We welcome you to the website for the Hereford Diocesan Registry

The Diocese of Hereford (founded 676) covers Herefordshire, the southern half of Shropshire and includes several parishes in Powys and Monmouthshire. Every diocese has its own Consistory Court with specially appointed legal officers. In the Diocese of Hereford, the Chancellor is Mark Ockelton. In August 2020, the Diocesan Registry relocated back to Hereford. The Deputy Chancellor is Mark Cawson. The Registrar is Jeremy Wilding, a director in the firm of Gabbs Solicitors of Hereford. He is supported by the Registry Clerk, Michelle Wilmot, and by Deputy Registrars, Melanie Tree and Rachael Hughes. We are looking forward to working with the clergy, people and parishes of the Diocese.

The main areas of work of the Diocesan Registry include:

• Advice for Diocesan Bishops, clergy and officials, and also for PCCs and Churchwardens
• Faculties – permissions for alterations to churches and churchyards
• Licences and Patronage –  procedures relating to the appointment of clergy
• Life Events – legal advice and assistance in relation to burials, marriages and baptisms
• Records – the maintenance of Diocesan records

Information set out on this website is general/introductory in nature only, and is not a substitute for taking full legal advice.