Canon 1421§2 - Lay
Persons as Judges

The conference of bishops can permit lay persons to be appointed judges; when it is necessary, one of them can be employed to form a collegiate tribunal.

Complementary Norm: In accord with the prescriptions of canon 1421§2, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops authorizes diocesan bishops to appoint lay persons as judges to serve as one member of a collegiate tribunal when necessary.

Approved: General Meeting, November 1983

Reviewed: Holy See (Congregation for 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