Faculty Procedure - Preliminary Matters

Preliminary Matters

1. Some useful addresses:

   Mr Paul Morris
   Registrar of the Diocese of London
   Winckworth Sherwood
   Minerva House
   5 Montague Close
   London SE1 9BB
   Tel: 020 7593 5000
   Fax: 020 7593 5099

   Mr Geoffrey Hunter
   Head of Care of Churches
   London Diocesan House
   36 Causton Street
   London SW1P 4AU
   Tel: 020 7932 1230

2. Before any works or alterations are carried out to a Church or its furnishings, or in the Churchyard or curtilage, or before anything is introduced into or removed from a Church, the law requires that it be authorised by a Faculty. The grant of a Faculty is a judicial process. Applications are considered by the Chancellor of the Diocese, who is the Judge of the Consistory Court.
3. There are certain minor works which the Chancellor has said may be carried out without formal authority. These are specified in what is known as the "de minimis" list. Before carrying out any works thought to be de minimis consult the Archdeacon or the Diocesan Registry.
4. The Chancellor makes decisions on the basis of the evidence before the Chancellor, although a Court Hearing is not normally necessary. In making a decision the Chancellor takes into account the advice of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (see below).
5. Matters requiring a Faculty are first scrutinised by the Diocesan Advisory Committee ("DAC"). Once the DAC has issued its advice, a Petition for Faculty should be completed.
6. The Registrar submits Petitions for decision by the Chancellor at the appropriate time. Full details of the procedure are set out in the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2000 made under the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991. A simplified version of the procedure is set out below. This will apply in most cases when a Parish applies for a Faculty.
7. The necessary forms can be obtained from the DAC Secretary or the Registrar at the above addresses.