Ecclesiastical Law Association is a specialized association of English legal professionals dedicated to serving the Church of England, offering expert guidance on the unique and complex body of ecclesiastical law. It distinguishes itself as the primary collective for lawyers working within the church’s administrative and legal framework, providing a network of expertise and resources.
The association comprises a distinguished membership including Diocesan Registrars, Deputy Registrars, Cathedral Chapter Clerks, and solicitors and barristers from the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council. This composition ensures comprehensive coverage of all legal matters affecting the Church, from parish-level issues to national church governance, making it an indispensable resource for clergy, dioceses, and church institutions.
Services Offered
- Law firm services
- Legal counsel for Diocesan Registries
- Advice on churchyards and graves
- Exhumations legal guidance
- Extensions and reordering approvals
- Heating systems regulations
- Memorials permissions and disputes
- Organs and paintings conservation law
- Repairs and maintenance compliance
- Telecommunications installations in church properties
- Judgments and legal precedents research
- Appeals process management
- Miscellaneous ecclesiastical legal issues
The association serves the 42 Church of England Dioceses in England and the Diocese of Europe, providing authoritative legal support exclusively within the ecclesiastical sphere and contributing to the development of church law through published judgments and resources.
