Bowker The Tribunal Handbook: Judicial Procedures in Marriage Nullity Cases

The Tribunal Handbook provides a comprehensive guide to the judicial procedures in marriage nullity cases within the Catholic Church. It covers various aspects of the process, including initial inquiries, case options, roles of tribunal staff, grounds for nullity, and the stages of the trial. The handbook is designed to assist canonists and tribunal personnel in handling marriage nullity cases effectively and in accordance with Church law. Key sections include: Initial Inquiries: Guidance on how to handle initial contacts, local assistance, and the documentation required for starting a case. Case Options: Different types of cases, including ordinary marriage cases and the briefer matrimonial process before the bishop. Officers of the Trial: Roles and responsibilities of judges, defenders of the bond, advocates, and other tribunal staff. Starting an Ordinary Marriage Case: Steps for beginning a case, including the libellus (petition) and contacting the respondent. Grounds for Nullity: Detailed explanation of the grounds for nullity and how to formulate the doubt. Parties and Witnesses: Procedures for gathering testimonies and examining parties and witnesses. Other Proofs: Use of public records, documents, and expert evaluations as evidence. Publication and Conclusion: Steps for publishing the acts of the case and concluding the evidence-gathering stage. Resolution without a Sentence: Situations where a case may end without a definitive sentence, such as suspension, abatement, or renunciation. First Instance Trial and Sentence: Conducting the trial, reaching moral certitude, and issuing the sentence. Actions Following the Sentence: Options for appeal, handling prohibitions, and complaints of nullity. Tribunal Staff: Roles, job definitions, and organizational options for tribunal personnel. The Briefer Matrimonial Process before the Bishop: Conditions and procedures for using the abbreviated process (processus brevior). Beyond Procedures: The Tribunal and the Diocese: Outreach programs, relationships with the diocese, and educating the faithful about the tribunal process. The handbook also includes summaries of the stages of the marriage nullity process and the second instance process, providing a clear and structured approach to handling these cases.