Statutory Instruments
2015 No. 1954
Ecclesiastical Law, England
The Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2015
Made
25th November 2015
Laid before Parliament
3rd December 2015
Coming into force
1st March 2016
In accordance with section 6(3) of the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986( 1 ), this Order has been laid before, and approved by, the General Synod.
The Fees Advisory Commission, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 6(1), (1A) and (2) of that Measure, makes the following Order:
Citation, commencement and application
1. —(1) This Order may be cited as the Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2015.
(2) This Order comes into operation on 1st March 2016.
(3) In the application of this Order to the diocese of Canterbury—
(a) a reference to the consistory court is to be read as a reference to the commissary court of that diocese, and
(b) a reference to the chancellor is, accordingly, to be read as a reference to the Commissary General.
Faculty fees payable to diocesan boards of finance
2. —(1) This article applies in relation to a petition for a faculty in respect of a building or part of a building, a curtilage of a building or an object or structure fixed to a building or part of a building or within its curtilage, which is subject to the faculty jurisdiction by virtue of section 3(2) of the Care of Places of Worship Measure 1999( 2 ).
(2) On the submission of the petition, a fee of £197 is payable to the diocesan board of finance in respect of work done in relation to the petition (before or after it is submitted) by the diocesan advisory committee or an archdeacon in the diocese.
(3) But the diocesan board of finance may waive the whole or part of that fee, having regard to any financial contribution made to the funds of the diocese by—
(a) those responsible for the building concerned, or
(b) any other person who has a substantial interest in or connection with the building.
(4) No fee is payable under this article in the case of—
(a) a building of the kind specified in section 1(2)(e) of the Care of Places of Worship Measure 1999 (building subject to a sharing agreement), or
(b) a chapel forming part of Lambeth Palace.
(5) In this article, “diocesan board of finance”, in relation to a diocese, means the board of that name constituted under the Diocesan Boards of Finance Measure 1925( 3 )
The register of patrons under Part 1 of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986
3. —(1) This article applies in relation to work done by a diocesan registrar in connection with—
(a) a search in the register of patrons maintained under Part 1 of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986( 4 ),
(b) the making of an extract from that register, or
(c) the supply of a certified copy of an entry in that register.
(2) The fee payable for the work is a fee of the amount calculated in accordance with the Solicitors’ (Non-Contentious Business) Remuneration Order 2009( 5 ), except in so far as the work is within the scope of any annual fee for the time being payable to the diocesan registrar by virtue of section 5(1) of the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986.
(3) The fee is payable by the person making the search or extract or requesting the copy.
Proceedings before the consistory court
4. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings in a consistory court.
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 1, the fee specified in the second or third column is payable to the chancellor or the registrar (as the case may be).
Table 1
Chancellor £ | Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Submission of petition for a faculty. | 49 | 200 |
| 2. | Application for an injunction or restoration order under section 13 of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991( 6 ) (“the 1991 Measure”). | 49 | 200 |
| 3. | The making of an injunction or restoration order under section 13 of the 1991 Measure on the court’s own initiative. | 49 | 200 |
| 4. | Application for an order under section 18 of the 1991 Measure. | 61 | 144 |
| 5. | Application for a determination under section 68(12) of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011( 7 ). | 102 | 102 |
| 6. | Commencement of any other proceedings which a consistory court has jurisdiction to hear and determine. | 61 | 144 |
| 7. | Application for security for costs (otherwise than at a hearing in respect of which a fee is payable under item 8)— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 252 126 | 200 100 |
| 8. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 252 126 | 200 100 |
| 9. | The making of an order that proceedings are to be determined on the consideration of written representations (including the giving of directions for the purpose of determining proceedings on such a consideration). | - | 100 |
| 10. | Consideration of written representations (per hour). | 126 | - |
| 11. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— (a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 315 630 | 250 500 |
| 12. | Inspection of a location, a church or other building or anything else (except where the inspection takes place on the same occasion as a hearing) (per hour). | 126 | 100 |
| 13. | Preparation of written judgment or form of order (per hour). | 126 | - |
| 14. | Application for assessment of costs by the registrar. | - | 200 |
| 15. | Lodging an appeal to the chancellor against an assessment of costs by the registrar. | 210 | - |
| 16. | Application to set aside or amend a faculty, judgment, order or decree. | 154 | 51 |
| 17. | Application to vary a lease or any term of a lease under section 68(7) of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. | 61 | 144 |
| 18. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | - | 140 |
(3) In the case of a matter which comes within item 10, 12, 13 or 18, the chancellor or the registrar (as the case may be) must certify the number of hours spent.
(4) In the case of a matter which comes within item 18, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the chancellor so directs.
(5) In the case of a matter for which no fee is specified in Table 1, a fee is payable to the registrar of the amount for the time being prescribed under section 92 of the Courts Act 2003( 8 ) in the case of the equivalent matter in the High Court.
(6) Where the Vicar-General’s court of the Province of Canterbury exercises the faculty jurisdiction of the consistory court by virtue of section 3(5)(a) of the Care of Places of Worship Measure 1999—
(a) a reference in this article to the chancellor is to be read as a reference to the Vicar-General, and
(b) a reference in this article to the registrar is to be read as a reference to the registrar of the province of Canterbury acting as registrar of the Vicar-General’s court.
Appeals from consistory court
5. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings on an appeal from a consistory court.
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 2, the fee specified in the second or third column is payable to the judge or the registrar (as the case may be).
Table 2
Judge £ | Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Application to the chancellor for a certificate under section 10(3) of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963( 9 ) and (if needed) for leave to appeal. | 123 | 41 |
| 2. | Application to the Dean of the Arches and Auditor for leave to appeal. | 235 | 128 |
| 3. | The holding of a hearing by the chancellor or the Dean of the Arches and Auditor on an application for leave to appeal. | 424 | 318 |
| 4. | Lodging notice of appeal with the Arches Court of Canterbury, the Chancery Court of York or the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved. | - | 128 |
| 5. | Application for security for costs (otherwise than at a hearing in respect of which a fee is payable under item 6)— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 340 170 | 255 128 |
| 6. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 340 170 | 255 128 |
| 7. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— (a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 424 848 | 318 636 |
| 8. | Preparation of written judgment or form of order (per hour). | 170 | - |
| 9. | Application for assessment of costs by the registrar. | - | 255 |
| 10. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | - | 128 |
(3) In the case of the Arches Court of Canterbury or the Chancery Court of York—
(a) a fee under item 6 is payable to each member of the Court who joins in the giving of the directions or the making of the order concerned;
(b) a fee under item 7 is payable to each member of the Court involved in the hearing;
(c) a fee under item 8 is payable to each member of the Court who prepares a separate written judgment or is principally responsible for drafting the form of order.
(4) In the case of the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved, no fee is payable under items 6 to 8 to members of the Court.
(5) In the case of a matter which comes within item 8 or 10, the judge or the registrar (as the case may be) must certify the number of hours spent.
(6) In the case of a matter which comes within item 10, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the judge so directs.
(7) In this article, “judge” means the person presiding over the court concerned.
Proceedings on review by Commission of Review
6. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings on a review under section 11 or 14 of the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011( 10 ) (“the 2011 Measure”) by a Commission of Review constituted under section 11 of that Measure.
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 3, the fee specified in the second or third column is payable to the judge or the registrar (as the case may be).
Table 3
Judge £ | Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The making of a request under section 11(1) or (2) or 14(1) of the 2011 Measure. | - | 128 |
| 2. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 340 170 | 255 128 |
| 3. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— | ||
(a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 424 848 | 318 636 | |
| 4. | Inspection of a location, a cathedral or other building or anything else (except where the inspection takes place on the same occasion as a hearing) (per hour). | 170 | 128 |
| 5. | Preparation of written judgment or form of order (per hour). | 170 | - |
| 6. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | - | 128 |
(3) In the case of a matter which comes within item 4, 5 or 6, the judge or the registrar (as the case may be) must certify the number of hours spent.
(4) In the case of a matter which comes within item 6, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the judge so directs.
(5) In this article, “judge” means the person who is a member of the Commission of Review by virtue of section 11(3)(a) of the 2011 Measure.
Proceedings in Vicar-General’s court
7. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings before the Vicar-General’s court of either province under the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011 (“the 2011 Measure”).
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 4, the fee specified in the second or third column is payable to the Vicar-General or the registrar (as the case may be).
Table 4
Vicar-General £ | Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Institution of proceedings for an injunction or restoration order under section 18 of the 2011 Measure. | 49 | 140 |
| 2. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 252 126 | 200 100 |
| 3. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— | ||
(a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 315 630 | 250 500 | |
| 4. | Inspection of a location, a cathedral or other building or anything else (except where the inspection takes place on the same occasion as a hearing) (per hour). | 126 | 100 |
| 5. | Preparation of written judgment or form of order (per hour). | 126 | - |
| 6. | Application for assessment of costs by the registrar. | - | 200 |
| 7. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | - | 100 |
(3) A fee under this article is payable by the Archbishops’ Council under section 62 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963.
(4) In the case of a matter which comes within item 4, 5 or 7, the Vicar-General or the registrar (as the case may be) must certify the number of hours spent.
(5) In the case of a matter which comes within item 7, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the Vicar-General so directs.
Proceedings on certain ecclesiastical offences
8. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings before the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved under section 10(1)(a) of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963 (offences against the laws ecclesiastical involving matter of doctrine, ritual or ceremonial).
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 5, the fee specified in the second column is payable to the registrar.
Table 5
Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 255 128 |
| 2. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— (a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 255 128 |
| 3. | Inspection of a location, building or anything else (except where the inspection takes place on the same occasion as a hearing) (per hour). | 128 |
| 4. | Preparation of form of order (per hour). | 128 |
| 5. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | 128 |
(3) A fee under this article is payable by the Archbishops’ Council under section 62 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963.
(4) In the case of a matter which comes within item 3, 4 or 5, the registrar must certify the number of hours spent.
(5) In the case of a matter which comes within item 5, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved so directs.
Proceedings on review of finding of Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved
9. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings on a review by a Commission of Review under section 11 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963 (“the 1963 Measure”) (review of a finding of the Court of Ecclesiastical Causes Reserved) where the provincial registrar is appointed as registrar of the Commission of Review.
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 6, the fee specified in the second column is payable to the registrar.
Table 6
Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 255 128 |
| 2. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— (a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 318 636 |
| 3. | Preparation of form of order (per hour). | 128 |
| 4. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | 128 |
(3) A fee under this article is payable—
(a) in proceedings on a case of the kind referred to in section 11(2)(a) of the 1963 Measure, by the Archbishops’ Council under section 62 of that Measure;
(b) in proceedings on a case of the kind referred to in section 11(2)(b) of that Measure, by the person whom the Commission of Review orders to pay the fee.
(4) In the case of a matter which comes within item 3 or 4, the registrar must certify the number of hours spent.
(5) In the case of a matter which comes within item 4, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the Commission of Review so directs.
Disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003
10. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings instituted under section 10 of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003( 11 ).
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 7, the fee specified in the second or third column is payable to the judge or the registrar (as the case may be).
Table 7
Judge £ | Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 252 126 | 200 100 |
| 2. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— (a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 315 630 | 250 500 |
| 3. | Inspection of a location, building or anything else (except where the inspection takes place on the same occasion as a hearing) (per hour). | 126 | 100 |
| 4. | Preparation of written judgment or form of order (per hour). | 126 | - |
| 5. | Application for assessment of costs by the registrar. | - | 100 |
| 6. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | - | 100 |
(3) A fee under this article is, by virtue of section 35 of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003, payable by the Archbishops’ Council under section 62 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963.
(4) In the case of a matter which comes within item 3, 4 or 6, the judge or the registrar (as the case may be) must certify the number of hours spent.
(5) In the case of a matter which comes within item 6, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the judge so directs.
(6) In this article, “judge” means the person presiding over the tribunal or court concerned.
Appeals under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003
11. —(1) This article applies in relation to proceedings under section 20 of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 (right of appeal).
(2) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 8, the fee specified in the second or third column is payable to the Dean of the Arches and Auditor or the registrar (as the case may be).
Table 8
Dean of the Arches and Auditor £ | Registrar £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Application for leave to appeal under section 20(1A) of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003. | 235 | 128 |
| 2. | The giving of directions or the making of an interlocutory order— (a) at a hearing; (b) without a hearing. | 340 170 | 255 128 |
| 3. | The holding of a hearing (other than a hearing solely for giving directions or making an interlocutory order)— (a) for each period of half a day or less; (b) for each period of more than half a day and up to a whole day. | 424 848 | 318 636 |
| 4. | Preparation of written judgment or form of order (per hour). | 170 | - |
| 5. | Application for assessment of costs by the registrar. | - | 276 |
| 6. | Preparatory or ancillary work, including sending correspondence (per hour). | - | 128 |
(3) A fee under this article is payable by the Archbishops’ Council under section 62 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963.
(4) In the case of a matter which comes within item 4 or 6, the Dean of the Arches and Auditor or the registrar (as the case may be) must certify the number of hours spent.
(5) In the case of a matter which comes within item 6, a fee is payable only in exceptional circumstances and if the Dean of the Arches and Auditor so directs.
Miscellaneous annual fees etc.
12. —(1) In the case of each matter specified in the first column of Table 9, the fee specified in the second column is payable to the person concerned.
Table 9
| £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Application to the provincial registrar for permission under the Overseas Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967( 12 ). | 125 |
| 2. | Issue by the provincial registrar of the Archbishop’s licence for service chaplains. | 57 |
| 3. | Annual fee for the Vicar-General of the Province of Canterbury. | 2,626 |
| 4. | Annual fee for the Vicar-General of the Province of York. | 2,131 |
| 5. | Annual fee for the President of Tribunals. | 3,237 |
| 6. | Annual fee for the Deputy President of Tribunals. | 3,237 |
(2) In the case of a matter which comes within items 1 to 4, a fee under this article is payable by the Archbishop; but see section 8 of the Ecclesiastical Fees Measure 1986( 13 ) (which requires the Church Commissioners to reimburse the Archbishop).
(3) In the case of a matter which comes within item 5 or 6, a fee under this article is, by virtue of section 35 of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003, payable by the Archbishops’ Council under section 62 of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963.
Travel, subsistence, accommodation and court hearings
13. A fee provided for by this Order (other than the fee provided for under article 2) is to be increased by a sum for reasonable expenses of travel, subsistence, accommodation and the holding of court hearings.
Value Added Tax
14. Where Value Added Tax is chargeable in respect of the provision of a service for which a fee is provided for by this Order, the amount of the Value Added Tax chargeable is payable in addition to that fee.
Revocation
15.The Ecclesiastical Judges, Legal Officers and Others (Fees) Order 2014( 14 ) is revoked.
J Alpass
H Dellar
M Goddard
J Jones
J Rees
E Renshaw
G Tattersall
S Trott
The Fees Advisory Commission
Church House, London
22nd September 2015
This Order was approved by the General Synod on 25th November 2015
Jacqui Philips
Clerk to the Synod
1986 No.2 ; relevant amendments to section 6 have been made by the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 ( 1991 No.1 ), the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1995 ( 1995 No.2 ), S.I. 1998/1715 and the Care of Places of Worship Measure 1999 ( 1999 No.2 ).
15 & 16 Geo. 5 No.3 ; relevant amendments have been made by the Synodical Government Measure 1969 ( 1969 No.2 ).
2003 c.39 ; relevant amendments have been made by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.