The Clergy Discipline (Amendment) Rules 2021

Word and page limits

10.  After Rule 101A (inserted by Rule 8 of these Rules) insert—

Word and page limits

101B.— (1) In the case of each form in the Schedule specified in the first column of the following table, the number of words which may be used in the section of that form for the subject matter specified in the second column must not exceed 3000—

Form	Subject matter
1a (allegation about priest or deacon)	The misconduct complained of
1b (allegation about bishop or archbishop)	The misconduct complained of
1c (application to make allegation out of time)	The reasons for not making the allegation in time
1d (allegation about cathedral clerk)	The misconduct complained of
1e (allegation about chaplain in institution)	The misconduct complained of
1f (allegation about armed forces chaplain)	The misconduct complained of
1g (allegation about minister with licence to preach in province or with licence from Oxford or Cambridge University)	The misconduct complained of
2 (respondent’s answer to allegation)	The summary of the respondent’s version of events
3 (statement in support of allegation or answer)	The statement
4 (request to review dismissal of allegation)	The reasons why the dismissal of the allegation is believed to be wrong
5 (referral to consider determination for no further action)	The reasons why the determination that there be no further action is believed to be wrong
8 (notice of application to Registrar)	The order applied for and the reasons for applying for it (taken together)
9 (response to allegation to Registrar)	The reasons for the response given
10a (application for disclosure by non-party)	The order applied for and the reasons

(2) In the case of each provision specified in the first column of the following table, the number of words which may be used for the purpose specified in the second column must not exceed 3000—

Provision	Purpose
Rule 14A (allegations of sexual misconduct towards vulnerable child)	Making written representations under paragraph (3)
Rule 66 (appeal by priest or deacon against notice of suspension)	Setting out grounds of appeal under paragraph (2)
Rule 75 (inclusion of name in list under section 38(1)(a) to (dd) of the Measure)	Making a written request for a review under paragraph (2)
Section 37 of the Measure (suspension of archbishop or bishop)	Making an appeal by virtue of section 37(6) of the Measure

(3) In the case of each form in the Schedule which allows attachments to be made to the form, the number of pages attached must not exceed 25 pages of A4 size in a legible form.

(4) Where the words used for the purposes of paragraph (1) or (2) include a link to a webpage, the number of words contained in the webpage count towards the word limit of 3000.

(5) Where an attachment of the kind referred to in paragraph (3) includes a link to a webpage, the number of A4 pages which would be used if the webpage were to be printed in legible form counts towards the page limit of 25.

(6) The relevant officer may disapply or increase the word limit under paragraph (1) or (2) or the page limit under paragraph (3), if, on application made by the person to whom the limit applies, the relevant officer is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which justify doing so.

(7) In paragraph (6), “relevant officer” means—

(a) in the case of a form making or answering an allegation of misconduct or any attachments to it, the bishop, and

(b) in any other case, the President.”