Members of the ELA, Diocesan Chancellors and Deputy Chancellors, and Diocesan Registry Clerks may access the Forum, Documents, Contacts and other sections of the site by logging in with their Usernames and Passwords.
The Church Commissioners have produced an Opinion concerning the registration and enforcement of chancel repair liability by PCCs, and also a list of Questions and Answers. PCCs should also take note of a Statement by English Heritage concerning grant aid for repairs to chancels where there is known to be a Lay Rector liable for chancel repairs.
The Ecclesiastical Law Society's 2009 Conference, entitled "I Will Build My Church - Buildings as Mission Opportunities", will take place at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th January 2009. The keynote speaker will be Sir Roy Strong, and other speakers will include Lord Justice Mummery, The Very Revd Richard Giles (Dean of Philadelphia), The Revd Andrew Mottram (Ecclesiastical Property Solutions) and The Revd Paul Bayes (National Mission & Evangelism Adviser). If you would like to attend, please complete the linked Booking Form and return it to the address on the form. The conference is being administered by Canon David Parrott, to whom any queries can be directed:
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For all those involved in, or advising on, the playing of recorded music in church, there is an interesting article in the online Law Society Gazette for 27 November 2008. It is important that we remain alert to possible changes in respect of the charitable exemption which currently allows not-for-profit bodies to play recorded music in public, without having to pay a licence fee to Phonographic Performance Ltd.
For registered users who are able to log in, there are two new items in the Documents section. Firstly, under Documents/Miscellaneous, there is an article by Annie Whittingham, Solicitor, of Lichfield Diocesan Registry, containing advice about getting a condition about church attendance included in a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Secondly, under Documents/Churches, there is a revised Opinion of the Legal Advisory Commission concerning liability for nuisance caused by the ringing of church bells.
The new edition of Legal Opinions Concerning the Church of England is available, price £65.00, from Church House Bookshop.
A revised version of Chancel Repair Liability - How to research it, by James Derriman, is available from the publishers, Wildy, Simmonds & Hill, Lincoln's Inn Archway, Carey Street, London WC2A 2JD. Price £19.95. (ISBN 9781898029847)
The Ecclesiastical Law Association is an association of English lawyers