Appointment and Resignations

The Registry receives a number of enquiries each year regarding the appointment and resignation of Churchwardens. The current law relating to Churchwardens is contained in The Churchwardens Measure 2001. The Legal Office of the National Institutions of the Church of England has also produced a useful Guide to the Measure which (although now somewhat out of date) sets out in detail the process for appointing Churchwardens as well as covering some of the more frequently arising issues, such as what qualifications an individual needs to be a Churchwarden, the maximum length of time a Churchwarden can serve, and the special powers vested in the Bishop in relation to Churchwardens.

Despite this comprehensive guide, there are likely to be questions which it will not answer. Those concerned should speak to the Registry as soon as the issue arises to avoid last minute crises.