27/02/2023
The Diocesan Chancellor acts as the independent Judge of the Diocesan Consistory Court; Lyndsey will oversee legal issues across the Diocese, especially those which relate to the use of and reordering of church buildings and land including churchyards, and other legal matters.
Lyndsey de Mestre is originally from Northumberland, now lives in London, and is a barrister, practising from XXIV Old Buildings chambers in Lincoln’s Inn. She specialises in international arbitration, insolvency, company and commercial law mediation. Since 2019 she has been Chancellor of the Diocese of St Albans (having previously been Deputy Chancellor) and from 2020 to 2023, Chancellor of the Diocese of Leicester.
"I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed as Chancellor for the Diocese of York," said Lyndsey.
"I succeed His Honour Canon Peter Collier KC, who has been an outstanding Chancellor. It is a privilege to take forward Peter’s work in service of the Church in the Diocese, with its hugely important heritage and magnificent range of buildings. In doing so I will draw on my experience as Chancellor for the Dioceses of St Albans and Leicester to reflect the Church of England’s responsibility as custodian of some of the nation’s most important historic and architectural heritage, whilst also encouraging parishes in the imaginative, appropriate and environmentally responsible use of church buildings to ensure that our communities are best equipped to meet the needs of 21st century worship."
Lyndsey is an experienced chair of Bishops', Bar and Police disciplinary panels. She has served on the board of Hammersmith Fulham Ealing & Hounslow MIND, and as a sub-committee member of the Advisory Committee on Clinical Impact Awards. She has a Master’s degree in Law from Downing College, Cambridge (1st class LLM). Married to barrister Andrew de Mestre KC, she has two teenage children and two dogs, and enjoys reading, singing (with the Bar choral society), long-distance walking with family and friends and wild swimming.
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said, "I’m delighted that Lyndsey de Mestre has agreed to be the next Chancellor of the Diocese of York. As well as substantial experience from two other dioceses, Lyndsey brings warmth and rigour to this important work. She has a very approachable style and a firm faith. I'm very much looking forward to working with her.
"I'd also like to thank His Honour Canon Peter Collier KC for his wisdom and care as Chancellor over many years. I wish him well both in his retirement, and in his continuing role as Vicar General."
