Sheila started in Chambers (then 2 Harcourt Buildings) in the late fifties and was joined there by Gerry shortly afterwards. They were married in 1960.

Gerry, who had read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, was a pioneer of what was to become environmental law where he put his knowledge of ornithology and botany to good effect. Sheila developed a practice in ecclesiastical law and was Chancellor of the Dioceses of Chelmsford and London before becoming Dean of the Arches, Auditor and Master of the Archbishop’s Faculty Office in 2001. She was also a Boundary Commissioner and a Recorder. In 2002 she was awarded a Doctorate of Civil Law by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Both were experts in the law of commons: Gerry wrote (with Bryan Harris) An Outline of the Law of Commons and Shelia appeared for the successful registration authority in the landmark case of Corpus Christi College, Oxford v Gloucestershire County Council. Both were Benchers of the Middle Temple where, years before, they had been Harmsworth Scholars. Gerry succeeded Peter Boydell as Head of Chambers, serving in that role until his retirement in 2001.

In 2018, Morag Ellis KC paid tribute to Sheila’s considerable achievements in a Boydell Lecture, Women in the Law.

In retirement they remained good friends of Chambers and we mourn their passing.