Welcome to the London Diocesan Registry web site
The diocese of London was first established in the Roman period, the earliest bishop for whom there is good historical evidence being Restitutus, who attended a Council in Arles in 314. The diocese was reconstituted in 604 and now covers the historic Cities of London and Westminster, the County of Middlesex and the Spelthorne district of Surrey, a total area of around 180 square miles, and includes 413 parishes with some 484 churches, many of national significance.
The Work of the Diocesan Registry
Each Diocese of the Church of England has two Legal Officers, the Chancellor and the Registrar, who may have deputies. The following are the main areas of work undertaken by the Registrar at the Diocesan Registry:
Advice
The giving of advice to the Bishops and all other clergy, to diocesan boards and committees, and to Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councils, and dealing with general enquiries from members of the public in relation to marriage, baptism, burial, etc.
Appointments
The preparation of notices, licences, permissions, instruments and all other documents relating to the appointment of clergy and lay office holders.
Consecrations
The preparation of the documents required for the consecration of churches, churchyards and cemeteries.
Diocesan Records
The maintenance of records relating to churches, clergy, etc.
Faculties
The granting of Faculties to authorise changes or additions to consecrated buildings and burial grounds.
Marriage Licences
The issue of Common Licences on behalf of the Bishop of London, to authorise marriages in parish churches and in other buildings licensed for the solemnisation of marriages according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.
Patronage
Maintenance of a register of patrons of the diocese, and ensuring that the provisions of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 are complied with in relation to the filling of vacant benefices.
Latest News
Parochial Fees for 2024
A new Parochial Fees Order has come into force for 2024 with effect from 1 January 2024. The new fees are set out in the Parochial Fees Table 2024
Diocesan Synod Elections 2024
The current three year term, or triennium, of the London Diocesan Synod ends in July 2024, so a new Synod will need to be elected. The electorate are the houses of clergy and laity in the Deanery Synods across the diocese, who elect clergy and lay candidates to represent their Deanery in the Diocesan Synod.…
Contact Us
London Diocesan Registry
Birketts LLP
One London Wall (5th Floor)
London
EC2Y
DX 507 London City
Telephone : 0203 553 4888
Office hours are 0930 to 1730, Monday to Friday
Stuart Jones M.A. (Cantab.), Diocesan Registrar
A Solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
stuart-jones@birketts.co.uk
Telephone : 01603 756 501
Kevin Wilson
Deputy Registrar
A Solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
kevin-wilson@birketts.co.uk
Telephone : 0207 3941 2070
Richard Hastings, MA (London), Associate of King’s College, Clerk to the Diocesan Registry
richard-hastings@birketts.co.uk
Telephone : 0203 941 2059
This website is provided on a ‘not for profit’ basis to provide information about the law affecting the Church of England in the Diocese of London