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The Consistory Court deals mainly with the "faculty jurisdiction" relating to consecrated land and buildings within the Diocese of Lichfield - this includes most Church of England churches and churchyards, plus the consecrated parts of Local Authority cemeteries. The jurisdiction covers the equivalent of listed building consent for the building and a variety of planning related matters.
Most applications to the court are dealt with on paper without the need for a formal hearing. Operating this way reduces the costs to applicants and parties opponent but the Chancellor and Registrars will ensure that all relevant voices are heard.
Graveyards take up a large portion of the work of the Consistory Court. By law, no memorial or gravestone can be introduced into a churchyard without a faculty granted by the Chancellor. To prevent grieving relatives having to endure a legal process to seek permission for a gravestone or memorial, the Chancellor delegates the right to grant permission to the incumbent minister, who can give his or her consent so long as the proposed gravestone or memorial complies fully with guidelines issued by the Chancellor. Anything which falls outside the Chancellor's guidelines will need to be referred to him for a faculty.
The Chancellor of the Diocese of Lichfield is His Honour Judge Marten Coates. The Deputy Chancellor is Her Honour Judge Sybil Thomas.
The Registry also handles the grant of common marriage licences to those who are unable to marry after Banns have been called. Initial contact should be made via the Surrogates (details of local Surrogates are in the Resources section).
The Registry provides legal advice to church officers on matters concerning their offices.
Contacts:
Registrar and Bishop's Legal Secretary: Mr Niall Blackie
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, Routh House, Hall Court, Hall Park Way. Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4NJ
Tel: 01952 - 292129 Fax: 01952 - 291716 Email: n.blackie@fbcmb.co.uk
Assistant to the Registry: Ms Annie Whittingham
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP, Routh House, Hall Court, Hall Park Way. Telford, Shropshire, TF3 4NJ
Tel: 01952 - 211303 Fax: 01952 - 291716 Email: a.whittingham@fbcmb.co.uk
Diocesan Advisory Committee Secretary: Mrs Katie Brown
The DAC Office, Admaston Farmhouse, Admaston, Rugeley, WS15 3NJ
Tel: 01889 - 500304 Fax: 01889 - 500463 Email: katie.brown@lichfield.anglican.org
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