The Anglican Communion Legal Advisors’ Network was established at ACC-12 (Hong Kong 2002) with a mandate to produce a statement of shared principles of Canon Law common to the churches of the Anglican Communion, and to examine shared legal problems and possible solutions. The Principles of Canon Law Common to the Churches of the Anglican Communion were originally published in time for the Lambeth Conference 2008. ACC-14 (Kingston, Jamaica 2009) commended the Principles for study, invited comment and “encouraged the Provinces to use the network as a resource in dealing with legal issues in their Provinces.” A revised edition of the Principles was published at the 2022 Lambeth Conference.
In Resolution 3(d) ACC18, meeting in Accra, commended the revised Principles to the member churches, and affirmed the continuation and development of the work of the Legal Advisors’ Network.
As of 2024, a new phase in the life of the Network begins, with a new constitution for the Network approved, giving it new structure and direction. The Revd Russell Dewhurst has been appointed as Chair of the Network by Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion.
In the coming years, the Network will:
As part of the new phase of its work beginning in 2024, the Network will become a membership network that facilitates peer-support and learning.
Membership will be drawn from those qualified in canon or civil law and who hold a position of leadership or office within their church which involves the provision of legal advice, the administration of law, the provision of education in canon law, or a similar role. Membership of the Network will consist of those who belong to a member church of the Anglican Communion as listed in the schedule of the Articles of Association of the Anglican Consultative Council (or to one of the extra-provincial churches of which the Archbishop of Canterbury is Metropolitan). In applying for membership, candidates will need to be endorsed by the bishop of their diocese or archbishop or other presiding bishop of their church certified to the chair and secretary of the Network.
When the Network is ready to begin accepting membership, information will be posted on this page: watch this space.
