The Clergy Conduct Rules 2026

Schedule 3 Recording and publication of decisions

Rule 116 Interpretation 1 (1) In this Schedule, a reference to a numbered provision is a reference to the provision of the CCM numbered as such. (2) In this Schedule, a reference to recording a decision or anything else is a reference to recording it in accordance with section 64(1); and the information recorded must include the name of each party to the complaint or other proceeding or process. (3) In this Schedule, a reference to publishing a decision or anything else is a reference to publishing it on the Church of England website. (4) A power or duty to publish the name of a person under this Schedule is subject to the power under rule 62(1) (which enables the tribunal or court hearing a complaint of serious misconduct to order that the identity of certain persons may not be published). Allocation of complaint (section 21(1)(a) to (c)) 2 A decision on how to allocate a complaint under section 21(1)(a) to (c)— (a) may (but need not) be recorded, and (b) must not be published. Dismissal of complaint (section 21(1)(d) to (f)) 3 (1) A decision under section 21(1)(d) (recommendation to dismiss complaint as vexatious etc.)— (a) must be recorded, but (b) unless the respondent to the complaint requests publication of the decision (see sub-paragraph (2)), must not be published. (2) If the respondent to the complaint requests publication of the decision, it must be published; and the information published must include the name of the respondent. (3) A decision under section 21(1)(e) or (f) (dismissal of complaint as being out of time or being made by person without proper interest)— (a) must be recorded, but (b) must not be published. Grievance (section 23) 4 (1) A decision to act under section 23(4)(b) or (c) (reallocation of grievance as complaint of misconduct or serious misconduct)— (a) must be recorded, but (b) must not be published. (2) Where a grievance is resolved, or the designated person is satisfied under section 23(6) that it is not possible to resolve a grievance, the fact of the resolution or of the impossibility of a resolution— (a) must be recorded, but (b) must not be published. Misconduct that is not serious misconduct (sections 25 and 38) 5 (1) Where the responsible bishop (acting under section 25(6)) or the President of Tribunals (acting under section 25(7)(a)) implements a recommendation under section 25(3) or (5), a concise summary of the complaint and the recommendation— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) Where the President of Tribunals, acting under section 25(7)(b), determines a complaint or gives directions, a concise summary of the complaint and (depending on what the President does) the determination or the directions— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (3) Where the responsible bishop or the President of Tribunals decides under section 38(1) or (3) to impose a penalty, the decision as to which penalty to impose— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (4) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b), (2)(b) or (3)(b) must include the name of the respondent. Serious misconduct: referral or dismissal (section 27) 6 (1) Where the President of Tribunals, acting under section 27(5) (see rule 38(5)), decides to refer or dismiss a complaint in full or in part, the fact of the referral or dismissal and whether it is of the complaint in full or in part— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) If the President so chooses, the President’s reasons for the decision— (a) may be recorded, and (b) may be published. (3) Information published under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) must include the name of the respondent. (4) Information under sub-paragraph (2) may be recorded and published at the same time as, or after, the information under sub-paragraph (1) to which it relates is recorded and published. Serious misconduct: determination (sections 27, 31 and 38) 7 (1) Where a tribunal or court, acting under section 31(2), determines a complaint of serious misconduct, the full text of the judgment of the tribunal or court— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) Where a tribunal or court, acting under section 31(2), makes an interim decision on a complaint of serious misconduct, and if the Chair of the tribunal or court so chooses, the interim decision— (a) may be recorded, and (b) may be published. (3) Where the tribunal or court, acting under section 38(2), (4) or (5), decides to impose a penalty, the decision as to which penalty to impose— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (4) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b), (2)(b) or (3)(b) must include the name of the respondent. Vexatious litigant: restraint order (sections 32 and 33) 8 (1) Where a restraint order is made under section 32(4), the fact of the order being made, the period for which it has effect and a variation or discharge of the order— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must include the name of the applicant for the restraint order and the name of the person against whom it is made. Restriction order (sections 34 and 35) 9 (1) Where a restriction order is imposed under section 34(2)(a), the fact of the order being imposed, the period for which it has effect and any revocation of the order— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b)— (a) must include the name of the person on whom the restriction order is imposed, and (b) must be accompanied by a statement that any person wishing to find out about the effect of the order may contact the registrar of the registry in which the information is recorded. Suspension (sections 34 and 36) 10 (1) Where a suspension is imposed under section 34(2)(b), the fact of the suspension being imposed, the period for which it has effect and any revocation of the suspension— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must include the name of the person on whom the suspension is imposed. Conditional discharge (section 40) 11 Where a conditional discharge is made under section 40, the fact of the order being made, the person to whom the order applies and the period specified in the order— (a) must be recorded, but (b) must not be published. Deposition from Holy Orders (sections 41 and 42) 12 (1) Where a priest or deacon is deposed from Holy Orders under section 41 or the Upper House of either Convocation resolves to depose a bishop or archbishop from Holy Orders under section 42, the fact of the deposition or resolution— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must include the name of the person who is deposed or in respect of whom the resolution is passed. Conviction for offence, inclusion on barred list etc. (section 46) 13 (1) Where a decision is made to impose a penalty under section 46 (conviction for offence etc: power to impose penalty etc.), the decision as to which penalty to impose— (a) must be recorded, and (b) must be published. (2) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b) must include the name of the person on whom the penalty is imposed. Reviews and appeals (section 50) 14 (1) Where a request for review is made under section 50(1) (allocation of complaint as grievance)— (a) the fact of the request being made must not be recorded, but (b) if the President of Tribunals so orders, the text of the President’s decision on the request and the reasons for it must be published. (2) Where a request for review is made under section 50(2), (3), (6) or (7) (dismissal of complaint as vexatious etc; report on complaint of misconduct; decision not to impose restriction order or suspension; imposition of penalty by responsible bishop)— (a) the fact of the request being made must be recorded, and (b) if the President of Tribunals so orders, the text of the President’s decision on the request and the reasons for it must be published. (3) Where an appeal is brought under section 50(4) or (5) (appeal against restriction order or suspension)— (a) the fact of the appeal being brought must be recorded, and (b) if the President of Tribunals or (as the case may be) the Dean of the Arches and Auditor so orders, the text of the President or Dean’s decision on the appeal and the reasons for it must be published. (4) In the case of an appeal under section 50(5) heard by a person appointed by the Dean of the Arches and Auditor under section 50(5)(b), sub-paragraph (3)(b) is to be read as if the references to the Dean were references to the person appointed. (5) Information published under sub-paragraph (1)(b), (2)(b) or (3)(b) must include the name of the person making the request for review or bringing the appeal.