Tribunal Office

The Bishop is responsible for the governance of his diocese and he is therefore the judge in first instance of all case arising in it, except where ‘expressly excepted in law’ (see Canons 1419, 1404-1405). He is free to exercise this power through others. In particular he is obliged to appoint a Judicial Vicar [link to page on Judicial Vicar]. The Bishop may also appoint associate judicial Vicars (Canon 1420 §3). Together with other diocesan judges appointed by the Bishop these form the tribunals of first instance. Other individuals such as Auditors (Canon 1428) can also be appointed to assist with the work of the tribunals.

In this diocese tribunals deal with the majority of canonical cases that come before the diocese, except as indicated above and where the Bishop has expressly reserved the power to himself. The majority of the cases in this diocese relate to marriage and are dealt with by the Marriage Tribunal.

Contacts

Canonical Advisors: Rev Daryl George JCL; Rev Paul Jennings LCL MCL
Tribunal Administrator: Mrs Angela Fishenden BSc Dip RSA
Assistant: Mrs Dang Wenham

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4 pm (lunch 12.30 pm to 1 pm)

Enquiries to be addressed to: The Tribunal Administrator, Bishop's House, The Upper Drive, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 6NB
Tel: Brighton (01273) 859703 Fax: (01273) 859713
E-mail: tribunal@dabnet.org

Information on Marriage Annulment

Judges:
Rev Paul Jennings LCL MCL
Rev Daryl George JCL
Mgr Canon Jeffrey Scott LCL MCL
Mgr Canon John Hull VG - Judicial Vicar
Rev Peter Newsam
Mr Leo Cash

Defenders of the Bond:
Mrs P Murphy, Mr D Driscoll, Mr J Flood, Mr R Wong, Mrs P Wong

Advocates:
Sr E Williamson DCL, Mr M Good

Promoter of Justice:
Rev Canon Dermod Fogarty DD LCL

Judges at the Southwark Interdiocesan Tribunal of Second Instance:
Rev Canon John Stapleton BA JCL FRGS
Rev Michael Benjamin

Links to the Bishop

The Judicial Vicar meets with the Bishop as often as needed.