & St Thomas' Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London Blackheath Hospital London Bridge Hospital Prisons HM Prison Belmarsh HM Prison Brixton HM Prison Isis HM Prison Thameside Mental health services Cygnet Mental Health Services Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) South London and Maudsley References