Clerk to the Diocesan Registry

The Clerk to the Registry will provide legal secretarial support and administrative assistance to the Registrar who is responsible for the legal office of the Diocese of Blackburn. The position will require excellent communication and organisation skills and the ability to manage a busy workload in a proactive manner. The candidate will be a reliable and enthusiastic key person working within a small team. Previous experience of working as a legal secretary would be an advantage. Experience of formatting complicated documents and tables using Microsoft Office systems including Word and Excel is essential. No prior knowledge of the legislation that applies to the role is required as training will be provided.

Key responsibilities

• Providing administrative, legal secretarial and PA support to the Registrar
• Dealing with enquiries to the Registry by telephone, email and in person, answering queries wherever possible
• Preparing paperwork for clergy and lay appointments in a timely manner
• Managing the legal archive of documentation and deeds. Saving, scanning and copying correspondence and documents onto the Registry database and into the Parish Boxes on site
• Requesting and collect information from ordinands, using it to prepare ordination documents. Liaising with the Ministry Team and meeting with ordinands at the office when required
• Processing the Registries in accordance with legal requirements, including an active spreadsheet tracking the legal status of vacant parishes across the Diocese
• Coordinating the requirements of the Pastoral Benefice Measure 1986 regarding patronage, answering queries and managing the upkeep of the Patronage Register in electronic form
• Assisting the Designated Officer in accordance with the Patronage and Benefice Measure 1986 [preparing paperwork for the appointment of clergy to vacancy benefices], answering queries and liaising with parishes regarding the legal requirements of the appointment of clergy
• Providing first line support to the DAC regarding Faculties and Consistory Court Applications and processing faculty requests
• Preparing Court bundles for Consistory Court hearings and arranging venues for court hearings and setting up ready for a hearing of the Consistory Court
• Liaising with external lawyers, including the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor, Deputy Registrar and property solicitors as required
• Liaising with key contacts within the diocese eg Bishop of Blackburn, Bishop’s Appointment Secretary, Archdeacons and the Diocesan Secretary
• Liaising with the Accounts department regarding Consistory Court fees and Marriage License fees. Preparing legal costs calculations using excel
• Sealing documents and preparing deeds and Faculty Orders
• Preparing and format legal documents, tables and letters using Word - tracked changes and creating comparisons
• Preparing and managing excel spreadsheets
• Undertaking paralegal responsibilities and legal research with supervision
• Ensuring the confidentiality of all Registry documentation and information
  
  
  

How To Apply

For a full job description, including terms and conditions and how to apply, please visit General vacancies | The Diocese of Blackburn