Legal Opinions and other guidance

The Legal Advisory Commission of the General Synod of the Church of England exists to give advice on non-contentious legal matters of general interest to the Church which are referred to it by the Synod or one of its Houses, by any of the National Church Institutions, by the Church's legal officers (diocesan registrars and chancellors) and by other officers such as archdeacons and diocesan secretaries. From time to time the Commission's advice has been published in consolidated form as the Legal Opinions Concerning the Church of England, which have established themselves as authoritative in the various areas of ecclesiastical law they cover.

A comprehensively revised and updated eighth edition of the Legal Opinions was published by Church House Publishing in 2007. Subjects of new or significantly revised Opinions include:

• the clergy and confidentiality
• appointment of non-stipendiary ministers as incumbents
• consecration of sites for 'green' burials
• ownership of tombstones and monuments in churchyards
• disturbances during services in cathedrals
• legal responsibilities of PCC members

The eighth edition of the Legal Opinions is available for purchase here. New and revised Opinions issued by the Legal Advisory Commission since the preparation of the 2007 edition are available for download as follows:

• maintenance of monuments in closed churchyards (January 2007)
• parish churches and fire safety (October 2007)
• marriage – flowers and timing (October 2007)
• enforcement of chancel repair liability by PCCs (October 2007)
• ringing of church bells and liability for nuisance (revised October 2008)

OTHER GUIDANCE

Chancel repair liability

Neither the Legal Office nor the Church Commissioners is a central authority for the purposes of establishing chancel repair liability. Answers to some frequently asked questions are available here, and further information in the form of a National Archives Information leaflet is available here. See also the Legal Advisory Commission's Opinion on enforcement of chancel repair liability by PCCs above.

Equality Act 2006

The Equality Act 2006 – relating to religion and belief, and sexual orientation – came into force on 30 April 2007. Guidance on this legislation has been issued by the Archbishops' Council and is available here. The guidance is intended as a basic guide for dioceses, parishes and incumbents and should not be treated as a substitute for specific legal advice.