Hertfordshire coroner Edward Thomas has named Mr Justice Sullivan as his assistant deputy coroner for the cases.

The news was announced by Solicitor General Harriet Harman in a written reply to a question raised in Parliament by MP James Clappison.

She added that a date for the inquests was still to be fixed.

The Potters Bar Edition revealed in February that Mr Thomas was set to appoint a judge as he had questioned his powers to conduct such an inquiry and was too busy with other inquests.

Mr Justice Sullivan is the judge who last month ruled nine Afghan asylum seekers who hijacked a plane and forced it to fly to Stansted in 2000, could stay in this country.

Seven people were killed and 76 were injured when a train derailed at Potters Bar station on May 10, 2002.

South Mimms pensioner Agnes Quinlivan was among the victims. The 80-year-old was struck by falling rubble as she walked under a railway bridge in Darkes Lane.