Canon
A canon is an ecclesiastical rule or precept of canon law governing the internal norms and organisation of the Roman Catholic Church.
Canon law consists of canons enacted by councils, popes or other ecclesiastical authorities. These rules govern, inter alia, the sacraments, the hierarchy, ecclesiastical marriage and discipline within the Church. The canons possess their own legal structure, comprising tribunals and procedures that operate independently of civil law.
In Dutch practice, canon law is relevant to ecclesiastical legal persons, matrimonial cases with an ecclesiastical component and property questions concerning ecclesiastical institutions. Lawyers may encounter it when clients initiate ecclesiastical proceedings or when the civil consequences of an ecclesiastical decision arise.
“The advocate invoked Canon 1095 to demonstrate that the ecclesiastical marriage could be declared null on grounds of psychological incapacity.”
Need legal advice?
Schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists