State Coroner Sara Hinchey resigns after being cleared by panel

State Coroner Sara Hinchey has resigned, despite being cleared by a panel of any wrongdoing. It comes as bizarre allegations emerged about the judge, including taking her skirt off during a staff meeting.

Victorian State Coroner Sara Hinchey has resigned.

State Coroner Sara Hinchey has resigned from the role after being cleared of any wrongdoing over an allegation she took alcohol from the Coroners Court.

Judge Hinchey, who will remain a judge of the County Court, handed her resignation to Attorney-General Jill Hennessy yesterday.

She stood aside from the role in August last year after complaints to the Judicial Commission of Victoria sparked an investigation into 92 allegations.

A Judicial Commission of Victoria panel convened last week to investigate a single allegation that Judge Hinchey had taken alcohol from the Coroners Court.

Today it dismissed the allegation.

A further 87 allegations had already been dismissed on the grounds that they were either unsubstantiated, did not meet the criteria for referral or were not serious enough to warrant further action.

The panel comprised two current or former judicial officers from an Australian jurisdiction and one member of the community.

Four other allegations had been referred to County Court chief judge Peter Kidd.

They included claims Judge Hinchey:

REMOVED her skirt during a staff meeting and persuaded a former senior employee to try it on,

FREQUENTLY swore during meetings with senior staff,

ENCOURAGED staff to be filmed doing “suggestive” dance moves for a court revue and,

PUBLICLY reprimanded “despicable behaviour” by some staff during meetings.

Judge Hinchey said she made the decision to resign “because the complaint has exposed philosophical differences about the direction which the Coroners Court should be taking”.

“As such I have concluded that fresh leadership is in the interest of the court.

Attorney-General Jill Hennessy accepted Sara Hinchey’s resignation yesterday. Picture: AAP Image/Ellen Smith

“I am proud of my work as State Coroner and have immensely enjoyed performing my duties.”

Judge Hinchey said she looked forward to continuing her work at the County Court which she described as a “warm and collegiate environment, where innovation and renewal are embraced”.

Supporters of the judge said she was targeted by those who objected to her direction for the court.

One source close to Judge Hinchey described the complaints against her as “a stitch up”.

“Effectively they’ve smeared a judge because of ongoing issues and personal grievances at the Coroner’s Court,” they said.

Victorian Attorney-General Jill Hennessy welcomed the judgement and thanked Ms Hinchey for her service.

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“I would like to thank Judge Hinchey for her contribution to the Coroners Court, especially her commitment to improving the way in which families and victims are served through the court’s vital and important work,” Ms Hennessy said.

“I have been advised by the Judicial Commission of Victoria that it has dismissed an allegation of misconduct concerning Judge Sarah Hinchey.

“Judge Hinchey will continue serving at the County Court but will resign as State Coroner. She has more than 19 years of legal experience as a trial and appellate barrister, and will continue to bring her expertise and extensive experience to the bench.”

The Attorney General said deputy state coroner Caitlin English would continue as acting state coroner until a permanent appointment is made.

“I would like to thank Judge Hinchey for her contribution to the Coroners Court, especially her commitment to improving the way in which families and victims are served through the court’s vital and important work,” she said.

County Court chief judge Peter Kidd said he acknowledged the decision of the Judicial Commission and was pleased that this matter has now been resolved.

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