The Clergy Discipline Rules 2005

Reference to the Designated Officer for formal investigation

28.—(1) Where the bishop directs under section 12(1)(e) of the Measure that the complaint is to be formally investigated, the bishop shall refer it to the Designated Officer, and shall supply the Designated Officer with a copy of the complaint and the respondent’s answer together with all written evidence in support of each of them, and the registrar’s written report.

(2) Within 14 days of referring the complaint to the Designated Officer the bishop shall give written notice of the referral to the complainant and the respondent.

(3) The complainant and the respondent shall co-operate with the Designated Officer during the investigation, in particular by responding in writing within 14 days (or such extended period as the Designated Officer may allow) to any questions asked by the Designated Officer for the purpose of clarification of the complaint or the respondent’s answer or of the evidence in support of each.

(4) If any new material information is disclosed to the Designated Officer by or on behalf of the complainant or the respondent in the course of the investigation, the Designated Officer shall pass it on to the party who did not disclose it and invite that party to comment within a stated period of time.

(5) The Designated Officer shall investigate the complaint and shall send or deliver a written report to the President within 3 months of the date of the receipt of the documents specified in sub-rule (1).

The time within which the Designated Officer is required to report to the President may be extended for such period as the President deems to be justified in the particular circumstances of the case. Any application for an extension of time shall be made by the Designated Officer in writing to the President.