Faith Based Institution Experience:
Kathryn assists Laura Peace, the Church of England Registrar for the Diocese of Newcastle and the Diocese of Carlisle. The law governing church matters is highly specialist and complex. Kathryn has an in-depth knowledge of both Clergy Discipline and church safeguarding and provides advice to Bishops, Archdeacons, clergy, Parochial Church Councils, and church officers. She is also a member of the Ecclesiastical Law Society.
Experience:
Safeguarding concerns are, by their nature, highly sensitive and the Church takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. Kathryn works closely with Bishops, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors, and Church Core Groups, to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to, and risks assessed and managed in accordance with best practice safeguarding policy and procedure. She also advises on the implementation of safer recruitment procedures for those working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults within the Church.
The Clergy Discipline Measure is the legal process by which formal allegations of misconduct against Church of England clergy are made and determined. The diocesan Bishop is responsible for administering discipline over clergy. Clergy Discipline complaints are wide and varied in both nature and gravity. On behalf of the Registrar, Kathryn undertakes preliminary scrutiny of all Clergy Discipline complaints and provides comprehensive advice and support to the Bishop at every stage of the disciplinary process up to and including (where appropriate) imposition of a penalty. She also represents individuals who wish to bring a formal complaint on behalf of a victim, including Archdeacons and Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors.
Kathryn is often asked to advise other dioceses and clergy where a conflict of interest with their own lawyers has arisen.
