Senior coroner retires from post after 20 years-service.

Senior coroner retires from post after 20 years-service.

Senior coroner, Christopher Sumner, has retired from his post after 20 years-service.

Mr Sumner, 75, took up the role on October 10, 1998 and following two decades as senior coroner for Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley, is stepping aside to enjoy his retirement.

Christopher, who has two sons Stuart and Edward with his late wife Marjorie, started his career as a teacher at Croxteth Comprehensive School after studying at Durham University.

A career in law beckoned and he completed his articles at Goldrein & Company Solicitors in Liverpool and continued in criminal law in the city.

Mr Sumner later moved to Southport and worked within different legal firms before opening his own practice within the resort.

From there he become Senior Coroner for Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley and has presided over more than 5,100 inquests.

A Coroner is an Independent Judicial Officer empowered to enquire into sudden, unnatural or violent deaths.

Christopher Sumner, said: “It has been a real honour to be Senior Coroner for 20 years serving bereaved families at the most difficult of times.
“My role is to help establish how people have died, and during my time I hope I have been able to give families answers and some form of closure following the loss of a loved one.
“A lot of hard work goes into the Coroner’s service and I could not have done my job without the help and support of so many people who I am eternally thankful for.”

In his spare time Christopher dedicated more than 30 years to the Scouts Association working in various roles within Southport and became the District Commissioner for Formby Scouts.

He has been a member of Southport Links Rotary Club for over 25 years, giving his time and support for the local community and international projects. He became the District Governor of District 1180 which covered the whole of North Wales, Cheshire, Wirral, Liverpool up to Southport.

On retirement he intends on spending more time with his family and wife Bernadette, continuing his membership at Hillside Golf Course, Rotary, quizzes and pursuing his beloved Everton FC.

Mr Sumner will be replaced by Graham Jackson who will become the acting Senior Coroner for Sefton, St Helens and Knowsley.