Ecclesiastical
Welcome from Lionel Lennox and his specialist team
Our specialist team have been providing a wide range of legal services to the Diocese and Province of York and clergy for many years, so whatever the nature of your legal query - I'm sure we can help you.
I am an Ecclesiastical and Charity lawyer having worked in London before my appointment in York as Registrar of the Province and Diocese of York.
Ecclesiastical legal matters sometimes require more than one legal area of expertise, and I regularly liaise and work with other colleagues, in particular with the Property, Employment and Dispute Resolution departments.
Please browse through the headings below to find
what you are looking for, but if there is anything you else you
need please do not hesitate to contact us.
The PDF
leaflet may also be downloaded for further
information.
"Lionel Lennox and his team in the ecclesiastical department at Denison Till offer an outstanding service. Advice and guidance is always of the highest quality - clear, concise and easy to understand"
Experience and Expertise
Denison Till's Ecclesiastical and Charity Department has been recognised over several years by the independent legal directories Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Provincial Registry
Lionel Lennox is Registrar of the Province and Legal Secretary to the Archbishop of York, and Registrar of the Convocation of York. The Province comprises the Dioceses of Blackburn, Bradford, Carlisle, Chester, Durham, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Ripon and Leeds, Sheffield, Sodor and Man, Southwell, Wakefield and York.
Diocesan Registry
The Registrar and his staff are available to give advice on legal matters properly arising in connection with the discharge of ecclesiastical synodical and parochial offices. Advice is also available to bona fide enquirers concerning the law of marriage, baptism, confirmation and burial of the dead (coffin burials and cremated remains) according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.
Legal Help for Clergy
The Registrar has prepared Notes of Guidance on a number of topics which are available on application to any member of staff in the Registry on sending a A4 stamped addressed envelope.
Chancel Repair Liability
If you have an ancient parish church, or a church built on an old site, it is possible that a person or body other than the PCC has responsibility for paying for the repairs to the chancel, at least in part.
Legal Help for Churchwardens
Churchwardens are chosen or elected at the meeting of the parishioners each April and serve for a term of 1 year. A person who has been chosen or elected as churchwarden is required to make the Declaration of Office before being admitted to the office by either the Archbishop of York or the Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry in which the parish is situate on the Archbishop's behalf.
Faculty Matters
The Registrar is Lionel Lennox and the Faculty Secretary is Hazel Bell. They may be contacted by writing to Diocesan Registry, Stamford House, Piccadilly, York YO1 9PP, by telephone on 01904 623487 or by e-mail to hab@denisontill.com.
Emergency Faculty Work
An application may be made to the Chancellor for a Licence to Proceed in Advance of Faculty to enable emergency works to be put in hand before a Faculty has been issued. A Licence to Proceed in Advance of Faculty is only available where there is a real and immediate emergency to the fabric of the building or risk of injury to a member of the public. Such a Licence authorises works to be done before the DAC has been consulted and given its advice, and before Public Notice has been displayed. However, it is still necessary to obtain a confirmatory faculty in relation to the work.
Getting Married in Church
"I am engaged to be married. We want to marry in church. What do I need to do?"
Arrange to meet the minister in charge of the Church where you wish to marry and he or she will guide you through the legal requirements and procedure. The minister will usually be the vicar, rector or priest in charge.
Overseas Clergy
A priest or deacon ordained by a bishop having a diocese or office elsewhere than in the province of Canterbury, the province of York, or the provinces of Ireland, Wales or Scotland is required by the Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967 to have the written permission of the Archbishop of the province of Canterbury or York in order to officiate as priest or deacon in the Province of Canterbury or the Province of York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Occasionally your issue can be resolved with nothing more than a little help and guidance. Our selection of commonly asked questions and answers offers just that. However, Denison Till's Specialist Solicitors are always on hand to offer you support and advice
Restricted Access Area For York Diocese Clergy
The restricted access area of this website is for use by clergy currently authorised by institution or licence for ministry in the Diocese of York. The area includes guidance and advice on legal matters for use by clergy in the Diocese of York. To access the secure Ecclesiastical pages click here and Log In. If you do not have a username and password for these secured pages but require access then please request secure website access. You will receive an email from us when your request has been approved.