Chambers is delighted with the announcement today by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York of the appointment of Morag Ellis KC as Dean of the Arches and Auditor. 

The Dean of the Arches (Province of Canterbury) and Auditor (Province of York) is the most senior ecclesiastical judge in England and as Master of the Faculties is responsible for the regulation of the notarial profession in England and Wales and some overseas jurisdictions. The appointment is made jointly by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York with the approval of Her Majesty the Queen.

Alongside her planning and environmental law practice, Morag has a strong ecclesiastical law practice and has held a number of senior positions within the Church of England.  She was appointed Commissary General of the Diocese of Canterbury in 2011, and Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Southwark in 2013. In 2015 Morag was appointed as a Panel Chair to Clergy Discipline Tribunals and became a member of the Legal Advisory Commission of the General Synod in 2016.  She was appointed as KC Church Commissioner in 2019. She is also a Reader licensed in the Diocese of Chelmsford.

Commenting on the announcement, Head of Chambers, Andrew Tait KC said "this is wonderful news for Morag and for Chambers. We are thrilled that Morag will succeed our former members Charles George KC, who held the position from 2009 to 2020, and Dr Sheila Cameron CBE KC, who held the position from 2001 to 2009”

Morag Ellis KC will continue in practice at Francis Taylor Building, although she can no longer be instructed in cases involving the faculty jurisdiction or clergy discipline.

Morag will take up her duties on the 8th June 2020.

Chambers' ecclesiastical law expertise. 

Published on 2 June 2020.