A Legacy of Trust: Supporting Durham Cathedral through the Years

Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic religious buildings in the UK, has stood as a beacon of faith, history, and architecture for over 900 years. While its spiritual and cultural significance is timeless, the Cathedral has also embraced the evolving needs of the modern world, balancing heritage with innovation and community.

For over two decades, Swinburne Maddison has been a trusted legal partner to Durham Cathedral, supporting its mission across a wide range of legal services. From commercial property and employment law to high-profile film agreements and legacy planning, our relationship with the Cathedral is built on trust, discretion, and shared values.

The Situation: A living landmark with complex needs

Durham Cathedral is more than a place of worship; it is a living institution, an employer, a tourist destination and a cultural venue. Managing such a multifaceted organisation requires legal expertise that is as diverse as the Cathedral’s operations.

Our involvement dates back to the days of Wilson Maddison, pre-merger, and has grown into a comprehensive legal partnership, working with key departments and leaders within the Cathedral. While much of our work remains confidential, we are proud to highlight several well-known examples that showcase the breadth and depth of our support.

The Solution: Legal expertise across every aspect of Cathedral life

At Swinburne Maddison, we understand that working with a historic and sacred institution like Durham Cathedral requires a unique blend of legal precision, cultural sensitivity and commercial awareness.

Our support spans a wide range of services, but here are four key areas where our expertise has made a lasting impact.

Film & Media Contracts From Marvel to Hogwarts

Durham Cathedral has become a globally recognised filming location, and we’ve been proud to support its journey into the spotlight.

Marvel Studios – Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The Cathedral’s Galilee Chapel was transformed into the Asgardian Palace. Supported by our commercial team, we negotiated the Location Agreement with Marvel Studios, ensuring the filming respected the sacred space and that licensing rights in connection with project specific merchandise were clearly identified.

Warner Bros. – Harry Potter Franchise

Durham Cathedral famously featured in the early Harry Potter films, serving as the backdrop for Hogwarts’ classrooms and cloisters. Our team worked closely with Warner Bros. to secure location agreements that protected the Cathedral’s image and ensured appropriate use of the space.

These high-profile projects required careful negotiation to balance commercial opportunity with the Cathedral’s values and heritage. We ensured all content was respectful, contracts were detailed and exhaustive, and the Cathedral’s rights were fully protected.

Commercial Agreements – Protecting priceless heritage

The Cathedral’s operations extend far beyond worship. From exhibitions to retail, we’ve helped structure commercial agreements that support its mission and financial sustainability.

Magna Carta and the North exhibition

To support the display of Magna Carta in Durham Cathedral Museum, our commercial team advised on how to protect this priceless and historically significant document. We negotiated contractual protections associated with risk mitigation strategies to ensure paramount safety during transportation and display.

As custodians of a piece of living history, we remain dedicated to helping preserve its legacy for generations to come.

 

Employment Law – Supporting employees and volunteers

Durham Cathedral relies on a dedicated team of employees and volunteers to deliver its services and maintain its operations.

Our employment law team, led by Jonathan Moreland, has provided ongoing support including:

• • HR policy development and restructuring

• •  Advising upon contractual matters and terms for personnel

• • Volunteer agreements and safeguarding protocols

We understand the unique dynamics of working with both paid staff and volunteers in a religious and heritage setting, and we tailor our advice accordingly.

Other Legal Support – A collaborative approach

Our relationship with Durham Cathedral is built on trust and longevity. Beyond the high-profile projects, we’ve supported the Cathedral with:

• • Dispute Resolution – Including tenant and agricultural matters
  • Private Client Services – Legacy planning, wills, and charitable giving
  • Corporate and Commercial Advice – Across all aspects of Cathedral governance
  • Commercial and Residential Property – promotion agreements, sales and tenancy matters,
  • Café and Retail Leases –  structuring leases for its café and shop operations, ensuring fair terms, compliance, and long-term viability.

The Results: A legacy preserved, a future supported

Durham Cathedral continues to flourish as a spiritual, cultural, and economic pillar of the North East. Our enduring legal partnership has helped ensure:

• Heritage is protected – Every agreement is crafted with deep respect for the Cathedral’s sacred and historical significance.

• Revenue is secured – Commercial ventures are structured to support long-term sustainability and growth.

• People are supported – From staff to volunteers, employment matters are handled with care, clarity, and compliance.

• The Cathedral’s voice is heard – Whether in global media or legal negotiations, we ensure its values and interests are represented with integrity.

What Durham Catherdral had to say…

We are proud to stand alongside Durham Cathedral, not only as legal advisors, but as committed supporters of its key events and initiatives.

 

 

 

“Swinburne Maddison has been more than a legal advisor, they’ve been a partner in our journey. Their understanding of our values, combined with their breadth of legal expertise across multiple disciplines, has been invaluable in helping us navigate the complexities of modern cathedral life.”

Guy Sampson, COO, Durham Cathedral

A trusted partner in preservation.

 

At Swinburne Maddison, we’re proud to support institutions like Durham Cathedral, where history meets the future.

Whether it’s negotiating commercial contracts, advising on employment law or protecting priceless artefacts, we’re here to help our clients grow with confidence.

Looking for a legal team that understands your mission? Let’s talk.

Call us on 0191 384 2441