HLF Berry Solicitor Donna Myers Appointed Lay Canon of Manchester Cathedral

HLF Berry is delighted to announce that Donna Myers has been appointed as a Lay Canon of Manchester Cathedral. The appointment recognises Donna’s significant contribution to the life and work of the Diocese, alongside her professional role as Diocesan Registrar and Legal Secretary to the Bishop of Manchester.

Donna joined HLF Berry as a solicitor in 2008 and has developed extensive expertise in ecclesiastical law. She became Deputy Diocesan Registrar in 2018 before being appointed Diocesan Registrar and a member of the firm in 2022. As Registrar, she provides legal advice and support to the Bishop, Archdeacons, clergy, parish officers and Parochial Church Councils across the Diocese of Manchester.

Her work encompasses a wide range of ecclesiastical and charity law matters, including faculties, church governance, clergy matters, land and property, charitable trusts and other legal issues affecting the life of the Church.

The Diocese of Manchester described Donna as someone who “consistently goes above and beyond” in her role as Registrar, highlighting her professionalism, wisdom, good humour and almost 18 years of experience in ecclesiastical and canon law, alongside secular charity law.

What is a Lay Canon?

Each Cathedral has a body of clergy and lay members, known as the College of Canons, appointed as a link between the cathedral and wider diocese. At Manchester Cathedral the College includes the Dean and residentiary canons, 24 honorary clergy canons, four distinguished clergy canons, two ecumenical canons and 12 lay canons.

As Donna explains:

“Lay canons are generally recognised for significant and faithful service, commitment, or outstanding contribution to the church. The title is a mark of distinction and we may use the title ‘Canon’ before our names. However, this does not mean that we are ordained or have form of any priestly authority.”

For Donna, the appointment represents a particularly meaningful recognition of the contribution she has made through her work supporting the Diocese and its people.

A career dedicated to ecclesiastical law

Donna’s appointment as a Lay Canon is a fitting recognition of a career that has become closely connected with the legal and pastoral life of the Church.

When Donna was appointed Diocesan Registrar in 2022, she reflected on her journey into ecclesiastical law, having initially joined HLF Berry without formal training in the specialist area.

Over the years, she developed a particular enthusiasm for the variety and breadth of ecclesiastical law. Her work has involved everything from governance and legal issues concerning churches and clergy to property matters, faculties and other complex issues affecting parishes and the Diocese.

HLF Berry has a long association with providing specialist legal support to the Diocese of Manchester, and Donna is now the fourth solicitor from the firm to serve as Diocesan Registrar.

Today, Donna continues to work from HLF Berry’s Bury office, leading the firm’s ecclesiastical law team, providing specialist legal advice to the Diocese and those involved in church life.

Installation at Manchester Cathedral

Donna and the other newly appointed canons will formally be installed at an Evensong service at Manchester Cathedral on Monday 28 September 2026.

The Diocese has described the appointments as recognition of the dedicated service of the new Canons to the Diocese of Manchester and the wider Church.

Everyone at HLF Berry would like to congratulate Canon Donna Myers on this well-deserved honour.

We are incredibly proud of Donna and delighted that her years of professional expertise, dedication and service to the Diocese of Manchester have been recognised in this way.

Ecclesiastical Law at HLF Berry

HLF Berry has considerable experience in ecclesiastical law and provides specialist legal advice and support to dioceses, clergy, parish officers and Parochial Church Councils.

Our ecclesiastical law team can assist with a wide range of matters, including faculties, church governance, clergy and parish matters, property, charitable trusts and other legal issues affecting churches and religious organisations.

To find out more about our ecclesiastical law services, please visit https://hlfberry.com/our-services/ecclesiastical-law/