Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963

20 Persons by whom proceedings against an archbishop or bishop may be instituted.E

Proceedings against an archbishop or a bishop may be instituted by the following persons, that is to say:—

(a)in the case of an archbishop:—

(i)save in respect of any act or omission in relation to his duties as diocesan by not less than two of his comprovincial diocesan bishops; or

(ii)save in respect of any act or omission in relation to his duties as metropolitan by not less than ten persons of whom not less than five are incumbents in the diocese of the accused and not less than five are lay members of the [F1diocesan synod] of such diocese; or

(b)in the case of a diocesan bishop other than an archbishop:—

(i)by an authorised complainant; or

(ii)by not less than ten persons of whom not less than five are incumbents in the diocese of the accused and not less than five are lay members of the [F1diocesan synod] of such diocese; or

(c)in the case of a suffragan bishop:—

(i)by the bishop who commissioned him; or

(ii)by an authorised complainant; or

(iii)by not less than ten persons of whom not less than five are incumbents in the diocese of the bishop by whom the accused is commissioned and not less than five are lay members of the [F1diocesan synod] of such diocese; or

(iv)if he is the incumbent of a parochial benefice by six or more persons of full age whose names are on the electoral roll of that parish; or

(d)in the case of any other bishop:—

(i)by the bishop of the diocese in which the accused holds preferment or resides; or

(ii)by an authorised complainant; or

(iii)if he is the incumbent of a parochial benefice by six or more persons of full age whose names are on the electoral roll of that parish.

Textual Amendments