Legal Resources (Church Of England)
Because it is the Established Church, the Church of England has a significant body of legislation governing its activities. This page will provide links to relevant legal resources. For places of worship of other denominations, see our general ‘Help and Advice‘ page.
We are grateful to the excellent Law and Religion UK blog for this list. Some of the suggestions are from the website of the Inner Temple Library, and others from the website of the Ecclesiatical Law Association. We welcome suggestions for improvement – contact us via the ‘Contact‘ page.
Books
Changing Churches: A practical guide to the faculty system, by Charles Mynors, (2016. ISBN-10: 1441156437, ISBN-13: 978-1441156433). Aimed at parishes as well as lawyers. Charles Mynors is the most senior ecclesiastical judge in England as well as being a churchwarden of a church in London.
Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets: 5th Edition, by Charles Mynors, (to be published by Sweet & Maxwell, 30 September 2017, ISBN: 9780414038158).
Commentary
Mark Hill blog (called ‘Ecclesiastical Law’) Mark Hill is author of Ecclesiastical Law, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, 2007
Law and Religion UK Lively daily commentary on all aspects of law and religion.
Ecclesiastical Law Journal on the Cambridge University Press web site, which includes tables of contents and digests of articles.
Judgements
Legislation etc
Canons of the Church of England
Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991
Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (Amendment) Measure 2015
Church of England Marriage Measure 2008
Clergy Discipline Measure 2003
Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2013
Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2015
Church of England Legal Services: The Inner Temple Library comments:This section of the Church of England’s web site includes lists of Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England in force 1920 onwards, of Statutory Instruments relating to the Church of England 1964 onwards, and of legislation in progress. The Canons of the Church of England, 7th edition (2012), is available to view online. There is also general information on the Synodical legislative process, and information about the Church of England’s disciplinary process.
Church Measures The Inner Temple Library comments:This page of the UK’s official legislation database provides access to Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England and of its predecessor the National Assembly of the Church of England (complete 1988 onwards, partial 1920-1987). Some Measures are available as revised, with an option to access the original text as enacted under “What Version” on the left of the screen. Church Instruments 1991 onwards are available elsewhere on the site via the “Browse Legislation” tab.
Manx Church Law The Inner Temple Library comments: This site provides information about the ecclesiastical law of the Isle of Man with particular reference to differences from the law of England. It is produced by K.F.W. Gumbley, solicitor and Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Sodor and Man Diocesan Synod.
Advice / explanation from the Church of England
Freehold Ownerswhip of Benefice Property (1998)
Parish church – right to enter (2019)
Diocesan Registries