The Diocesan Registry deals with a large proportion of the legal matters affecting the diocese, the parishes and their officers within the diocese. The team is based at Batt Broadbent Solicitors in Salisbury. The Chancellor works both independently and in consultation with the two Registrars and the Registry clerks.
The Registrars are also the Bishop’s Legal Secretaries, and are responsible for advising the Diocesan and Suffragan Bishops on the law generally, in addition to ecclesiastical law, as far as it affects the Church and diocese.
All clergy, churchwardens and parish officers may contact the Registry for advice on:
- Telephone 01722 432390
- E-mail registry@battbroadbent.co.uk
- Address Salisbury Diocesan Registry, Minster Chambers, 42/44 Castle Street, Salisbury SP1 3TX
- Website https://www.battbroadbent.co.uk/church/
The work of the Chancellor
Each diocese has an ecclesiastical court - the Consistory Court - and this is presided over by the Chancellor. The Chancellor is appointed by the Diocesan Bishop, but remains independent. Much of the Chancellor’s work deals with national faculty legislation, controlling works to and around consecrated churches and churchyards. The Chancellor also sets the parameters for Churchyard Regulations, which are specific to each diocese. This work is administered by and through the Diocesan Registry. The Chancellor sometimes hears disputed matters in open court. In addition, Common Marriage licences are issued under the Chancellor’s Seal and general legal advice is provided for the bishop in the role of Vicar-General.
Registry advice and work includes:
- Ordinations
- Vacancies (Parish and benefice)
- Churchwardens and PCC officers
- Churchyards
- Regulations
- Memorials
- Consecrations
- Maintenance and responsibility
- Faculty applications
- Online system
- Grace space reservations
- Exhumations
- Marriage
- Banns
- Common Licence
- Surrogates
The Registry Team includes:
Ruth Arlow
Chancellor
Sue de Candole
Registrar
The Revd Gavin Foster
Registrar
Sarah Hart
Senior Registry Clerk
Anita Jeans
Registry Clerk
Abi Willerton
Registry Clerk
