Canon Law Research Guide

This research guide on the GlobaLex site was prepared by Don Ford, Foreign, Comparative and International Law Librarian at the University of Iowa College of Law. It includes a general overview of the subject, followed by sections relating to the Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran Churches, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Each section includes lists of print sources and links to relevant web sites. This edition is dated December2020: the original edition dated June/July 2007 is also accessible.

Church of England: Legal Services

The Legal Services section of the Church of England’s web site includes details of the clergy disciplinary process; legal opinions 2007 onwards and other legal guidance; the current edition of the Canons of the Church of England (within the “Legislation” section); links to Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England in force 1920 onwards on the legislation.gov.uk site, and related subordinate legislation in force. Legal information elsewhere on the Church of England site includes details of the Synodical legislative process.

Code of Canon Law

Full text of the consolidated code of [Roman Catholic] canon law on the Vatican web site.

Ecclesiastical Law Society

The Ecclesiastical Law Society’s web site includes information about the society and its activities, and a link to the Ecclesiastical Law Journal on the Cambridge University Press web site, which includes tables of contents, digests of articles, and full text of selected articles.

Legislation.gov.uk: Church Measures

This page of the UK’s official legislation database provides access to Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England and of its predecessor the National Assembly of the Church of England (complete 1988 onwards, partial 1920-1987). Some Measures are available as revised, with an option to access the original text as enacted under “What Version” on the left of the screen. Church Instruments 1991 onwards are available elsewhere on the site via the “Browse Legislation” tab.

Manx Church Law

This site provides information about the ecclesiastical law of the Isle of Man with particular reference to differences from the law of England. It is produced by K.F.W. Gumbley, solicitor and Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Sodor and Man Diocesan Synod.