THE Archbishop of York has appointed a new legal advisor as the York solicitor who held the role steps down after 27 years.

Outgoing Registrar of the Diocese of York, Lionel Lennox, has handed over the title to colleague Caroline Mockford.

The pair are both based at the York office of law firm Lupton Fawcett Denison Till, which Mrs Mockford recently joined from Chattertons McKinnells Solicitors in the East Midlands.

In taking up her new role, Mrs Mockford has stepped down as Registrar for the Diocese of Lincoln after six years, to become York Diocesan Registrar and legal advisor to Archbishop Sentamu and his team, which includes 600 churches and 470 parishes.

Mr Lennox will continue as Registrar of the Province of York and takes on the role of deputy York diocesan registrar.

As one of only two provincial registrars in the country, the other acting for the Province of Canterbury, his responsibilities include advising the Archbishop of York on the procedure and legal requirements for the instalment and resignation of bishops, as well as providing assistance with disciplinary issues.

In addition, he has recently been appointed Registrar of the Diocese of Sodor and Man, on the Isle of Man, which was founded in 447.

Elsewhere, at Lupton Fawcett Denison Till's Leeds office, Peter Foskett has been appointed Registrar for the new ‘super diocese’ of West Yorkshire and the Dales, which was created in April this year.

Managing director of Lupton Fawcett Denison Till, Richard Marshall, believes there is great potential for the ecclesiastical team to grow further.

He said: "Our ecclesiastical department has been recognised for its significant expertise by the independent legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

"The addition of Peter and Caroline to the team consolidates that reputation and creates a team of truly national standing."

The diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales is the largest diocese in England at 2,425 square miles, extending to include Ripon as well as the cities of Leeds, Bradford and Wakfield, and including areas from Barnsley in the south to parts of County Durham in the north.

Mr Foskett was formerly Registrar for the Bradford Diocese and was successful in applying for the much larger role following the amalgamation of the four former dioceses.

In his new role he will be the legal advisor to the Bishop of Leeds, the clergy and churchwardens of the new diocese, which has three cathedrals and 656 churches.