The Clergy Discipline (Amendment) Rules 2016
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
| Citation | SI 2016/848 |
| Year | 2016 |
2016 No. 848
Ecclesiastical Law, England
The Clergy Discipline (Amendment) Rules 2016
Made (Approved by the General Synod) 8th July 2016
Laid before Parliament 25th August 2016
Coming into force in accordance with rule 20
The Rule Committee, in exercise of powers conferred by section 26(1) of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 19911, makes the following Rules to amend the Clergy Discipline Rules 20052:
Amendments to the Clergy Discipline Rules
1. The Clergy Discipline Rules 2005 are amended as follows.
Complaints of sexual misconduct towards a vulnerable adult
2.—(1) After rule 14 there is inserted the following new rule—
“Complaints of sexual misconduct towards a vulnerable adult
14A.—(1) Where it appears to the bishop upon receipt of the registrar’s written report that—
(a)
(a) the misconduct in question—
(i) is conduct of a sexual nature towards an adult, and
(ii) did not occur within the period of one year ending with the date on which proceedings were instituted, or in the case of a series of acts or omissions the last instance did not occur within that period, and
(b)
(b) at the time of the alleged misconduct the adult may have been a vulnerable adult, and
(c)
(c) the President has not given written permission for the proceedings to be instituted after the expiry of the period of one year,
the bishop shall refer the matter to the President for consideration as to whether the adult was a vulnerable adult at the time of the alleged misconduct,
provided that the bishop may dismiss the complaint under section 11(3) of the Measure if satisfied that the complainant did not have a proper interest to make the complaint at the date the proceedings were instituted, or that there is not sufficient substance in the complaint to justify proceeding with it under the Measure.
(2) Upon referring the matter to the President the bishop shall—
(a)
(a) send or deliver to the President, the complainant and the respondent a copy of the registrar’s written report,
(b)
(b) notify the complainant and the respondent in writing that the matter has been referred to the President, and
(c)
(c) consider extending time under rule 18.
(3) Where the matter is referred to the President, the President shall invite the complainant to make written representations within 21 days as to—
(a)
(a) whether the adult in question was a vulnerable adult at the time of the alleged misconduct, and
(b)
(b) whether there was good reason why the complainant did not institute proceedings at an earlier date.
(4) A copy of any representations received from the complainant shall be sent or delivered by the President to the respondent, and the respondent shall be invited by the President to make written representations in reply within 21 days of receipt.
(5) Having considered any representations from the parties, the President shall determine in writing the issue of vulnerability for the purposes only of section 9(3) of the Measure, and copies of the determination shall be sent or delivered to the bishop, the diocesan registrar, the complainant and the respondent.
(6) Where the President determines that the adult was a vulnerable adult at the time of the alleged misconduct the complaint shall proceed in accordance with the Measure.
(7) Where the President determines that the adult was not a vulnerable adult at the time of the alleged misconduct the President may nonetheless give permission under section 9 of the Measure for the proceedings to continue where the President considers there was good reason why the complainant did not institute proceedings at an earlier date.
(8) Where the President determines that the adult was not a vulnerable adult at the time of the alleged misconduct and that there was no good reason why the complainant did not institute proceedings at an earlier date, the complaint shall stand dismissed.”.
(2) In rule 106 (interpretation) at the appropriate place there is inserted—
“;
“vulnerable adult” has the same meaning as in section 6(2) of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016”.
S-3 President’s review of a dismissal President’s review of a dismissal
3. Rule 16 is amended by substituting for sub-rule (4) the following sub-rule—
S-4 “4 Within 28 days of receiving the complainant’s request the President shall notify the complainant, the respondent and the bishop in writing as to whether the President is—
(a) upholding the dismissal, or
(b) reversing it and directing the bishop to deal with the complaint in accordance with section 12 of the Measure, or
(c) remitting the complaint to the bishop and directing the bishop to reconsider the dismissal.”.
No further action: President’s decision
4. In rule 22 for all the words after “plainly wrong the President may” there is substituted the following—
“—
(a)
(a) direct the bishop to pursue such of the courses specified in section 12(1)(b) to (e) as the President considers appropriate, or
(b)
(b) remit the complaint to the bishop, and direct the bishop to reconsider the determination that there is to be no further action.”.
Respondent’s answer
5.—(1) Rule 17 is amended as follows.
(2) In sub-rule (1) the words “under section 11(3) of the Measure” are omitted.
(3) In sub-paragraph (b) of sub-rule (1) for the words “rule 15(1)” there are substituted the words “rules 14A(2) or 15(1)”.
(4) In sub-paragraph (c) of sub-rule (2) the words “subject to sub-rule (5),” are omitted.
(5) For sub-rule (5) there is substituted the following sub-rule—
“5 (a) The bishop may extend time under rule 17(1)(d) for the respondent to submit an answer and any written evidence in support.
(b) Where further time under rule 17(1)(d) is granted the bishop shall consider whether to extend time under rule 18.”.
Suspension
6. The title to rule 61 is amended to “Suspension of a priest or deacon following arrest”.
7. After rule 61B the following new rules are inserted—
S-61C “Suspension of a priest or deacon under section 36(1)(e) of the Measure
61C.—(1) Where the bishop is satisfied, on the basis of information provided by a local authority or the police, that a priest or deacon holding any preferment in the diocese presents a significant risk of harm, the bishop may suspend the priest or deacon from exercising or performing without the leave of the bishop any right or duty of or incidental to the office of priest or deacon, as the case may be.
(2) Before serving a notice under section 36(1)(e) of the Measure, or revoking a notice served under section 36(1)(e), the bishop must consult the diocesan safeguarding advisor and such other persons as the bishop considers appropriate.
(3) A notice suspending a priest or deacon under sub-rule (1) shall be in form 16a in the Schedule or in a form which is substantially to the like effect, and may specify any rights or duties which by leave of the bishop are not suspended.
S-61D Suspension of a priest or deacon under section 36A of the Measure
61D.—(1) Where an application is made to the President for permission under section 9 of the Measure for proceedings to be instituted against a priest or deacon holding any preferment in a diocese, the bishop may suspend the priest or deacon from exercising or performing without the leave of the bishop any right or duty of or incidental to the priest’s or deacon’s office, provided the bishop is satisfied that the suspension is necessary in all the circumstances of the case.
(2) Before exercising the power of suspension, the bishop must refer the matter to the registrar for written advice on—
(a)
(a) whether the complainant has a proper interest in instituting the proceedings,
(b)
(b) whether there is sufficient substance in the complaint to justify proceeding with it in accordance with the Measure, and
(c)
(c) whether the suspension is necessary in all the circumstances of the case,
and the bishop must have regard to the registrar’s report in deciding whether to exercise the power of suspension.
(3) A notice suspending a priest or deacon under sub-rule (1) shall be in form 17a in the Schedule or in a form which is substantially to the like effect, and may specify any rights or duties which by leave of the bishop are not suspended.
(4) A copy of the registrar’s report shall be served by the bishop on the priest or deacon at the same time as the notice of suspension.”.
8.—(1) Rule 62 is amended as follows.
(2) The text of rule 62 becomes sub-rule (1).
(3) In sub-paragraph (1)(e) for the words “the date when the suspension takes effect” there are substituted the words “receipt of the notice of suspension”.
(4) After sub-rule (1) the following new sub-rules are inserted—
S-2 “2 A notice of suspension given under rule 61C(3) shall be signed by the bishop and shall—
(a) state the date from when the suspension takes effect,
(b) explain that the suspension, unless revoked by the bishop, will continue until the expiry of the period of 3 months following the date of service of the notice on the priest or deacon,
(c) explain—
(i) that the bishop may cause a further notice of suspension to be served on the priest or deacon, and that this will continue for the same period as is specified in paragraph (b),
(ii) that a further notice or notices of suspension may thereafter be served on the priest or deacon, and
(iii) that such notice or notices may be in different terms from any previous notice,
(d) state that the effect of the suspension is that the...
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