James Newman, OH 1985-95 spoke to our Law Society about his role as a Coroner and his experience in the legal field. After graduating with a Degree in Anatomical Sciences from Dundee, James then continued his post-graduate studies in York studying law with a conversion course. He started his career in Law at Stamp Jackson and Proctor in Hull and joined other former Old Hymerians who are Partners at the firm, namely OH Simon Ramshaw and OH Claire Charman née Robinson. 

Having specialised in clinical negligence since qualification in 2003, James has acted on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants, although since October 2008, James was instructed solely on behalf of healthcare organisations and clinicians. James acted on behalf of general practitioners and clinicians within a wide range of specialties, as well as on behalf of private hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. In addition to his clinical negligence experience, James has significant experience in inquest work, having again represented both family members and clinicians.  He has been appointed as an Assistant Coroner for Derby and Derbyshire Coroner's Area on a full-time basis, and is now Area Coroner Lancashire County Council Lancashire County Council since Aug 2017. James has also recently started a new role alongside his Coroner role as a Mental Health Tribunal judge. 

James fielded many questions from the students about work-life balance, switching off from such an emotional job, how he moved into his Coroner role, and what his day-to-day role could involve. James shared his experiences of working closely with bereaved families and the trust they put in him.  James emphasised to the students that they must choose studies they enjoy. 

He wished all our students well and offered any guidance and offers of support to the room in the future. One of our students is keen to chat further with him about her Extended Project Qualification in 2024.

Thanks, James. It was great to have you back and the students were pleased that you could join them.