Studdert, who died aged 78, left specific legacies to individuals and churches, and the bulk of his estate to a charity he created in 1985, the EAC Educational Trust.
There was a possibility claims may be brought against the estate for historic sexual abuse in the UK and abroad, but not much material from which to ascertain the identity of survivors. The question for the administrators, therefore, was what reasonable steps should they take?
Studdert had convictions for possessing indecent images of children in 1988 while working as a chaplain at Eagle House School, Sandhurst, attempting to import indecent images in 1996 and, in 2006, pleaded guilty to 26 counts of possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children. His licence to minister was suspended in the 1980s.
In a hearing last year, Chief Master Marsh ordered that the specific legacies be distributed, and that the police and schools be asked to investigate possible assaults.
In In the estate of Michael John de Clare Studdert (deceased) [2020] EWHC 1869 (Ch), Chief Master Marsh ordered that the executors Nockolds Solicitors set up a website in English, Danish, Italian and Polish explaining Studdert’s career and crimes and how victims could claim compensation. It can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/2Df2CYG. Marsh also ordered notifications in these languages on Facebook, Twitter and Wikipedia.
Delivering his judgment, Marsh said: ‘It is of course possible that no victims will come forward. However, there needs to be a reasonable opportunity for claims to be made and a bar on distribution altogether is proportionate for the time being. It remains to be seen how long that bar should remain in place.’
