The Diocese has two legal officers, a chancellor and a registrar. The chancellor is the judge of the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Bristol and he determines faculty applications. Bristol Diocese’s chancellor is Justin Gau, of Pump Court Chambers, Temple, London. Lee Coley, a partner in Stone King LLP, is the registrar. He is also registrar of the Diocese of Leicester.
The Registry is the diocese’s legal team and has responsibility for advising Bishop Viv, the senior staff, the diocesan office team, clergy and other parish officers on any legal issue relating to their role, ministry or parish life. It keeps records relating to churches, patrons and clergy, and advises on licences and other paperwork required for clergy and lay appointments. It also helps and supports clergy and PCC office holders. The types of things it deals with include:
• faculty applications via the online faculty system
• amendments to faculties
• memorials
• gravespace reservations
• exhumations
• consecration of new churchyards
• closed churchyards
• parish churchyard regulations
• PCC governance
• clergy discipline
• wedding banns
• marriage licences
• temporary licences to hold services in alternative buildings whilst works are carried out
• ecumenical sharing agreements
• land ownership and use
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Lee Coley Diocesan Registrar Contact Phone: 07989 205926 Stone King LLP, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HR |
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Frances Reynolds Registry Assistant Contact Phone: 020 7796 1007 Stone King LLP, Boundary House, 91 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6HR |
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Davinia Davey Apprentice Solicitor Contact Phone: 01225 337599 Stone King LLP, Upper Borough Court (UBC), Upper Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1R |
Here are some guidance notes on topics the registry is frequently asked about. Please email bristolregistry@stoneking.co.uk for more details.
Banns and marriage licences
Gravespace reservations
How to close a churchyard
Local authority responsibility for maintenance of close churchyards
Memorial petitions
The registry produces updates for clergy and office holders upon changes in the law and practice. Click on the links below to download copies.
[Summer update to follow soon]
You may also find the following official guidance of help:
Details of new marriage rules post-Brexit
Q&A about post-Brexit marriages
Exhumation Guidance
Churchyard regulations