On the participation of a party’s legal representative in their examination in canonical proceedings – an analysis based on a case study

Abstract

This paper examines whether a party’s procurator can be present during the party’s interrogation in trials before a church tribunal. The study is based on an analysis of the provisions of the Code of Canon Law, with particular reference to canons 1534 and 1561. The author questions the interpretation of the diocesan court, which, in a particular case, refused the participation of a procurator in the questioning of a party, relying on only the literal wording of canon 1561. The article presents a rich argumentation in favor of the author’s position based on systemic and functional interpretation, pointing out the necessity of the appropriate application of the rules on witnesses to the questioning of parties, and provides other arguments that this interpretation better achieves the goals of the canon law system, including the protection of the rights of the faithful. In addition, the article discusses the possibility of ad hoc appointment of a procurator as an advocate, which could solve the problem of his presence during the interrogation. The article concludes that the tribunal’s decision not to allow an attorney to participate in the party’s interrogation was wrong.