Ecclesiastical Legal Aid

Clergy who are the subject of disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 or who are party to certain other proceedings before Church courts and tribunals are eligible to apply for financial assistance towards their legal costs from the Legal Aid Fund established under the Church of England (Legal Aid) Measure 1994. Further details about the proceedings for which legal aid is available can be found here.

Grants from the Legal Aid Fund are discretionary and decisions are made by the Legal Aid Commission. The Commission will have regard to all the circumstances of the case and, in particular, is required to consider the following:

• the financial resources of the applicant and his or her spouse or civil partner; and
• whether the applicant has a reasonable case for taking or defending the proceedings (as the case may be).

A copy of the application form for legal aid, including further details of the grant-making process, can be downloaded here. When completed, the form should be sent to the Secretary to the Legal Aid Commission, the Reverend Judith Egar, at the Legal Office, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ (email judith.egar@c-of-e.org.uk). The form may be returned by email provided that a signed copy is also sent by post.

If you have any questions about the application form or any other aspect of the legal aid process, you are most welcome to contact the Secretary by email or telephone (+44 (0)20 7898 1722).