My sister Gail Elliman, who has died aged 53, combined (possibly uniquely) the roles of immigration judge and assistant coroner. Gail was known for her focus on the correct interpretation and application of immigration law, and as a coroner she was particularly interested in complex cases, often involving deaths in prisons and hospitals, or murder. She did not seek personal attention, and her greatest achievement may have been the high regard in which she was held by colleagues and superiors.
Gail was born in Bristol, where our father, Arnold, managed the now defunct Little theatre and our mother, Sonia, taught drama and acted. The family moved to Sheffield in 1968 when Arnold was appointed to manage the Sheffield Playhouse and later the Crucible theatre. Gail was educated at Silverdale school, briefly joining the more established sixth form at King Edward VII school, but, showing early signs of her independence of spirit, insisting on returning to Silverdale after a few weeks.
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