Consistory Court - Chancellors

Chancellors

Each Consistory court is presided over by the Chancellor of the Diocese (or in Canterbury the Commissary-General). The chancellor is appointed by letters patent. All jurisdiction, both contentious and voluntary, is committed to the Chancellor under two separate offices, those of official principal and vicar-general: the distinction between the two offices is that the official principal usually exercises contentious jurisdiction and the vicar-general voluntary jurisdiction. (Technically the bishop himself may sit, but this no longer happens and is regarded as an obsolete anomaly.)

The chancellor must be over 30 years of age, a barrister of seven years' standing or who has held high judicial office, and a communicant of the Church of England. He takes the judicial oath, the oath of allegiance and makes a declaration of assent. The chancellor may be removed by the bishop if the Upper House of the Convocation of the province so resolves.

Chancellors are addressed on the bench as “Worshipful Sir" or "Sir”. Most wear the robes of a QC even if not of that degree, though at least one sits in his academical robes. The court itself is styled "this venerable court". Most have a mace, carried by the apparitor, who is usually a member of the staff of the diocesan registry and who is the official who serves the processes of the court and causes defendants to appear by summons.

There may also be a deputy chancellor, who may hear certain matters. He must be a barrister of seven years' standing or have held high judicial office.