Louise Connacher

Louise has been practising law for over 25 years, initially solely in the employment field, and subsequently as an ecclesiastical lawyer.

Ecclesiastical law

Louise’s ecclesiastical law practice includes work as a Diocesan Registrar and as the Provincial Registrar for the North of England.  She advises on a wide variety of issues, including:

• Faculty matters
• Safeguarding
• GDPR/data protection in the ecclesiastical context
• The ordination and licensing of clergy
• The appointment and consecration of Bishops
• Pastoral reorganisation
• Occasional offices – baptism, marriage and funerals
• Churchyards including memorials and exhumation
• Matters relating to PCCs and churchwardens
• Clergy discipline

Louise’s appointments include:

• Registrar of the Diocese of Sodor and Man
• Registrar of the Diocese of York
• Registrar of the Province of York
• Deputy Registrar of the Diocese of Leeds
• Deputy Registrar of the Diocese of Blackburn

She also acts for individual clients on matters such as safeguarding, clergy discipline and data protection.

Louise regularly delivers seminars and training for ecclesiastical clients, including IME training for clergy, training for churchwardens, and workshops on GDPR/data protection in the ecclesiastical context.  She is an ILM-accredited trainer.

Professional Societies

• Law Society
• Ecclesiastical Law Association
• Ecclesiastical Law Society
• Employment Lawyers’ Association

When not at work

Louise’s perfect day out would be to indulge in her unusual hobby of church bell ringing during the morning, before walking to a country pub where she would then quench her thirst with some Yorkshire-brewed real ale. Her greatest achievement outside of work has been leading a £63,000 project to restore the 18th-century bells of her local church to full working order with the help of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant. She is also a Kindle addict and loves to curl up with a good e-book.