Legal responsibilities & guidance

Information from the Diocesan Registry about PCCs, patronage, marriage law, church charities and more.

In this section:

Chancel repairs

The liability of some landowners to contribute to the cost of repairing the chancel of a parish church.

Charities

Many parishes benefit from long established parochial charities, whose original purposes were to benefit the poor in the parish or the local church building.

Legal advice & support

The Diocesan Registry provides legal advice and support to the Diocese of Norwich, and specifically to the Diocesan Board of Finance.

Marriage

The principal law relating to marriage in Church of England parish churches is contained in the Marriage Act 1949.

Patronage

Patronage is the right to appoint or present an Incumbent to a benefice.

PCCs

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) is the governing body of a parish church that helps steer the life of the church in its mission, witness and service in the parish. It's also a charity.

APCM forms

Every parish conducts an Annual Parochial Church Meeting not later than the 31 May. Download a range of forms for nominations, finance, Statistics for Mission and more.

Chancel repairs

The liability of some landowners to contribute to the cost of repairing the chancel of a parish church.

Churchwardens

Selection and appointment, duties, handbook and more.

Churchyards & Burials

Information about churchyards, graves, burials, memorials and more.

Clergy

Information for clergy including training, finance, grants, counselling, sabbaticals and more. Includes information for clergy spouses.

Consent & declaration forms

Sample consent and permission forms, confidential declaration forms, reference forms and more.

Data Protection Forms

Every PCC member is required to complete a Data Protection Form where they confirm their contact details and give or withdraw consent for how we share their contact details.

Electoral Roll forms

Every PCC is required to maintain an Electoral Roll of church members. Download the forms in Word and PDF format.

A Faculty is required before carrying out significant work to church buildings or churchyards. The nature of the proposals determines whether faculty or List B (Archdeacon’s) permission needs to be sought, or whether the work falls under List A and does not need any permission (provided any specified conditions are adhered to).

Supporting churches

Legal responsibilities & guidance

In this section:

Chancel repairs

Charities

Legal advice & support

Marriage

Patronage

PCCs

Related content elsewhere on the website:

APCM forms

Chancel repairs

Churchwardens

Churchyards & Burials

Clergy

Consent & declaration forms

Data Protection Forms

Electoral Roll forms

Faculties, List A and List B

Food safety law & church activities

GDPR for churches

Licensing law & church activities