The recent judgment Re St Edmund Kessingland [2020] ECC Nor 4 exposed the “considerable and mutual antipathy between the Petitioners and those supporting them and the Parties Opponent and those who agree with them” [5]. In his conclusion, Chancellor Etherington observed: “[c]ourts rarely manage completely to solve problems in people’s lives despite our increasing tendency in this age to turn to them to do just that. Courts decide what the law is and, in contested cases, make decisions in favour of one side or the other…”[125].

It remains to be seen how the parties respond. Nevertheless, there is plenty for ecclesiastical lawyers in this long (35 page) judgment, Continue reading →