Canon law

The term "Canon law" can be said to describe a body of law applicable to a church. The term is a translation of the Latin ius canonicum. However, precise definition of the term is extremely problematic (See N. Doe, The Legal Framework of the Church of England (Clarendon Press, 1996) pp.12-13). The term "Canon Law" can be used to describe "a system of rules for the church, an area of academic study, and a body of scientific literature" (J. A. Coriden, Canon Law as Ministry (Paulist Press, New York 2000) p.1). This article will review the terminological issues concerning the term "Canon Law", its historical development in England and its operation in England today. For further discussion see R. Sandberg, Law and Religion (Cambridge University Press, 2011) particularly Ch.9