Church lawyers at Birketts have received a major boost for 2025 with a triple appointment to the firm’s Ecclesiastical Team.
Alison Stock, Legal Director, Nathalie Southan, Registry Clerk, and Rebecca Harmer, Solicitor, have joined the established Birketts Ecclesiastical Team.
As well as bringing added ecclesiastical expertise to Birketts, Alison’s appointment as Legal Director brings the number of diocesan registries hosted by the firm to five, Alison having been the Registrar for the Diocese of Exeter since 2018, supported by Rebecca and Nathalie.
The appointment also means that Birketts’ Ecclesiastical Team extends its reach into the South West, with the trio being based in the firm’s new office in Bristol.
Rebecca acts in all areas of Ecclesiastical law but particularly property and charity law having initially qualified as a family law solicitor in 2021 and prior to qualification she worked in property law and at a Crown Court.
Nathalie became Exeter Diocesan Registry Clerk supporting Alison Stock as Registrar in 2018 and is responsible for dealing with faculty applications for the Church of England parishes of Devon, clergy licensing, grave space and cremation plot reservations, petitions for exhumation and common marriage licences.
Kevin Wilson, Partner and head of Birketts’ Ecclesiastical Team, said: “Alison, Rebecca and Nathalie’s appointments to the team is an important and exciting step in our continued expansion. Having recently secured the Registry for the Diocese of Guildford, I am delighted that the trio have joined bringing with them the Registry for the Diocese of Exeter. There are very few law firms in England and Wales with this specialism and the experience we have in the team, boosted by these appointments, is essential when advising clergy, laity and church officers, in parishes, dioceses, cathedrals and national church institutions across the Church of England.”
Alison said: “Birketts’ growth into the South West and the team’s experience in diocesan registry work makes it the perfect fit for me. There is a lot involved in registry work, which is why I call myself an “Ecclesiastical GP” as this is what all diocesan registrars must be for their diocese. It’s interesting and varied work and I look forward to continuing it with Birketts.”
Alison provides advice and support to the clergy, the diocesan authority, churchwardens and Parochial Church Council members in the County of Devon on all areas of law.
Birketts now hosts the registries of the Dioceses of Norwich, St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Guildford, London and Exeter.
Further information about Ecclesiastical Team and the legal services available can be found here.
A link to the Birketts’ Ecclesiastical microsite offering practical help and guidance on church law is available here.
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