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The Work of the Diocesan Registry

Each Diocese of the Church of England has two Legal Officers, the Chancellor and the Registrar, who may have deputies. The following are the main areas of work undertaken by the Registrar at the Diocesan Registry:

Advice
The giving of advice to the Bishops and all other clergy, to diocesan boards and committees, and to Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councils, and dealing with general enquiries from members of the public in relation to marriage, baptism, burial, etc.

Appointments
The preparation of notices, licences, permissions, instruments and all other documents relating to the appointment of clergy and lay office holders.

Consecrations
The preparation of the documents required for the consecration of churches, churchyards and cemeteries.

Diocesan Records
The maintenance of records relating to churches, clergy, etc.

Faculties
The granting of Faculties to authorise changes or additions to consecrated buildings and burial grounds.

Marriage Licences
The issue of Common Licences on behalf of the Bishop of Norwich, to authorise marriages in parish churches and in other buildings licensed for the solemnisation of marriages according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.

Patronage
Maintenance of a register of patrons of the diocese, and ensuring that the provisions of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 are complied with in relation to the filling of vacant benefices.


Chancellor and Registrar

His Honour Judge Paul Downes LL.M is Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich. He has also been the Chancellor of the Diocese of Wakefield since January 2006. He is a judge sitting mainly in the Crown Court in Norwich.

The Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich is Ruth Arlow, who is a barrister practising from Chambers in London. She is also the Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Chichester.

Stuart Jones was admitted as a Solicitor in 1983 and is employed by Birketts LLP in Norwich. He has been the Registrar of the Diocese of Norwich and the Bishop’s Legal Secretary since 1 January 2009.

James Hall is a solicitor and a partner with Birketts LLP in their Ipswich office. He has been the Registrar of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich for a number of years and has been the Deputy Registrar of the Diocese of Norwich since 1 January 2009

Mrs Gill Hadlum is the Registry Clerk. View contact details.