Croydon Council Moves Coroners Court from Unfit Davis House 2026

Key Points

• The South London Coroners Court, currently housed on the second floor of Davis House in Croydon, is owned by Croydon Council and has been listed for sale since 2023 as part of the council’s asset disposal programme.
• Croydon Council plans to relocate the court to its headquarters at Bernard Weatherill House, located directly behind Davis House, potentially later this year.
• The current site at Davis House is described as “out of date and not fit for purpose” in council documents reviewed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
• The court serves the boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, and Bexley, investigating deaths that are violent, sudden, unnatural, or of unknown cause, including those in state custody.
• No specific timeline beyond “later this year” has been confirmed for the move, and details on costs or disruptions remain undisclosed in the available council documents.
• The revelation comes from scrutiny of council papers by the LDRS, with no public consultation or formal announcement noted to date.

Croydon (South London News) February 17, 2026 – Croydon Council is planning to relocate the South London Coroners Court from its current “out of date and not fit for purpose” building at Davis House, which the authority has been attempting to sell since 2023, to its headquarters at Bernard Weatherill House. The move, revealed through council documents scrutinised by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), could occur later this year and affects investigations into sudden and unnatural deaths across Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, and Bexley boroughs. As the building remains on the market amid the council’s asset disposal efforts, questions arise over service continuity and financial implications for taxpayers.

What Is the Current Situation with the South London Coroners Court?

The South London Coroners Court operates from the second floor of Davis House, an office block owned by Croydon Council. As reported in the MyLondon article titled “Croydon Council’s plan to move coroners court out of ‘not fit for purpose’ site it is trying to sell,” the facility has been placed on the council’s asset disposal list since 2023. This listing forms part of broader efforts by Croydon Council to offload non-essential properties, though no buyer has been publicly confirmed as of February 2026.

The LDRS, through its examination of internal council documents, can reveal that the site is deemed inadequate for modern needs. The description “out of date and not fit for purpose” appears directly in these papers, highlighting structural and functional shortcomings that compromise operations. Davis House’s location places it adjacent to Bernard Weatherill House, Croydon Council’s main administrative hub, facilitating the proposed short-distance relocation.

The court’s remit covers serious cases, including violent deaths, sudden fatalities, unnatural causes, and those occurring in custody. No disruptions to ongoing inquests have been reported, but the dual status of the building—operational court space and sale asset—raises operational concerns.

Why Is Croydon Council Moving the Coroners Court?

Croydon Council’s rationale centres on the inadequacy of Davis House. According to the LDRS revelation cited in MyLondon, the building fails contemporary standards, prompting the shift to Bernard Weatherill House. This headquarters site offers potentially superior facilities, though specific upgrades like expanded courtroom space or improved accessibility remain unspecified in the documents.

The asset sale initiative, ongoing since 2023, underscores financial pressures on the council. By vacating Davis House, Croydon Council aims to realise value from the property while consolidating services nearby. No statements from council leaders, such as Councillor Yvette Hopley, the cabinet member for contract services, or Jason Perry, the council leader, were included in the MyLondon coverage, leaving the motivation framed solely through document analysis.

The LDRS notes that the relocation aligns with efficiency drives, but without public disclosure, it prompts scrutiny over whether the move prioritises revenue over service quality. Bernard Weatherill House’s proximity—directly behind Davis House—minimises logistical challenges, yet the timing of “later this year” suggests preparatory works may already be underway.

Which Boroughs Will Be Affected by the Coroners Court Relocation?

The South London Coroners Court holds jurisdiction over Croydon, Sutton, Bromley, and Bexley. These boroughs report deaths requiring inquest to the Davis House facility, where coroners determine causes and circumstances. MyLondon specifies this geographic scope, emphasising the court’s role in handling custody deaths and unnatural incidents across this south-east London cluster.

Residents and families in these areas rely on the court for timely investigations. The relocation to Bernard Weatherill House, still within Croydon, should preserve accessibility, particularly for Croydon cases. However, Sutton, Bromley, and Bexley users may face minor travel adjustments, though public transport links between the sites are robust.

No alternative venues were mentioned, and the LDRS documents do not indicate interim arrangements. This continuity focus aims to prevent backlogs, critical given the court’s mandate for urgent, sensitive matters.

When Is the Planned Move Happening?

Council documents point to a relocation “later this year,” as revealed by the LDRS in the MyLondon report. This vague timeline—post-February 2026—avoids firm dates, likely pending sale progress or internal approvals. Davis House’s market listing since 2023 implies the move hinges on commercial outcomes, with no sale completion noted.

Bernard Weatherill House requires adaptation, potentially involving office-to-courtroom conversions. The LDRS scrutiny uncovers no budget allocations or planning applications publicised, suggesting behind-the-scenes coordination. Councillor Perry’s administration has not commented, per available coverage.

Delays could arise from inquest schedules or property transactions, but the council’s intent signals commitment to the shift.

What Are the Criticisms of the Current Davis House Site?

Davis House earns the stark label “not fit for purpose” in council files, per LDRS analysis reported by MyLondon. This critique encompasses outdated infrastructure, possibly including poor ventilation, limited space, or accessibility barriers unfit for grieving families and legal proceedings.

The building’s office-block design ill-suits a coroners court, where solemnity and functionality demand specialised features like secure evidence storage and family waiting areas. Since 2023, its sale status has cast uncertainty, potentially deterring maintenance investments.

No coroner statements, such as from South London coroner John Taylor, appear in the coverage, but the council’s assessment implies operational strains. Families attending inquests may have experienced these issues, though no complaints are documented here.

How Will the Relocation Impact Court Operations?

The move to Bernard Weatherill House promises consolidation benefits, placing the court beside council services for streamlined administration. MyLondon’s LDRS-sourced details suggest minimal downtime, given the sites’ adjacency—mere steps apart—easing equipment and record transfers.

However, adaptation costs loom unquantified. Taxpayers may question funding, especially amid Croydon Council’s financial recovery from near-bankruptcy in prior years. Ongoing inquests, including high-profile custody cases, demand uninterrupted service.

The LDRS reveals no contingency plans, but the “later this year” target implies phased execution to avoid public disruption.

What Is Croydon Council’s Broader Asset Disposal Strategy?

Since 2023, Croydon Council has pursued aggressive asset sales to balance books, with Davis House prominent. This fits a pattern of offloading underused properties, as seen in prior disposals like sports centres. Bernard Weatherill House centralisation enhances efficiency.

MyLondon links this to wider council tax debates, but the coroners move stands alone in recent coverage. No proceeds estimates for Davis House exist publicly.

Who Are the Key Figures and Stakeholders Involved?

Croydon Council owns and decides on Davis House. The LDRS, often represented by journalists like Theo McArthur in south London patches, drove the scoop via document review. Coroners, families, and borough MPs like Chris Philp (Croydon South) stand as indirect stakeholders, though none quoted.

Council leader Jason Perry and cabinet members hold accountability, yet remain silent per reports.

What Happens Next for the Coroners Court?

The relocation awaits execution “later this year,” contingent on Davis House’s sale. Public announcements or consultations may follow, though none mandated. Monitoring council minutes and planning portals will track progress.