Diocesan Registry – Leeds

David Whitaker is the Registrar of the Diocese and Legal Secretary to the Bishop of Leeds, Registrar of the Consistory Court of the Diocese and Legal Adviser to the Diocesan Synod. He is supported by Deputy Registrar Angela Gorton.

Registry Assistant: Beverley Mightly

The Registrar and his staff are available to give advice to the following individuals in the Diocese in relation to legal matters properly arising in connection with the discharge of their ecclesiastical, synodical and parochial offices:

Advice is also available to bona fide enquirers concerning the law of marriage, baptism, confirmation and burial of the dead (coffin burials and cremated remains) according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.

The Registrar and his staff prepare and register all documents required in connection with ordination, instituting and licensing of clergy and others under canon law, licensing of buildings for public worship and the consecration of churches and burial grounds.

There are some restrictions on the amount of advice and work that may be done in the Registry without payment of a fee. Guidance is given where appropriate.