The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, has announced that David Etherington QC has been appointed as the new Chancellor for the Diocese of London. He succeeds The Worshipful Nigel Seed QC and will begin in post in February.
The Chancellor acts as the independent judge of the Consistory Court, overseeing legal issues across the Diocese, especially those which relate to the use of and alterations to church buildings and land.
David will work closely with the Diocesan Registrar, the Archdeacons and the Diocesan Advisory Committee.
He is an established criminal and regulatory barrister and ecclesiastical lawyer and judge. He studied Law and Public & Social Administration at Keble College, Oxford. He practises as Queen’s Counsel at Red Lion Chambers in London and is involved with training in Professional Ethics and Advocacy for the Bar. He has also acted as an adviser to television series and film projects, including for the BBC and Channel 4. He worships at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge and the Temple Church.
David will step down as Chancellor for the Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich – a position which he has held since 2009 – upon taking up his new role in London. He will remain in post as Chancellor for the Diocese of Norwich and will continue to carry out his responsibilities as Deputy Chancellor for the Diocese of Ely.
The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, said:
“I have no doubt that David will serve the Diocese with distinction, applying his wealth of experience both as Queen’s Counsel and Diocesan Chancellor to support the needs of our parishes.
“His knowledge of church buildings and the range of benefits they bring to the communities they serve will also be a hugely valuable asset.
“I look forward to David’s installation and would like to thank Nigel Seed for his exceptional service.”
David Etherington QC, Chancellor of the Diocese of London, said:
“I am honoured to have been appointed the Chancellor of the Diocese of London and to have been given the opportunity to take forward my colleague Nigel Seed’s work in looking after the important and historic churches in the capital.
“London’s churches are integral to its great history and to carrying out the mission of the Church at the heart of its communities. Cherishing this history means conserving and improving church buildings to ensure they remain an important part of people’s everyday lives and can be preserved for future generations.”
“London is also my home city, which means I will enjoy regular opportunities to visit the buildings themselves and see their work carried out at first hand, which is tremendously exciting.”
David will begin work as Chancellor on 1st February 2021.