In honour of our friend and colleague, Dan Messenger

In honour of our friend and colleague, Dan Messenger

In honour of our friend and colleague, Dan Messenger

It is with great sadness that we inform you that our friend and colleague, Dan Messenger, died peacefully on Saturday August 13 with his wife, at his side. Dan’s illness progressed very quickly, following the shock of his diagnosis in September last year. Our thoughts are with Dan’s wife, and their young son.

Dan was a hugely popular and supportive colleague both in court and within chambers. We all loved being in cases with him, and valued his commitment and enthusiasm for everything he was involved in. He will be greatly missed by all of us who worked with him over the years. He is a huge loss to chambers.

Fenners Chambers will be organising a drinks reception to honour Dan, more details to follow.

Fenners 1st XI triumph!

Fenners 1st XI triumph!

Fenners 1st XI triumph!

On a balmy evening in early July, a resolute team of cricketers from Fenners took on a team of local judges in an evening match at the King’s & Selwyn playing fields.

Cricket whites that hadn’t seen the light of day in this millennium were dug out, dusted down and donned by the intrepid members of the Fenners team.

A keenly fought contest ensued – containing a large number of appeals – with the Fenners team emerging victorious and winning the challenge cup.

Spectators and players were then treated to lavish refreshments supplied by Puddini Caterers.

The game was held to mark the retirement of HHJ Lindsay Davies a long-time member and former head of chambers. The event also raised much-needed contributions to brain injury charities, a cause that Fenners has been championing in 2022.

Araba Taylor appointed as Deputy Commissary General for the Diocese of Canterbury and the Canterbury Provincial Panel of Chairs for Bishops’ Disciplinary Tribunals

Araba Taylor appointed as Deputy Commissary General for the Diocese of Canterbury and the Canterbury Provincial Panel of Chairs for Bishops’ Disciplinary Tribunals

Araba Taylor appointed as Deputy Commissary General for the Diocese of Canterbury and the Canterbury Provincial Panel of Chairs for Bishops’ Disciplinary Tribunals

Left to right: Morag Ellis, The Dean of Arches, Araba Taylor and Robin Hopkins, Commissary General/Vicar General of Canterbury

Araba Taylor has been appointed to the Canterbury Provincial Panel of Chairs for Bishops’ Disciplinary Tribunals.

The primary role of the Chair is to preside over a Bishop’s Disciplinary Tribunal which hears cases of misconduct against priests and deacons.

Araba’s appointment is for a term of five years from 1 January 2022.

On Sunday 23rd January 2022, Araba was also sworn in as Deputy Commissary General and Deputy Vicar General for the City and Diocese of Canterbury.

Left to right: Araba Taylor and the Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin

Left to right: Robin Hopkins and Araba Taylor

Efficient Conduct Statement for all Financial Remedy Court cases is released

Efficient Conduct Statement for all Financial Remedy Court cases is released

The first full week back to work in January saw the release of the Efficient Conduct Statement for all Financial Remedy Court cases.

It makes significant changes in the way we prepare cases for Court and it is to be followed with immediate effect.

Our Family Law Barristers have created a quick reference crib sheet of the statement. We’ve also linked to the statement itself below, and the 2 documents which have to be filed jointly for every hearing: the composite case summary and schedule of assets are attached to the main document and the updated schedule of assets is attached separately in excel.

Efficient conduct statement crib sheet

Efficient Conduct Statement

Schedule of Assets template

Liam Varnam receives two judicial appointments

Liam Varnam receives two judicial appointments

Liam Varnam receives two judicial appointments

Fenners Chambers is proud to announce that Liam Varnam has been appointed by the Lord Chief Justice as a Deputy District Judge on the South Eastern Circuit.

Liam has also been appointed by the Lord Chancellor as a Fee-paid Employment Judge, assigned to the Midlands East Region.

Liam Varnam, who was called to the Bar in 2007, will maintain his busy practice in property, employment, commercial, and probate work alongside his judicial responsibilities.