Canon 1425§4 - Single
Clerical Judge

If it happens that a collegiate tribunal cannot be established for a trial of first instance, the conference of bishops can permit the bishop to entrust cases to a single clerical judge as long as the impossibility of establishing a college perdures; he is to be a cleric and is to employ an assessor and an auditor where possible.

Complementary Norm: In accord with the prescriptions of canon 1425§4, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops authorizes diocesan bishops to entrust a trial of first instance to a single clerical judge.

Approved: General Meeting, November 1983

Reviewed: Holy See (Congregation of Bishops) Letter to Apostolic Pro-Nuncio (Prot. No 296/84) April 28, 1984

Action not considered a decree (c. 455§2); therefore, does not require recognitio of the Holy See

Promulgated: Memorandum to All Bishops, June 1, 1984