Our friend and colleague, Dan Messenger, died peacefully on the 13th August 2022, following a diagnosis of a terminal illness last year. His diagnosis and death were a huge shock to us all and he is greatly missed in chambers and in the local courts in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and further afield. Dan died much too young. His wife, Laura, was with him when he died, and Dan also left a young son, Francis, who was just a year and a half old. Dan was incredibly proud of Francis and many local practitioners will have seen the photographs of him as a young baby which Dan loved to share.

Dan was a talented musician and studied music at Dartington Arts School before going to the University of Essex, where he studied Law and Politics. He qualified as a barrister and was awarded a Fox Scholarship from Middle Temple, which enabled him to gain experience in a law firm in Toronto. Dan completed pupillage in East Anglia Chambers and then became a tenant at Regency Chambers. He moved to Fenners Chambers in 2014 and practiced there until September 2021 when he became ill.

Dan was a very able and committed family barrister and was well thought of by solicitors, barristers and the judiciary. He was regularly instructed in complex care proceedings, was an active member of the FLBA and also contributed to the training programme organised by the Cambridgeshire Local Family Justice Board. Dan was not only respected, though, he was also popular. Everyone liked working with him. He worked hard and fought for his clients, but he always had time for a quick chat with his colleagues, too, and he was a lot of fun.

As one barrister from another chambers has put it: a nicer opposing counsel you could not possibly wish to meet. Local solicitors have said they will miss Dan’s brilliant sense of humour. In chambers he was supportive of his colleagues and always ready to share his experiences and knowledge with more junior members of the team. Several of his colleagues also became close friends.

Dan was so full of life, so enthusiastic about everything he was involved in. His interests were wide ranging. Food, films, travel, to mention just a few of them, and he loved to share his enthusiasms, swapping recommendations for films, books and restaurants. A few years before he became ill, he took a sabbatical to go traveling with Laura. Dan had already travelled widely but wanted to share the experience with his wife. Following the birth of his son, his greatest enthusiasm was, of course, reserved for his son.

A few weeks after Dan died there was an informal gathering of family, friends and colleagues on a Sunday in a local park in Cambridgeshire (Wandlebury), which Dan had often visited with Laura, Francis and their dog. It seemed such a fitting tribute to Dan, a celebration of his life, with children and dogs charging around, and it said so much about Dan that so many of us, social workers and guardians as well as barristers and solicitors, came to share a toast.

A memorial for Dan was held at Temple Church on Tuesday 8th November. Fenners Chambers will be organising a memorial for Dan in Cambridge shortly, details to be circulated.

Debra Gold | Fenners Chambers

Fenners Chambers extends its deepest condolences to the royal family. We pay tribute to the Queen’s unwavering service to the UK and Commonwealth.

We join with our colleagues in the legal profession to honour the Queen, a figure in whose name justice has been carried out over the last 70 years.

Her legacy will never be forgotten.

Fenners Chambers will be closed on Monday 19th September for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

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.

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: Robin Hopkins and Araba Taylor

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.