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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 883
ECCLESIASTICAL LAW, ENGLAND
The Abuse Redress Rules 2026
Made - - - - 14th July 2026
Laid before Parliament 30th July 2026
Coming into force in accordance with rule 1(2)
The Rule Committee, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 4(4), 7(1) and (2), 8(1), (2)
and (4), 9(1), (3), (8) and (9), 10(2), (8) and (9), 12(3) and (6) to (9), 15(1), 16(1), 17(1), 18(3) and
(5), 20(1), 21(6), 22(1), 26(4) and (5), 27(3) and 29(1) to (4) and (7) of the Abuse Redress Measure
2025(1), makes the following Rules.
Part 1
INTRODUCTION
Citation, commencement and interpretation
1.—(1) These Rules may be cited as the Abuse Redress Rules 2026.
(2) These Rules come into force immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Abuse
Redress Measure 2025.
(3) The Abuse Redress Measure 2025 is referred to in these Rules as “the Measure”.
Part 2
ENTITLEMENT TO REDRESS
Categories of abuse
2.—(1) T his rule makes provision for the purposes of section 4(4)(b) of the Measure.
(2) The “sexual abuse” by one person (A) of another (B) includes—
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(a) the use by A of coercion or physical force to cause B to engage in sexual activity without
B’s consent;
(b) the penetration by A of B’s vagina, anus or mouth with a part of A’s body or anything else
without B’s consent;
(c) the sexual touching by A of B without B’s consent;
(d) the use by A of coercion or physical force to expose B to pornography or to sexual activity
taking place in person;
(e) the exposure by A to B of A’s genitals;
(f) conduct by A towards B of a kind which comes within section 67 or 67A of the Sexual
Offences Act 2003(2) (voyeurism, upskirting).
(3) The “physical abuse” by one person (A) of another (B) includes the deliberate infliction by
A of physical pain or injury on B, whether by hitting, smacking, kicking, slapping or stabbing or
by some other means.
(4) The “psychological or emotional abuse” by one person (A) of another (B) includes conduct—
(a) which is characterised by a deliberate and systematic pattern of controlling or manipulative
behaviour by A towards B, and
(b) which involves an attempt by A to frighten, control or isolate B by, for example—
(i)spreading rumours about B which a reasonable person would think could cause
serious damage to B’s reputation, or
(ii)subjecting B to treatment that is inconsistent with A’s treatment of others and has the
effect of undermining B’s self-identity.
(5) The “spiritual abuse” by one person (A) of another (B) is a form of psychological or emotional
abuse which is carried out by A in a religious context and which has the effect of—
(a) harming B’s spiritual well-being, or
(b) legitimising or facilitating the abuse of B that comes within another category in
section 4(2) of the Measure.
(6) The “neglect and maltreatment” by one person (A) of another (B) is conduct—
(a) which is characterised by a failure by A to meet B’s physical or psychological needs to an
extent likely to result in the serious impairment of B’s health or development, and
(b) which takes place when B is present in a children’s home or residential school managed
by the Church of England.
(7) The “financial abuse” by one person (A) of another (B) is limited to conduct by A towards
B which—
(a) causes B to suffer direct financial loss, and
(b) provides a direct financial benefit to A or another person.
Application for redress: procedure
3.—(1) An application for redress under section 3 of the Measure—
(a) may be made in writing, or
(b) may be made orally by means of such facility for making the application by telephone as
the redress body arranges to provide.
(2) An application made in writing—
(2) 2003 c. 42.
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(a) must be verified by a statement of truth made by the applicant, and
(b) must be submitted—
(i)by means of the online facility provided by the redress body, or
(ii)if that facility is not available or the applicant is unable to use it, by such other means
as the redress body may permit.
(3) An application made orally—
(a) must be verified by a statement of truth made by the applicant, with the statement to be
submitted in accordance with paragraph (2)(b), and
(b) must be recorded in writing by the person who provides the facility referred to
in paragraph (1)(b).
(4) The application must be accompanied by—
(a) evidence of the applicant’s identity (including, if the applicant’s name has changed since
the abuse took place, evidence of the change of name sufficient to satisfy the redress body),
and
(b) evidence of the applicant’s postal address.
(5) The application may be accompanied by any other material, in any form, which the applicant
considers relevant to the application.
(6) The application is to be regarded as being made on the day on which it is received by the
redress body.
(7) An application made orally—
(a) is to be treated for the purposes of paragraph (4) as being accompanied by the evidence
required by that paragraph as soon as that evidence is provided to the redress body in the
manner specified in paragraph (2)(b), and
(b) is to be treated for the purposes of paragraph (6) as received by the redress body on the
day on which the statement of truth required by paragraph (3)(a) and the evidence required
by paragraph (4) are provided to the redress body.
(8) Where the application is made for a person who lacks capacity to make it by a person who
has authority to do so for that person under the Mental Capacity Act 2005(3), the application must
be accompanied by evidence of the authority.
Application for redress: final date
4. The date specified under section 9(3) of the Measure as the final date for which an application
for redress under section 3 of the Measure may be made is the first day of the final nine months of
the period determined under section 9(2) of the Measure.
Application for redress: exceptions to entitlement
5.—(1) An application for redress under section 3 of the Measure may not (subject
to paragraph (3)) be made if proceedings on a claim for a sum of money arising from a relevant
matter brought by the applicant for redress are pending before a court or tribunal.
(2) A “relevant matter” is a matter on which an application for redress under section 3 of the
Measure could be based but for paragraph (1).
(3) Paragraph (1) does not prevent an application for redress under section 3 of the Measure if
the claim in question is—
(3) 2005 c. 9.
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(a) stayed pending determination of the application, or
(b) withdrawn or discontinued.
(4) An application for redress under section 3 of the Measure may not be made if an application
for redress under that section relating to the same abuse has previously been made by the applicant
and—
(a) the application was granted and the determination was notified to the applicant (including
in a case where an award of redress lapsed under rule 11(2)), or
(b) the application was not granted but the determination not to grant it was reversed on an
appeal under section 15 of the Measure.
Application on behalf of child
6.—(1) In making an appointment of a person as an appropriate adult for a child under section 7(1)
of the Measure on an application for redress under section 3 or on an appeal under section 15, the
redress body is entitled to rely solely on a certificate given in writing by that person—
(a) which states that the person—
(i)can fairly and competently make and proceed with the application or bring the
appeal,
(ii)has no interests adverse to those of the child, and
(iii)has no interests adverse to those of the redress body, and
(b) which is verified by a statement of truth made by the person.
(2) But an appointment under paragraph (1) does not take effect unless and until the appeal
authority, having had the certificate under paragraph (1) referred to it by the redress body, is
satisfied—
(a) that the person to whom it relates meets the conditions in paragraph (1)(a), and
(b) that the statement of truth is valid.
(3) A person appointed as an appropriate adult must, when making an application for redress
under section 3 of the Measure or an appeal under section 15, certify in writing that the person meets
the conditions in paragraph (1)(a); and the certificate must be verified by a statement of truth made
by the appointed person.
(4) For the purposes of section 7(2)(b) of the Measure, a decision by the redress body that it is
not feasible to appoint an appropriate adult may be made only if a period of at least six months has
elapsed since the redress body began the process of identifying a person whom it would be feasible
to appoint.
(5) A certificate under paragraph (3) is to be treated for the purposes of the application or appeal
to which the certificate relates as conclusive evidence of the matters stated in it.
(6) A certificate under paragraph (1) or (3) must be in such form as the Archbishops’ Council or
the redress body may specify or in a substantially similar form.
Entitlement to continue application where applicant dies
7.—(1) T his rule applies to a case within section 8 of the Measure on an application for redress
under section 3.
(2) To exercise the entitlement to proceed with the application, the person concerned must give
a written notification to the redress body of the intention to proceed with the application.
(3) The notification under paragraph (2) must be accompanied by—
(a) a certified copy of the deceased’s death certificate,
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(b) evidence of the identity of the person intending to proceed with the application, and
(c) evidence that the relationship between that person and the deceased is of a kind that comes
within section 8(3)(a) or (b) of the Measure.
(4) If the redress body is informed that the applicant for redress has died without the application
being determined and, in the following three months, nobody expresses an intention to proceed
under paragraph (2) with the application, the application is dismissed.
(5) Where there is both a surviving spouse or surviving civil partner and another surviving partner,
only that other surviving partner is entitled to proceed with the application.
(6) Where two or more surviving children are entitled under section 8(3)(b) of the Measure to
proceed with the application, it may be continued by two or more of those persons acting jointly.
(7) For the purposes of section 8(4) of the Measure, the circumstances in which the deceased’s
personal representatives are entitled to proceed with the application are those in which they have
applied for a grant of probate or letters of administration and are progressing the application with
reasonable diligence, the application having been made before the end of—
(a) 24 months beginning with the date of the death, or
(b) if the redress body and personal representatives agree a longer period, that longer period.
(8) Accordingly, no person is entitled to act under section 8(3) of the Measure before the end of
the period applicable under paragraph (7).
(9) But where a person who is a personal representative is entitled to act under section 8(3) of the
Measure, that person may proceed with the application on that basis; and paragraph (7) accordingly
does not apply.
(10) The redress body must make arrangements for ensuring that a person entitled to proceed
with the application is provided with the documents or other information relating to the application
which that person may reasonably require in order to proceed with the application.
(11) Where a person entitled to proceed with the application lacks capacity to do so and the
notification under paragraph (2) is given by a person who has authority to do so for that person under
the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the notification must be accompanied by evidence of the authority.
Withdrawal of application
8.—(1) An applicant for redress under section 3 of the Measure may withdraw the application
by giving written notice to the redress body.
(2) The redress body, having received a notice under paragraph (1), must inform any person who
would, if an award of redress had been made, have been capable of being an appropriate authority.
(3) An application for redress under section 3 of the Measure may be made in relation to abuse
to which an application withdrawn under this rule related.
Part 3
AWARD OF REDRESS
Request for further material
9.—(1) A request under section 10(2)(b) of the Measure by the redress body for further material
on an application for redress under section 3—
(a) must be in writing (even if an oral request for that material has already been made), and
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(b) must specify the period within which the redress body wishes the material to be provided
to it.
(2) If the material requested is not provided to the redress body within the period specified
under paragraph (1)(b), the redress body must send a written notice to the person from whom the
material is requested requiring the material to be provided to the redress body within the period
specified in the notice.
(3) If the material requested is not provided before the end of the period specified
under paragraph (2), the redress body may pause the determination of the application; and, if the
redress body does so, it must specify the time at which or circumstances in which the determination
of the application is to be resumed.
(4) If the material requested is not provided before the end of the period specified
under paragraph (2) and, where the determination of the application is paused under paragraph (3),
not provided before the end of the period of the pause, and the redress body is satisfied that it
cannot determine the application without that material, the application is to be treated as withdrawn
under rule 8.
Determination of application
10.—(1) The determination of an application for redress under section 3 of the Measure and
the reasons for the determination must be notified by the redress body in writing to the applicant’s
lawyer or, if the applicant does not have a lawyer, to the applicant (even if notification has already
been given orally).
(2) The written notification under paragraph (1) must include an explanation of the right of appeal
under section 16 of the Measure.
Determination of award of redress
11.—(1) Where, on an application for redress under section 3 of the Measure, the redress body
makes an award of redress (whether in the form of a redress payment or some other remedy), it must,
when giving the written notification under rule 10(1), invite the applicant to indicate—
(a) whether the applicant wishes to accept, or wishes not to accept, the award,
(b) in so far as the award consists of a redress payment and the applicant wishes to receive
the payment, whether the applicant would prefer to receive the payment as a single lump
sum or by instalments, and
(c) if the applicant indicates under sub-paragraph (b) a preference for receiving the payment
by instalments, the frequency with which the applicant would wish the instalments to be
paid (but see rule 14(2)(b)).
(2) If the applicant does not reply to the invitation before the end of six months beginning with
the date of the notification under rule 10(1), the award lapses.
(3) Where personal representatives proceeded with the application by virtue of rule 7(7), the
award forms part of the deceased’s residuary estate.
(4) In deciding the form or content of the remedy, the redress body must have due regard to
guidance prepared by the Archbishops’ Council on the provision of remedies other than redress
payments (see section 22(3) of the Measure).
Determination of award of redress: aggravating factors
12.—(1) T his rule sets out factors which are to be regarded as aggravating for the purposes of
section 12 of the Measure on an application for redress under section 3.
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(2) In a case where the person who suffered abuse reported to one or more Church officers that
the abuse had been committed, each of the following is to be regarded as an aggravating factor—
(a) one or more Church officers disbelieved the report of the abuse;
(b) one or more Church officers did not co-operate with ensuing investigations;
(c) one or more Church officers made threats to the person who suffered the abuse in order to
discourage that person from disclosing the abuse to others;
(d) one or more Church officers who knew that the person who committed the abuse had the
propensity to commit abuse did not do anything to prevent the person from committing
abuse.
(3) In a case where more than one person committed abuse, that fact is to be regarded as an
aggravating factor.
(4) In a case where the person who suffered abuse was aged under 18 when abuse to which the
application relates was carried out, that fact is to be regarded as an aggravating factor.
(5) “Church officer” has the meaning given in section 5 of the Measure.
Determination of amount of redress payment
13.—(1) To determine the amount of a redress payment on an application under section 3 of the
Measure, the redress body must take the steps set out in the Schedule (so far as they are applicable).
(2) In the Schedule, “the assessment framework” means the document referred to in section 29(7)
of the Measure.
(3) In a case where the applicant is not the person who suffered the abuse to which the application
relates, the references in the Schedule to the applicant are to be read as references to the person who
suffered the abuse.
Making redress payment
14.—(1) T his rule applies where the redress body awards a redress payment on an application
under section 3 of the Measure.
(2) The payment may be made—
(a) as a single lump sum, or
(b) by no more than three equal instalments over the period of twelve months beginning with
the day on which the amount of the redress payment is determined.
(3) The payment may not be made after the end of the period provided for under section 9(2)
of the Measure.
(4) But if it is not possible for the payment to be made in full before the end of that period, it must
(in so far as not made before the end of that period) be made as soon as is reasonably practicable
after the end of that period.
(5) The redress body must, subject to paragraphs (6) to (9), arrange for the payment to be made
to the bank account details of which have been provided by the applicant or the applicant’s lawyer.
(6) P aragraph (7) applies where—
(a) the redress body determines under section 12(1) of the Measure that a redress payment is
to be made to the applicant, and
(b) the applicant notifies the redress body that the applicant wishes the payment to be held
on trust for a specified person on the terms specified (and the person whom the applicant
specifies may be the applicant himself or herself).
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(7) The redress payment may not be made unless and until arrangements are in place for
the payment to be held on trust for the person and on the terms specified in the notification
under paragraph (6)(b).
(8) But where the application for redress has been continued under section 8(3) of the Measure
(continuation by surviving partner or surviving child), the redress payment is to be held by the
applicant on trust to the order of the deceased’s personal representatives, unless the appeal authority
certifies in accordance with paragraphs (9) to (11) that that would be contrary to the interests of
justice.
(9) The redress body must refer each application that has been continued under section 8(3) of
the Measure to the appeal authority for it—
(a) to determine whether it would be in, or would be contrary to, the interests of justice for
the redress payment to be held as mentioned in paragraph (8), and
(b) to certify its determination in writing.
(10) If the appeal authority certifies that it would be in the interests of justice for the redress
payment to be held as mentioned in paragraph (8), the redress payment may be made only when the
personal representatives request the redress body to make it; and the redress body must not grant a
request unless the personal representatives provide a sealed copy of the grant of probate or the grant
of letters of administration.
(11) If the appeal authority certifies that it would be contrary to the interests of justice for the
redress payment to be held as mentioned in paragraph (8), the redress payment is to be made to the
applicant in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (7).
(12) In the case of an application continued by virtue of section 8(2) of the Measure, the reference
in paragraph (8) to the deceased is a reference to the person who brought the application for redress
under section 3 (and not to the person who continued that application by virtue of section 8(1)).
Recovering redress payment made in error etc.
15.—(1) If the redress body discovers that a redress payment has been made in error, it must
inform the recipient of the payment that it requires the amount specified by the redress body to be
repaid within the period specified by it.
(2) If the redress body discovers that a redress payment has been made to a person who the redress
body is satisfied knowingly provided false information in making the application for redress, the
redress body must inform the recipient of the payment that it requires the amount specified by the
redress body to be paid within the period specified by it.
(3) In a case within paragraph (1) or (2), the redress body may permit the recipient to make the
repayment by instalments.
(4) The amount of a payment required under paragraph (1) or (2) is recoverable by the redress
body as a debt due to it.
Remedy other than redress payment
16.—(1) T his rule applies where the redress body on an application under section 3 of the Measure
awards a remedy other than a redress payment (whether or not the award consists also of a redress
payment).
(2) The remedy may be provided on a one-off basis, on more than one occasion or in stages.
(3) The remedy may not be provided after the end of the period provided for under section 9(2)
of the Measure.
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(4) But if it is not possible for the remedy to be provided in full before the end of that period, it
must (in so far as not provided before the end of that period) be provided as soon as is reasonably
practicable after the end of that period.
Part 4
APPEALS
Application for permission to appeal
17.—(1) An application under section 16 of the Measure for permission to bring an appeal under
section 15—
(a) must be made in writing,
(b) must specify the grounds of appeal,
(c) must be verified by a statement of truth made by the applicant, and
(d) must be submitted—
(i)by means of the online facility provided by the appeal authority, or
(ii)if that facility is not available or the applicant is unable to use it, by such means as
the appeal authority may permit.
(2) The application for permission must be made—
(a) before the end of six months beginning with the day on which the written notification
under rule 10(1) is received by the appellant’s lawyer or the appellant (as the case may
be), or
(b) if the appeal authority is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which justify
making the application after the end of that six-month period, as soon as is reasonably
practicable after the end of that period.
(3) Where permission to appeal is granted, the appeal itself stands referred to the appeal authority.
(4) When granting an application for permission to appeal, the appeal authority—
(a) may decide that only certain issues are to be subject to appeal, and
(b) may impose other restrictions or conditions on the appeal.
(5) Where the application for permission to appeal is made for a person who lacks capacity to
make it by a person who has authority to do so under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the application
must be accompanied by evidence of the authority.
Appointment of persons to assist appeal authority with deciding appeal
18.—(1) In deciding whether to make an appointment under section 17(3) of the Measure, or
whom to appoint, the appeal authority must consider what would be in the interests of justice in all
the circumstances of the appeal.
(2) To facilitate decisions under paragraph (1), the Archbishops’ Council may compile a list of
persons willing to assist on appeals under the Measure, each of whom has a relevant expertise; and
for that purpose, “relevant expertise” includes expertise in—
(a) medicine or other matters relating to health care;
(b) psychology;
(c) law;
(d) social work;
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(e) social and public policy.
(3) An expertise is capable of being relevant whether it is based on practical experience or on
academic study.
Withdrawal of appeal
19.—(1) An appellant may withdraw the appeal by giving written notice to the appeal authority.
(2) The appeal authority, having received a notice under paragraph (1), must inform any person
who could, if an award of redress had been made, have been an appropriate authority.
Hearing of appeal
20.—(1) The appeal authority may not receive oral evidence or evidence which was not before
the redress body, unless the appeal authority orders otherwise.
(2) The appeal authority must allow an appeal where the decision of the redress body was wrong
or was unjust because of a serious irregularity in the determination of the application.
(3) The appeal authority may draw inferences of fact which it considers justified on the evidence.
(4) The appeal authority may, subject to the provisions of the Measure and these Rules, regulate
its own procedure.
Part 5
RECONSIDERATION IN LIGHT OF NEW INFORMATION
Determination on reconsideration
21.—(1) In a case where section 18 of the Measure applies on an application for redress under
section 3, the applicant or other person may give the information in question to the redress body for
it to reconsider the application for redress.
(2) In making its determination on the reconsideration, the redress body may follow such
procedure as it thinks appropriate.
(3) The determination on the reconsideration and the reasons for the determination must be
notified by the redress body in writing to the applicant (even if notification has already been given
to the applicant orally).
Appeal against determination on reconsideration
22.—(1) In a case where section 18 of the Measure applies on an application for redress
under section 3, the applicant may appeal against the determination by the redress body on its
reconsideration of the application.
(2) The appeal is to be limited to a review of the determination of the reconsideration.
(3) The appeal is to be determined by a person eligible for appointment under section 16(1) of
the Measure; and section 16(2) and (3) of the Measure applies accordingly.
(4) S ection 17(3) to (7) of the Measure applies to the appeal as it applies to an appeal against the
determination of an application for redress.
(5) The appeal must be made before the end of one month beginning with the date of the
notification under rule 21(3).
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(6) P art 4 of these Rules applies to the appeal as it applies to an appeal against the determination
of an application for redress.
Part 6
THE REDRESS FUND
Action to anticipate breach of charitable duties
23. Each of the following is a matter by reference to which the Archbishops’ Council may be
satisfied that current circumstances are such as are referred to in section 20(1) of the Measure—
(a) the most recently published financial statements of the Council;
(b) the level of the Council’s reserves at the time at which the Council issued the certificate
under section 20 of the Measure;
(c) statements of accounting principles or standards for the time being issued by the Financial
Reporting Council Limited (a company limited by guarantee);
(d) statements of recommended practice on financial reporting;
(e) guidance or advice for the time being issued by the Charity Commission;
(f) guidance or advice for the time being issued by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;
(g) other guidance or advice on good industry practice;
(h) an opinion of a person professionally qualified as an accountant or auditor.
Request for contribution
24.—(1) The total amount of a contribution received from an appropriate authority on a request
under section 21(1)(a) of the Measure must not exceed 25% of the amount of the redress payment.
(2) It is for the appropriate authority, having received the request, to decide—
(a) whether to make a contribution,
(b) if it decides to do so, the amount of the contribution,
(c) whether to make the contribution by a single payment or by instalments, and
(d) if it decides to pay by instalments, the amount and frequency of each instalment.
(3) For the purposes of section 21(6) of the Measure, the person specified is the Dean and Chapter
of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Oxford of the Foundation of King Henry VIII.
Part 7
MISCELLANEOUS
Information sharing: objections to disclosure
25.—(1) A person (“the objector”) may object under section 26(3) of the Measure to providing
items of evidence specified in a notice under section 26(2) on any grounds on which the person
would be entitled to do so under the data protection legislation or in proceedings in the High Court.
(2) The objection must indicate, by reference to each item specified in the notice, whether the
objector objects to providing it or is willing to do so.
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(3) The objection must, in the case of each item which the objector objects to providing, specify
the grounds on which the objection is made, including the legal basis of the objection.
(4) The objection must, in the case of each item which the objector is willing to provide, specify
the date by which the objector expects to do so.
(5) The objection—
(a) may be made in writing, or
(b) if the redress body arranges to provide a telephone facility for making the objection, may
be made orally by using that facility.
(6) The objection must be made before the end of 14 days beginning with the day after the
objector receives the notice.
(7) The redress body, having determined the objection, must notify the objector of its decision—
(a) in the case of each item which the objector objects to providing, on whether to accept the
objection and, if the redress body decides not to accept it, the date by which it requires
the item to be provided, and
(b) in the case of each item which the objector is willing to provide, on whether to accept the
date which the objector specified for the purpose of paragraph (4) and, if the redress body
decides not to accept it, the date by which it requires the item to be provided.
(8) The notification under paragraph (7) must specify the reasons for each decision by the redress
body.
(9) The redress body may regulate its own procedure in determining an objection under
section 26(3) of the Measure.
(10) In discharging the duty under section 26(1) of the Measure or in responding to a notice under
section 26(2), the appropriate authority must have due regard to any guidance on the matter which
the Archbishops’ Council may prepare and from time to time revise.
Information sharing: onward disclosure
26. A disclosure of information provided to the redress body in response to a notice under
section 26(2) of the Measure may be made by the redress body in accordance with such protocol on
data-sharing as the Archbishops’ Council may issue.
Pause of application: applicant
27.—(1) The redress body, having received an application for redress under section 3 of the
Measure, must, on receiving written notice from the applicant, pause the determination of the
application.
(2) If the applicant has not lifted the pause before the end of six months beginning with the day
on which the pause began, the application is treated as withdrawn under rule 8.
(3) If the applicant has not lifted the pause before the end of five months beginning with the day
on which the pause began, the redress body must notify the applicant in writing that, if the pause is
not lifted before the end of the six-month period referred to in paragraph (2), the application will be
treated as withdrawn as mentioned in that paragraph.
Pause of application: redress body
28. Where, before its determination of an application for redress under section 3 of the Measure,
the redress body becomes aware that there is a current issue relating to the safeguarding of the
applicant, it may pause the determination of the application for such period as it decides.
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Lawyers’ costs
29.—(1) Where a determination is made under section 12 of the Measure that an award of redress
is to be made on an application under section 3 and a lawyer has been acting on the application,
the Archbishops’ Council must make a payment of £5,000 plus Value Added Tax to the lawyer (but
see paragraph (4)), unless the Council is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances in the case
of that application which justify not making the payment.
(2) If the award consists of a redress payment, a lawyer acting for the applicant must certify in
writing whether or not the lawyer and the applicant have agreed that the lawyer may deduct some
or all of the lawyer’s fees from a redress payment awarded to the applicant; and for that purpose,
“fees” does not include disbursements or expenses.
(3) A certificate under paragraph (2) is to be treated for the purposes of this rule as conclusive
evidence of the matters stated in it; and, accordingly, if the certificate states that there is an agreement
between the lawyer and the applicant of the kind referred to in paragraph (2), the Council may not
make a payment under paragraph (1).
(4) In so far as the award consists of a redress payment and paragraph (3) does not apply, the
Council may not make a payment under paragraph (1) until the redress payment or, where rule
14(2)(b) applies, the first instalment has been paid to the applicant.
(5) Where different lawyers have acted on the application at different times, the Archbishops’
Council must make payments under paragraph (1) (totalling the amount specified in that paragraph)
of such amounts as the lawyers agree between themselves.
(6) Where an appeal under section 15 of the Measure reverses or varies a determination under
section 10 on an application under section 3 and a lawyer has been acting on the appeal (regardless
of whether that lawyer, another lawyer or no lawyer acted on the application), paragraphs (1) to ( 5)
of this rule apply to the appeal as they would apply if—
(a) the determination as reversed or varied had been made on the application, and
(b) the lawyer acting on the appeal had been acting on the application.
(7) In paragraph (5) as it is applied by paragraph (6), a reference to lawyers includes a reference
to lawyers acting on the application.
(8) The redress body may carry out the functions of the Archbishops’ Council under this rule
on behalf of the Council.
Extension of time periods
30.—(1) On an application for redress under section 3 of the Measure, the redress body may,
if it considers it necessary to do so, extend the duration of a period provided for by these Rules in
relation to the application.
(2) On an appeal under section 15 of the Measure, the appeal authority may, if it considers it
necessary to do so, extend the duration of a period provided for by these Rules in relation to the
appeal.
Procedural irregularities
31.—(1) An application for redress under section 3 of the Measure or an appeal under section 15
is not invalidated by any irregularity resulting from a failure to comply with a provision of these
Rules before the determination of the application or appeal.
(2) But if the redress body (on an application for redress) or the appeal authority (on an appeal)
considers that a person may have been prejudiced by the irregularity, it may take such steps as it
considers necessary for dealing with the irregularity before determining the application or appeal.
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Guidance on delegated functions
32.—(1) Where the Archbishops’ Council makes a delegation under section 2(2) or (3) of
the Measure, it must provide the delegate with written guidance on the exercise of the delegated
functions.
(2) In the exercise of the delegated functions, the delegate must have due regard to the guidance.
Morag Ellis KC
Christopher Angus
Ruth Arlow
Timothy Briden
Louise Connacher
Julie Dziegiel
Darren Oliver
These Rules were approved by the General Synod.
Jenny Jacobs
14th July 2026 Clerk to the General Synod
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Schedule Rule 13
AMOUNT OF REDRESS PAYMENT
Step 1
1.—(1) Step 1 is—
(a) to rank the severity of the abuse suffered by the applicant for redress, and
(b) using the following table, to identify the sum in the second column that corresponds to the
ranking specified in the first column for the severity of the abuse—
Severity of abuse Step 1 sum
1 £5,000
2 £10,000
3 £25,000
4 £35,000
5 £50,000
6 £150,000
(2) In making the ranking under sub-paragraph (1)(a), the redress body must apply the criteria
specified in the assessment framework.
(3) In taking Step 1, the redress body must consider whether, or to what extent, the applicant
suffered psychiatric injury in consequence of the abuse.
(4) “Psychiatric injury” means a mental disorder which meets the threshold for diagnosis in
accordance with—
(a) the publication for the time being in force commonly known as “the International
Classification of Diseases”, or
(b) the publication for the time being in force commonly known as “the Diagnostic Standard
Manual of Mental Disorders”.
(5) The sum identified under sub-paragraph (1)(b) is referred to as “the Step 1 sum”.
Step 2
2.—(1) Step 2 is—
(a) to rank the severity of the aggravating factors (if any) in the case, with “1” to apply where
the case has no aggravating factors, and
(b) using the following table, to multiply the Step 1 sum by the number specified in the second
column that corresponds to the ranking specified in the first column for the severity of the
aggravating factors—
Severity of aggravating factors Multiply by
1 1
2 1.25
3 1.5
4 2
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(2) In making the ranking under sub-paragraph (1)(a), the redress body must apply the criteria
specified in the assessment framework.
(3) The sum resulting under sub-paragraph (1)(b) is referred to as “the Step 2 sum”.
Step 3
3.—(1) Step 3 is—
(a) to rank the severity of the impact of the abuse on the applicant, and
(b) using the following table, to add to the Step 2 sum the amount specified in the second
column that corresponds to the ranking specified in the first column for the severity of the
impact of the abuse as mentioned in paragraph (a)—
Severity of impact Amount to add
1 £10,000
2 £20,000
3 £50,000
4 £70,000
5 £100,000
6 £250,000
(2) In making the ranking under sub-paragraph (1)(a), the redress body must apply the criteria
specified in the assessment framework.
(3) The sum resulting under sub-paragraph (1)(b) is referred to as “the Step 3 sum” and is the
amount of the redress payment, subject to—
(a) any payment determined under Step 4, and
(b) if applicable, any adjustment under Step 5.
Step 4
4.—(1) Step 4 is—
(a) to decide whether there are exceptional circumstances which justify increasing the Step
3 sum, and
(b) if the decision under paragraph (a) is that there are circumstances of that description, to
increase the Step 3 sum by 20%.
(2) In making the decision under paragraph (1)(a), the redress body must apply the criteria
specified in the assessment framework.
(3) The sum resulting under sub-paragraph (1)(b) is referred to as “the Step 4 sum” and is the
amount of the redress payment, subject to any adjustment under Step 5 (if applicable).
Step 5
5.—(1) Step 5 (as to which, see sub-paragraph (3)) arises only if compensation for having suffered
abuse to which the redress payment relates has previously been paid to the person who suffered the
abuse.
(2) The reference in sub-paragraph (1) to compensation paid for having suffered abuse is a
reference to an amount in recognition of abuse suffered that is paid—
(a) in proceedings on a claim,
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(b) in settlement of a claim (whether or not proceedings on the claim were brought before a
court or tribunal), or
(c) under a statutory or non-statutory scheme or some other arrangement.
(3) Step 5 is to deduct the amount of compensation from the amount of the redress payment
except in so far as that would give a number less than zero.
(4) Accordingly, if the amount of the compensation exceeds the amount of the redress payment,
the amount of the redress payment is zero.
(5) In a case within sub-paragraph (2)(c), the references in sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) to the
amount of compensation do not include—
(a) an amount paid under the scheme commonly known as “the Interim Support Scheme”
established by the Archbishops’ Council for the purpose of giving immediate help and
support to certain persons who have suffered abuse,
(b) an amount paid under a scheme established by the Archbishops’ Council to replace the
Interim Support Scheme, or
(c) an amount paid for the provision of psychotherapy or counselling.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules make procedural rules for the purposes of the Abuse Redress Measure 2025 (“the
Measure”).
These Rules relate only to an application for redress under section 3 of the Measure, namely an
application by or on behalf of a person who suffered the abuse to which the application relates.
Rule 1 provides for the commencement of the Rules by reference to the commencement of the
Measure.
Rule 2 provides for particular descriptions of abuse within the categories specified in the Measure.
Rule 3 sets out procedural steps to be taken when making an application.
Rule 4 specifies the deadline for making an application.
Rule 5 provides for exceptions to the entitlement to make an application.
Rule 6 sets out special procedural steps to be taken where the person who suffered the abuse is under
18 at the time the application is made.
Rule 7 sets out the procedure for the continuation of an application where the applicant dies after
the application is made but before it is determined.
Rule 8 provides for the withdrawal of an application.
Rule 9 sets out the procedure for the redress body to seek further information when determining
an application.
Rule 10 imposes requirements on the redress body for notifying the outcome of an application.
Rule 11 imposes requirement on the redress body for notifying an award of redress, in particular by
giving the applicant an opportunity to accept, or not to accept, the award.
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Rule 12 provides for the impact of aggravating factors on the determination of an application.
Rule 13 introduces the Schedule, which sets out the steps to take in calculating the amount of a
redress payment.
Rule 14 sets out the procedure for making a redress payment.
Rule 15 sets out the procedure for recovering a redress payment made in error.
Rule 16 sets out the procedure for making a non-financial award of redress.
Rule 17 sets out the procedure for applying for permission to appeal against the determination on
an application for redress.
Rule 18 provides for the appointment of persons to assist the appeal authority in its determination
of an appeal.
Rule 19 provides for the withdrawal of an appeal.
Rule 20 sets out procedural matters for the hearing of an appeal.
Rule 21 sets out procedural matters for having an application for redress redetermined where new
information comes to light after the original determination.
Rule 22 makes procedural provision for an appeal against the determination on a reconsideration.
Rule 23 sets out matters by reference to which the Archbishops’ Council may satisfy themselves
that it would be appropriate to take certain emergency steps where it thinks its status as a going
concern may be at risk.
Rule 24 provides further detail on requests by the redress body for contributions to awards of redress.
Rule 25 sets out procedural steps for a person who receives a request from the redress body to provide
information to object to doing so.
Rule 26 imposes limits on the onward disclosure of information provided pursuant to a request by
the redress body.
Rule 27 enables the applicant to pause an application.
Rule 28 enables the redress body to pause an application.
Rule 29 requires the Archbishops’ Council to make a payment of £5,000 plus VAT to an applicant’s
legal representatives, regardless of the outcome of the application.
Rule 30 gives the redress body a general power to extend time limits imposed by the Rules.
Rule 31 ensures that procedural irregularities will not invalidate an application or appeal.
Rule 32 provides that, where the Archbishops’ Council delegates functions under section 2(2) or (3)
of the Measure, it must provide the delegate with written guidance on the exercise of those functions.
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