JURISPRUDENCE & SENTENCE WRITING COURSE

Principally the course is designed to increase familiarity with marriage law jurisprudence to help judges or prospective judges become more familiar with the task of judging and sentence writing in marriage nullity cases.

The course is useful for canonists with a Licence whom Bishops have appointed or wish to appoint as judges but who have little or no experience of sentence writing. Equally, it is useful for experienced tribunal practitioners without a Licence whom Bishops plan to appoint, or have appointed, as judges (intending to obtain, or having obtained, the required dispensation.)

Though not designed for this purpose, the course has been used successfully by some who wish to develop the knowledge, and some of the skills, of an advocate or defender of the bond. However, no particular concession is made to this in the presentation of the course.

At present, the course is delivered at the Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, which is centrally located as the pastoral centre and curial offices of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. The centre offers 13 en suite rooms, appropriate classroom and library facilities, as well as all that is necessary for the celebration of the liturgy.

The course lasts 8 weeks spread over two years, four weeks each year in the month of January/beginning of February, as the calendar dictates.

Part I of the next course will begin on Sunday 10th January 2010 and will be completed on Friday 5th February 2010. (Part II is scheduled to begin on Sunday 9th January 2011, to be completed on Friday 4th February 2011.)

The cost of 2010 – 2011 course is £1450 per person, per part, and includes all tuition, materials, board and lodging etc. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 12, for each course. Each week a different teacher presents the material.

Part I consists of:

Week I Introduction to canon law; Introduction to canon law of marriage; Introduction to Christian anthropology; Procedures; Proofs.

Week 2 Introduction to sentence writing and the ground of fear and force.

Week 3 Grounds of condition, error and deceit.

Week 4 Grounds of simulation.

Part II consists of:

Week 1 Ground of Impotence and the question of non-consummation etc.

Week 2 Grounds of Lack of Use of Reason and Grave Lack of Discretion.

Week 3 Ground of Inability to assume and fulfil the essential obligations of marriage.

Week 4 Ground of Error determining the will; the question of Invalid
Convalidation.


Each week the participant takes part in classes, and receives and reads articles and materials on the topic being presented.

Apart from part I, week I, the participant will write a sentence on the corresponding ground for that week, have a one-to-one tutorial with that week’s lecturer and finish that week’s topic with a group seminar.

The academic week runs from the Sunday night to the Friday afternoon, with participants booked into the Gillis centre over the weekends so that they can rest and enjoy Edinburgh. Ultimately, it is up to the participant (and their superior) if they want to stay at weekends but it is included in the price and is strongly recommended. (No deduction in cost is made for those who choose not to stay.)

All applications for the course should be recommended and supported by a Diocesan Bishop, Judicial Vicar or other Lawful Superior.

Anyone wishing to find out more about this course can contact the course co-ordinator at the following e-mail address: gerardtartaglia@msn.com  (please state the name of the Tribunal with which you are associated and your position therein).