What is a Clergy Discipline and Terms of Service Legal Protection policy?

This policy provides legal protection for proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003. If you hold Common Tenure under the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Measure 2009, it also provides legal expenses cover in relation to any disputes, inquiries or grievances under this Measure. If you are a member of clergy in the Church in Wales it provides legal protection for the equivalent proceedings under the Church in Wales Constitution or the clergy handbook.

What is covered?

To ensure an expert service the cover under this policy has been arranged through DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited (DAS).

Up to £250,000 to cover costs and expenses to:

  • Help provide a formal written response to a complaint made against you under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 or the Church in Wales Constitution (limited to £1,000 + VAT)
  • Represent you at a hearing before a disciplinary tribunal or the Vicar General’s Court
  • Appeal against a finding and/or penalty following the hearing
  • Represent you in a dispute concerning your terms and conditions of service

In addition you have access to a range of telephone helplines.

Important

This policy has been specifically designed for individual clergy members and this cover is not provided by our Church insurance products and is typically not provided under a household legal expenses policy.

What does it cost?

The premium is £25 per year (plus Insurance Premium Tax). Please note terms and conditions apply.

Renewals and auto-renewal

We will send you a renewal pack within 21 days of your renewal date. It will have details of your renewal premium, any changes to the policy wording and cover, and a reminder of what you have told us, so you can update us if anything has changed.

  • If you pay by Direct Debit, your policy will automatically renew at the end of the policy term, giving you the peace of mind of continued cover. This means the renewal premium for your policy will be collected by Direct Debit on the date shown in your revised payment schedule. You can opt out of auto-renewal at any time by contacting us on 0345 777 3322 or emailing us at churches@ecclesiastical.com. If you opt out, you will need to contact us prior to your renewal date if you wish to renew your policy, otherwise your cover will cease when your existing policy expires leaving you with no insurance.
  • If you pay by any other means, please note, the policy will not automatically renew. You will need to contact us if you wish to renew your cover.

Please note that in rare instances we may be unable to offer renewal, in which case we will notify you.

Please note - calls to 03 numbers are typically charged at no more than local rate.

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