- Brendyn Nelson reappointed as a coroner of the WA Coroner's Court for five years
- Sarah Tyler has been reappointed as a coroner for a further seven months
- Both legal practitioners have significant experience in the coronial jurisdiction
Brendyn Nelson has been reappointed as a Coroner of the Coroner's Court of Western Australia.
Mr Nelson served in the role for the past six months during which he conducted inquest hearings and completed findings in complex matters, before his reappointment for the next five years.
Prior to this, he was a registrar of the WA Supreme Court between August 2022 and October 2025 and served for a brief period as a Magistrate of the Magistrates Court Stirling Gardens, which deals with proceedings in respect of Supreme Court indictable matters.
His registrar and Magistrate responsibilities included case management hearings and conferences, interlocutory applications, mediations, enforcement proceedings, probate applications, and homicide lists.
Admitted to practice in 2010, Mr Nelson spent 13 years at the State Solicitor's Office (SSO) where he ultimately rose to the position of Senior Assistant State Counsel.
He regularly appeared as counsel for the State in appeals, trials, hearings, mediations, and pre-trial hearings across all courts and managed complex Supreme Court litigation.
Mr Nelson was also supervisor of the SSO's practice of Supreme Court single judge appeals and the office's coronial practice.
He was seconded to the Coroner's Court as a senior counsel assisting from September 2019 to May 2020, acquiring valuable experience in complex coronial inquests.
Mr Nelson's five-year term as a Coroner commences on 30 March 2026.
Sarah Tyler will continue as a coroner for an additional seven months from 13 April 2026 after her current six-month term expires.
She has presided over multiple inquests, completed findings, and provided direction in relation to ongoing coronial investigations in her first term.
She served as Principal Registrar and Counsel Assisting at the Coroner's Court for five years prior to her promotion to the role of coroner on 13 October 2025.
As Principal Registrar, she managed the court's legal team including Counsel Assisting and as a Counsel Assisting, appeared as sole counsel in a number of inquests.
Admitted to practice in 2010, Ms Tyler also has a strong background in criminal law from her days as a Legal Aid WA solicitor.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
"I congratulate Brendyn Nelson and Sarah Tyler on their reappointments as Coroners of the WA Coroner's Court.
"Mr Nelson's legal career spanned more than 16 years at the State Solicitor's Office and Supreme Court before he was appointed a coroner.
"Ms Tyler joined the Coroner's Court in 2020 after more than 11 years at Legal Aid.
"Both accomplished legal practitioners have already served with distinction during their time at the court, including appearing as counsel in complex, high-profile inquest hearings and matters.
"Mr Nelson and Ms Tyler have since gained further extensive knowledge and expertise in the coronial jurisdiction as coroners.
"They will help bolster the ranks of Coroners as the court continues to manage a heavy caseload."
