Frances Godden

Frances specialises in charity and ecclesiastical law, and the law as it relates to matters of art and heritage. She also has extensive experience in certain technical aspects of education law, including reverter and educational endowment orders. Frances acts for a wide range of clients including charities of all purposes, sizes and structures, advising on establishment and registration of new charities; governance and constitutional matters including revisions to governing documents; applications to amend charitable purposes and restrictions on permanent endowment; mergers and closures of charities; charity board disputes; and Charity Commission statutory inquiries. She has particular insight and expertise when acting for ecclesiastical and faith-focused charities, especially Church of England bodies, as well as museums and galleries holding substantive cultural heritage assets. A former Deputy Diocesan Registrar as well as Deputy Diocesan Secretary, Frances has worked extensively for the Church of England locally and nationally, advising Diocesan Boards of Finance and Education, parishes and clergy of the law of the Church of England and its structure, processes and application, particularly regarding charities and trusts, patronage, pastoral reorganisation and the faculty jurisdiction as it applies to church buildings and assets. She also advises clergy and others in matters relating to clergy discipline and complaints. An active member of the Institute of Art and Law, and holder of the Sotheby’s Institute’s Certificate in Art Law, Frances is also well placed to offer advice on legal issues as they affect matters of art and heritage, cultural property, or private or commercial clients in that sector, particularly charitable institutions with valuable collections. She has particular recent experience on matters of contested heritage in sacred settings. Frances further advises Diocesan Boards of Education and Church of England schools and HFE institutions, particularly on their constitutions and governing documents. She has established numerous single and multi-academy trusts, and has worked on multiple successful conversions and mergers, as well as negotiating important updates and revisions to legal documentation with the Department for Education. · Stone King LLP