Just weeks after her office was blasted as ‘not fit for purpose’ by senior leaders, Isle of Wight Coroner Caroline Sumeray has been issued a formal warning by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) for failing to conclude an inquest for more than 4 years.
The JCIO has confirmed that the warning follows a complaint lodged by a family member of someone who had died, who raised concerns over the extraordinary delay in the hearing of their loved one’s inquest. Despite the case being referred to Senior Coroner Sumeray over 4 years ago, the inquest remained outstanding – until recently.
Coroners are required, by law, to complete an inquest within 6 months of being made aware of a death, or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter. But an investigation under the Judicial Conduct Rules 2023 concluded that, despite a number of challenges cited by the Coroner, there was no reasonable explanation for such a lengthy delay. The inquest should have been concluded by the end of 2022, it has been determined.
Island Echo has a list of more than 90 deaths that are expected to go to inquest, the oldest dating back to 2020. That list is ever-growing as, in 2024, only 38 of 123 inquests opened on the Isle of Wight last year were concluded, and the average wait time for grieving families has more than doubled since 2019 to a staggering 76 weeks.
Defending her position, Senior Coroner Sumeray cited severe staffing shortages, difficulties with third-party responses, lack of suitable court premises, COVID-19 disruption, and ‘personal circumstances’ as mitigating factors. However, the nominated judge found that these did not justify the extent of the delay, ruling that the failure amounted to misconduct.
The Lady Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor, while acknowledging the widespread pressures on the coronial system and noting Sumeray’s previously unblemished record, agreed with the findings and have now issued her with a formal warning.
This revelation comes just days after the Coroner apologised to a family at the start of an inquest on Monday (21st July), stating the delay in their case had been due to matters ‘beyond her control’. It also follows a series of Island Echo investigations that have shone a light on long-standing problems within the Isle of Wight’s coronial service.
Last month, senior local leaders branded the service as not fit for purpose during the Island Echo/IW Observer State of the Island Debate, highlighting a backlog of more than 100 cases and serious delays impacting grieving families (read more).
Island Echo exclusively reported earlier this month that 6 out of 7 newly recruited staff members have quit, which ties in with concerns raised over the workplace environment (read more).
The situation has even reached the House of Commons, where the Government was challenged over the distress caused to bereaved families by delays under Sumeray’s leadership (read more).
Joe Robertson MP has said:
“I am not surprised that a misconduct finding has been made against the Isle of Wight Corner for an unjustified inquest delay, despite our Coroner arguing to the contrary. This is in line with my own opinion about the excessive backlog of cases on the Island more generally.
“Far too many excuses have been given when ultimately the buck stops with Coroner herself. There is no reasonable explanation why the backlog has got this bad on the Island – the worst in the country – and the Coroner must finally take responsibility.
“Grieving families on the Island deserve so much better than the poor service they have been receiving”.
This rare disciplinary action raises fresh questions about the operational integrity of the Isle of Wight’s Coroner’s Office and the continued leadership of Senior Coroner Sumeray, with families still left waiting years for answers about their loved ones.
In a statement issued by the Isle of Wight Council, it has been said that the Coroner accepts the decision and recognises the need for improvements to the timeliness and delivery of inquests.
A spokesperson for the Council has said:
“The Council is working collaboratively with Senior Coroner Sumeray to address the service delivery issues through the scoping and implementation of a recovery plan, which includes a strategy for dealing with the backlog of cases and long-term staffing issues. This will enable inquests to progress in a timelier manner without compromising on the quality and thoroughness of investigations”.
Island Echo understands that there has been recent communication between the Coroner and Councillor Lora-Peacey Wilcox – with the Coroner seen to be at Lora’s personal home in Cowes recently.
This is a disgrace. We have a coroner guilty of misconduct- and she keeps her job.
The delays are getting worse. She’s just not up to the job. She treats it as a part time, and does she remote work from the mainland?
She’s had a nice new court built for her too, are our expense, but the excuses keep coming.
There seems to be a shortage of P45s thesedays.
Back in the good old days persons who were incompetent
were dismissed, thesedays they get pay increases etc.
Let’s hope she closes the door on the way out.
For God’s sake Ms Sumeray go now. Your reputation is in tatters so do the decent thing and resign. For some reason her bosses seem to be afraid to get rid of her but surely a sideways move could be the answer, maybe a cleaner or somewhere that doesn’t involve members of the public.
Given her reputation now she will be hard pressed to find someone else to employ her on £140k pa. So she will hang on and take the money for as long as she can and negotiate the best exit package she can screw out of the Ministry. After all, it’s only taxpayers’ money…
I have to say I lost my son in Dec 2025 unexpectedly at home in front of his young children and family,the Coroner and her officers have been nothing but kind,caring and compassionate with our family and have gone back for a 2nd look after I as his mum raised concerns about his Social housing accomodation and Asbestos!I know everybody’s experience is different at an awful time in families lives but we were treated with respect I have to say and listened to.
Sack with loss of pension you will be surprised what a difference it would make
And lies about the 32 that they only did wow what a disgrace I’m going further know the way she spoke to me saying that I didn’t know and try to threaten me pffff
If she goes, it will get rid of the 4 star hotel bill that keeps mounting up accommodating her over here on the Island, plus the travelling expenses on the days she decides to work.