Ecclesiastical Law
UK Bar Guide 2025 : All Circuits
Band 1
Email address
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(020) 7353 8415Chambers Review
Francis Taylor Building leads the way in the field of ecclesiastical law, offering the strongest concentration of experts of any set. Its barristers, many of whom hold positions as Chancellors or Deputy Chancellors in various dioceses, are noted experts on all matters ecclesiastical law-related, and many of them have written extensively on the subject. The set is praised by interviewees as "very active in ecclesiastical law." They are instructed by both the Church of England and private parties and are regulars in all the important cases of the day such as Re Jesus College, Cambridge. This was a contested heritage case concerning opposition to the petition by Jesus College, Cambridge to remove a memorial to Tobias Rustat from the college chapel. Paul Coveney is the senior clerk.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"It has a very strong clerking team."
"It has a very strong clerking team."
Notable Practitioners
Mark Hill KC is an acknowledged leader in the field, who has an exceptional reputation as an advocate, chancellor and scholar. He is Chancellor of the Diocese of Chichester, the Diocese of Leeds, and the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe. He routinely appears in both the civil and consistory courts on a wide array of matters.
"He is very good. I rate him highly. He is the preeminent barrister for this practice area."
"Mark Hill KC is really knowledgeable; when he spoke, the court just listened. He really shines in this practice area - he is very sensible, has great insights and is a go-to in this very niche field."
Cain Ormondroyd is a respected practitioner who approaches ecclesiastical cases within the context of a wider public and planning practice. He is Chancellor of the Diocese of Winchester and is also regularly instructed as an advocate in the consistory courts. He appears primarily on behalf of petitioners.
"Cain Ormondroyd is one of the best."
Gregory Jones KC is Deputy Chancellor of the Dioceses of Truro and Exeter and is an expert on a number of areas of ecclesiastical law including those concerning clergy discipline, church reorganisation and the disposal of church assets.
"I have always been impressed by Greg's all-round ability."
Philip Petchey is a highly respected ecclesiastical lawyer who is Chancellor of the Diocese of Southwark and Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Judges' Association. He has a particular depth of expertise in ecclesiastical matters concerning alterations to churches and clergy discipline.
"Philip Petchey is very good."