On Tuesday 10 February 2026, General Synod considered the Reintroduction/Final Approval of the Clergy Conduct Measure, Clergy Conduct Measure, GS 2311B and Report by the Legislative Committee (Clergy Conduct Measure), GS 2311W.
Background
Following the meeting in private session of the Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee) on 21 October 2025 to discuss the proposed Clergy Conduct Measure, on 30 October 2025, the Ecclesiastical Committee, in accordance with s3(4) Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, communicated its report on the Clergy Conduct Measure in draft to the Legislative Committee.
The Ecclesiastical Committee raised concerns about the Clergy Conduct Measure and was of the opinion that it was not expedient. The Legislative Committee withdrew the Measure from the Ecclesiastical Committee and sought its reintroduction into the Synod with a view to an amendment being made to address the principal concern raised[1].
General Synod Consideration
The Church of England Legislative Business Tuesday 10 February 2026 includes the following on the Clergy Conduct Measure[2]:
“The Clergy Conduct Measure (CCM) was then reintroduced to synod following feedback from the Parliamentary Ecclesiastical Committee. Synod agreed an amendment, reversing the presumption of private hearings so that tribunals and courts will normally sit in public. Final approval for the Measure was then secured comfortably across all three Houses.
Bishops – For: 21, Against: 0, Abstained: 0
Clergy – For: 142, Against: 0, Abstained: 3
Laity – For: 149, Against:0, Abstained: 0
Synod then approved changes to the Church Representation Rules concerning PCC decisions taken by correspondence, introducing the requirement that at least one third of members must give written approval and that no member objects. The motion passed with strong support.
(Votes – Bishops: 17–0–0; Clergy: 94–6–3; Laity: 104–1–5).”
[1] David Lamming’s Comment discusses the procedure involved. He notes: “A previous occasion when the EC found a draft Measure inexpedient concerned what became, after amendment, the Churchwardens Measure 2001. James Behrens wrote about the process in an article for the Ecclesiastical Law Journal: 6 Ecc LJ 97. In that case, the draft Measure first received Synod’s approval in July 1997 and, after being batted back and forth between Synod and the EC, eventually received Royal Assent nearly four years later in April 2001”.
[2] See also Synod approves amended Clergy Conduct Measure.
Footnote [1] has an errant year in its final line. Surely it should read ‘April 2001’ (not 2021)
Thanks. dp