Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978

25 Interpretation. E

(1) In this Measure, except in so far as the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say—

• [F1 “burial” includes the disposal of cremated remains;]

• [F2 “records” means materials in written or other form setting out facts or events or otherwise recording information, but a reference to a record does not include a reference to—

  (a)

  a register book,

  (b)

  anything which is or has been fixed to the fabric of a parish church or other place of public worship in a parish, or

  (c)

  a photograph or picture which is or has been displayed in a parish church or other place of public worship in a parish;

• “records in parochial custody” means records—

  (a)

  in the custody of an incumbent or priest in charge or of churchwardens or of a parochial church council, or

  (b)

  in the joint custody of any of those mentioned in paragraph (a);]

• “register books” means the register books mentioned in section 6(1) of this Measure and “register books in parochial custody” means register books in the custody of an incumbent or priest in charge or of churchwardens.

[F3 (1A) In the case of a register book of services which is, by virtue of Canon F 12, kept in an electronic or other form approved by the General Synod—

(a) a reference in this Measure to the register book of services includes (where the context allows) a reference to that register book in that form, and

(b) a reference in this Measure to an electronic register book of services is to be construed in accordance with this subsection.]

[F4 (1B) In subsection (1), the reference in each of paragraphs (b) and (c) of the definition of “records” to a parish church or other place of public worship in a parish includes a reference to—

(a) an adjoining building used wholly or mainly as a vestry or sacristy, and

(b) a church hall.]

(2) In this Measure references to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended, extended or applied by or under any other enactment.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 25 inserted (1.1.1993) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992 (No. 1), s. 4(1), Sch. 1 para.10;Instrument dated 7.9.1992 made by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

F2 Words in s. 25(1) substituted (1.9.2020) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2020 (No. 1), ss. 9(1), 16(3); S.I. 2020/835, art. 2

F3 S. 25(1A) inserted (16.11.2023) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2020 (No. 1), ss. 8(1), 16(3); S.I. 2023/1264, art. 2

F4 S. 25(1B) inserted (1.9.2020) by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2020 (No. 1), ss. 9(2), 16(3); S.I. 2020/835, art. 2