Clergy who are the subject of disciplinary proceedings under the
Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 or who are party to certain other
proceedings before Church courts and tribunals are eligible to
apply for financial assistance towards their legal costs from the
Legal Aid Fund established under the Church of England (Legal Aid)
Measure 1994. Further details about the proceedings for which legal
aid is available can be found here.
Grants from the Legal Aid Fund are discretionary and decisions
are made by the Legal Aid Commission. The Commission will have
regard to all the circumstances of the case and, in particular, is
required to consider the following:
- the financial resources of the applicant and his or her spouse
or civil partner; and
- whether the applicant has a reasonable case for taking or
defending the proceedings (as the case may be).
A copy of the application form for legal aid, including further
details of the grant-making process, can be downloaded
here. When completed, the form should be sent to the Secretary
to the Legal Aid Commission, Mr Stephen York, at the Legal Office,
Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ (email stephen.york@churchofengland.org).
The form may be returned by email provided that a signed copy is
also sent by post.
If you have any questions about the application form or any
other aspect of the legal aid process, you are most welcome to
contact the Secretary by email or telephone (+44 (0)20 7898
1703).