THE Ecclesiastical Law Society has published a new curriculum for clergy and church office-holders, which provides an overview of essential legal measures for those holding any office in the Church.

Two documents, one for the clergy and the other for lay office-holders, suggest the basis of a curriculum for those teaching ecclesiastical law, and give an overview of the topics. There are links to the Measures themselves.

The four-page document for lay office-holders, including churchwardens and PCC members, covers jurisdiction, including the Church Representation Rules, the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956, the Churchwardens Measure 2001, the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure 2018, The Charities and Data Protection Acts, and faculties, as well as the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016.

The Measures with which clergy are to be familiar are listed in seven pages.

Chancellor Mark Hill QC, who chairs the society, said that the publication of curricula was a significant step forward in helping the society’s purpose of supporting education in ecclesiastical law, and that it was much needed, as training in ecclesiastical law in dioceses was patchy. “The recent e-questionnaire conducted by the society suggests that there is quite a lot of training going on in many dioceses, but it is generally diffused and ad hoc.”

The documents were not perfect, he said, but were intended as a resource for the wider Church, and would be kept under review.

The documents are available at ecclawsoc.org.uk.