Tribunal is Judicial Office of the Bishop

The Tribunal is the judicial office of the bishop. The Tribunal interprets and applies the laws of the Church in the protection and assertion of rights as well as the determination of the status of persons in the Church. Although the majority of its work is resolving questions of marital invalidity, the Tribunal may deal with other canonical matters as well. Tribunal staff members are available to answer questions or to give presentations on the law as it applies to the life of the Church and its members. | Contact Us

Tribunal Roles and Responsibilities

The judicial vicar administers the Tribunal in the name of the bishop. The tribunal staff consists of clerics and lay people who function as judges, defenders of the bond and notaries. The judges investigate the circumstances surrounding the decision to enter marriage, intentions and beliefs regarding marriage, fulfillment of the obligations of marriage and the exchange of consent at the wedding. The defenders of the bond ensure that proper procedure is used, the rights of the parties are protected and the scaredness of marriage is upheld. Ecclesiastical notaries provide administrative support, prepare documents and decrees for judges and notarize ecclesiastical documents. In addition to our staff, volunteer advocates, living throughout the Diocese of Little Rock, assist those who want to submit a petition of invalidity to the Tribunal. All of the personnel of the Tribunal are appointed by the bishop.

Marriage Invalidity Cases

A person who desires a declaration of invalidity of a previous marriage(s) works with an advocate to prepare a case to submit to the Tribunal. A first step is to complete a preliminary questionnaire offering basic information about the marriage(s) in question. Next, Tribunal officers determine which process would be used to resolve each case. Each process is distinct. For this reason, the Tribunal can't provide a specific time frame within which the case will be decided. There is no way to know how long each case would take. To inquire about receiving a declaration of invalidity, contact your parish priest, an advocate or the Tribunal.

• Procedures in a Formal Case
• Frequently Asked Questions

Advocates

Advocates are an important resource for petitioners and respondents in marriage nullity cases. They assist with the presentation and defense of a petitioner or respondent’s position to the court. They are specially trained by Tribunal staff in canon law regarding marriage and procedures and must be approved by their bishop before they can serve as an advocate. They explain the process and advise their clients on how to respond to the Tribunal, and act as a liaison between their client and the Tribunal to provide updated contact information and case status. For a list of advocates in your area, contact Erin Morrison at (501) 664-0340, ext. 380 or Veronica Mendez-Matthey at (501) 664-0340, ext. 339.

If a petitioner or respondent would like to work with an advocate from outside the Diocese of Little Rock, he or she would need to submit the request form to the Tribunal. Priests, deacons and religious from outside of the Diocese of Little Rock must provide a letter of suitability from their diocesan bishop or letter of good standing from their ecclesiastical superior.

• Advocate Approval Request Form
• Apply to Become an Advocate
• Continuing Education for Advocates

Procurators

Procurators are people who are appointed to place acts for the party they represent. They act as an ecclesiastical power of attorney. There is no requirement for this person to be approved by the diocesan bishop. However, the judicial vicar determines if this person meets canonical requirements. There is no special training required for a person to be appointed as a procurator.