Ecclesiastical Law Solicitors | Church of England Canon Law

Welcome to the Diocesan Registry

Here you will find information about the work of the Diocesan registry teams in the Dioceses we serve, being Exeter, Guildford, London, Norwich and St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich. You will also be able to find answers to many frequently asked questions about the law relating to the Church of England and its clergy, dioceses and parishes.

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Meet the ecclesiastical team

Our dedicated ecclesiastical lawyers bring extensive legal expertise, advising clergy, laity, church officers, parishes, dioceses, national church institutions, bishops, and cathedral deans and chapters on a wide range of matters.

Kevin Wilson
Head of Ecclesiastical

Meet the full team

The work of the Diocesan Registry

Each Diocese of the Church of England has two Legal Officers, the Chancellor and the Registrar, who may have deputies. The following are the main areas of work undertaken by the Registrar at the Diocesan Registry:

Governance

The Church of England operates within a complex legal and structural framework and understanding how this works is essential for dioceses, parishes, and clergy.

Ministry

These pages provide guidance and practical information for clergy, parishes and those involved in ecclesiastical administration .

Property

Ecclesiastical property is subject to a distinctive legal framework combining statute, charity law and trust principles.

Faculties

The Faculty Jurisdiction is the system of law governing works to churches and other consecrated buildings and land.

Marriage

We advise on all aspects of Church of England marriage law, including eligibility, banns and licences, and more complex or unusual cases.

Churchyards

Churchyards are subject to the Faculty Jurisdiction of the Church of England, and many matters require careful legal oversight.