Vanessa McKinlay appointed Area Coroner for Somerset

Gatehouse Chambers is delighted to announce that Vanessa McKinlay has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor as the Area Coroner for Somerset. Vanessa will take up this full-time appointment from 14 July 2025.

Vanessa has built an outstanding career at the Bar over the last 25 years, specialising in clinical negligence and inquests. Having worked as a Senior Physiotherapist in the NHS before being called to the Bar, Vanessa brought strong medical knowledge to her practice which enabled her to handle authoritatively the most complex medical issues, and to distil them in understandable terms for her clients.

Vanessa commented, “I am delighted to have been appointed Area Coroner for Somerset and I am looking forward to taking up my full time role.  I will miss everyone at Gatehouse Chambers, where I have been privileged to spend the last part of my career at the Bar with my exceptionally talented and supportive colleagues.”

This marks a historic milestone for Gatehouse Chambers, as Vanessa becomes the first of our members to be appointed to a full-time Coronial position. We are immensely proud of her achievement.

Joint Head of Chambers, Charles Bagot KC commented, “We are absolutely thrilled for Vanessa at this very well-deserved appointment. We are very proud of her achievements at Gatehouse Chambers and grateful for her contribution to chambers. Our loss is a massive gain to the Coronial Bench.”

Amanda Illing CEO also commented, “It has been a real privilege to work with Vanessa, who has been an inspirational and kind colleague. Vanessa’s appointment is fully deserved and is a great professional and personal achievement. We will be very sad to see her go, but we wish her every success in the next stage of her career.”

 Heartfelt congratulations from all your friends at Gatehouse Chambers.