Canon 1671. §1 Marriage cases of the baptized belong to the ecclesiastical judge by proper right.

§2. Cases regarding merely the civil effects of marriage belong to a civil magistrate, unless the particular law establishes that such cases, if carried out in an incidental or accessory manner, can be recognized by and determined by an ecclesiastical judge.

§1. Causae matrimoniales baptizatorum iure proprio ad iudicem ecclesiasticum spectant.

§2. Causae de effectibus matrimonii mere civilibus pertinent ad civilem magistratum, nisi ius particulare statuat easdem causas, si incidenter et accessorie agantur, posse a iudice ecclesiastico cognosci ac definiri.

Canon 1672. In cases regarding the nullity of marriage not reserved to the Apostolic
See, the competencies are: 1° the tribunal of the place in which the marriage was celebrated; 2° the tribunal of the place in which either or both parties have a domicile or a quasi-domicile; 3° the tribunal of the place in which in fact most of the proofs must be collected.

In causis de matrimonii nullitate, quae non sint Sedi Apostolicae reservatae, competentia sunt:

1° tribunal loci in quo matrimonium celebratum est;

2° tribunal loci in quo alterutra vel utraque pars domicilium vel quasi-domicilium habet;

3° tribunal loci in quo de facto colligendae sunt pleraeque probationes.

Canon 1673. §1 In each diocese, the judge in first instance for cases of nullity or marriage for which the law does not expressly make an exception is the diocesan bishop, who can exercise judicial power personally or through others, according to the norm of law.

§2 The bishop is to establish a diocesan tribunal for his diocese to handle cases of nullity of marriage without prejudice to the faculty of the same bishop to approach another nearby diocesan or interdiocesan tribunal.

§3 Cases of nullity of marriage are reserved to a college of three judges. A judge who is a cleric must preside over the college, but the other judges may be laypersons.

§4 The bishop moderator, if a collegial tribunal cannot be constituted in the diocese or in a nearby tribunal chosen according to the norm of §2, is to entrust cases to a sole clerical judge who, where possible, is to employ two assessors of upright life, experts in juridical or human sciences, approved by the bishop for this task; unless it is otherwise evident, the same single judge has competency for those things attributed to the college, the praeses, or the ponens.

§5 The tribunal of second instance must always be collegiate for validity, according to the prescript of the preceding §3.

§6 The tribunal of first instance appeals to the metropolitan tribunal of second instance without prejudice to the prescripts of cann. 1438-1439 and 1444.

§1. In unaquaque dioecesi iudex primae instantiae pro causis nullitatis matrimonii iure expresse non exceptis est Episcopus dioecesanus, qui iudicialem potestatem exercere potest per se ipse vel per alios, ad normam iuris.

§2. Episcopus pro sua dioecesi tribunal dioecesanum constituat pro causis nullitatis matrimonii, salva facultate ipsius Episcopi accedendi ad aliud dioecesanum vel interdioecesanum vicinius tribunal.

§3. Causae de matrimonii nullitate collegio trium iudicum reservantur. Eidem praeesse debet iudex clericus, reliqui iudices etiam laici esse possunt.

§4. Episcopus Moderator, si tribunal collegiale constitui nequeat in dioecesi vel in viciniore tribunali ad normam §2 electo, causas unico iudici clerico committat qui, ubi fieri possit, duos assessores probatae vitae, peritos in scientiis iuridicis vel humanis, ab Episcopo ad hoc munus approbatos, sibi asciscat; eidem iudici unico, nisi aliud constet, ea competunt quae collegio, praesidi vel ponenti tribuuntur.

§5. Tribunal secundae instantiae ad validitatem semper collegiale esse debet, iuxta praescriptum praecedentis §3.

§6. A tribunali primae instantiae appellatur ad tribunal metropolitanum secundae instantiae, salvis praescriptis can. 1438-1439 et 1444.

Canon 1674. §1 The following are qualified to challenge a marriage: 1° the spouses; 2° the promoter of justice when nullity has already become public, if the convalidation of the marriage is not possible or expedient.

§2 A marriage which was not accused while both spouses were living cannot be accused after the death of either one or both of the spouses unless the question of validity is prejudicial to the resolution of another controversy either in the canonical forum or in the civil forum.

§3 If a spouse dies while the case is pending, however, can. 1518 is to be observed.

§1. Habiles sunt ad matrimonium impugnandum:

1° coniuges;

2° promotor iustitiae, cum nullitas iam divulgata est, si matrimonium convalidari nequeat aut non expediat.

§2. Matrimonium quod, utroque coniuge vivente, non fuit accusatum, post mortem alterutrius vel utriusque coniugis accusari non potest, nisi quaestio de validitate sit praeiudicialis ad aliam solvendam controversiam sive in foro canonico sive in foro civili.

§3. Si autem coniux moriatur pendente causa, servetur can. 1518.

Canon 1675. The judge, before he accepts a case, must be informed that the marriage has irreparably failed, such that conjugal living cannot be restored.


Iudex, antequam causam acceptet, certior fieri debet matrimonium irreparabiliter pessum ivisse, ita ut coniugalis convictus restitui nequeat.

Canon 1676. §1 After receiving the libellus, the judicial vicar, if he considers that it has some basis, admits it and, by a decree appended to the bottom of the libellus itself, is to order that a copy be communicated to the defender of the bond and, unless the libellus was signed by both parties, to the respondent, giving them a period of fifteen days to express their views on the petition.

§2 After the above-mentioned deadline has passed, and after the other party has been admonished to express his or her views if and insofar as necessary, and after the defender of the bond has been heard, the judicial vicar is to determine by his decree the formula of the doubt and is to decide whether the case is to be treated with the ordinary process or with the briefer process according to can. 1683-1687. This decree is to be communicated immediately to the parties and the defender of the bond.

§3 If the case is to be handled through the ordinary process, the judicial vicar, by the same decree, is to arrange the constitution of a college of judges or of a single judge with two assessors according to can. 1673, §4.

§4 However, if the briefer process is decided upon, the judicial vicar proceeds according to the norm of can. 1685.

§5 The formula of doubt must determine by which ground or grounds the validity of the marriage is challenged.

§1. Recepto libello, Vicarius iudicialis si aestimet eum aliquo fundamento niti, eum admittat et, decreto ad calcem ipsius libelli apposito, praecipiat ut exemplar notificetur defensori vinculi et, nisi libellus ab utraque parte subscriptus fuerit, parti conventae, eidem dato termino quindecim dierum ad suam mentem de petitione aperiendam.

§2. Praefato termino transacto, altera parte, si et quatenus, iterum monita ad suam mentem ostendendam, audito vinculi defensore, Vicarius iudicialis suo decreto dubii formulam determinet et decernat utrum causa processu ordinario an processu breviore ad mentem can. 1683-1687 pertractanda sit. Quod decretum partibus et vinculi defensori statim notificetur.

§3. Si causa ordinario processu tractanda est, Vicarius iudicialis, eodem decreto, constitutionem iudicum collegii vel iudicis unici cum duobus assessoribus iuxta can. 1673, §4 disponat.

§4. Si autem processus brevior statutus est, Vicarius iudicialis agat ad normam can. 1685.

§5. Formula dubii determinare debet quo capite vel quibus capitibus nuptiarum validitas impugnetur.

Canon 1677. §1 The defender of the bond, the legal representatives of the parties, as well as the promoter of justice, if involved in the trial, have the following rights: 1° to be present at the examination of the parties, the witnesses, and the experts, without
prejudice to the prescript of can. 1559; 2° to inspect the judicial acts, even those not yet published, and to review the documents presented by the parties.

§2 The parties cannot be present at the examination mentioned in §1, n. 1.

§1. Defensori vinculi, partium patronis et, si in iudicio sit, etiam promotori iustitiae ius est:

1° examini partium, testium et peritorum adesse, salvo praescripto can. 1559;

2° acta iudicialia, etsi nondum publicata, invisere et documenta a partibus producta recognoscere.

§2. Examini, de quo in §1, n. 1, partes assistere nequeunt.

Canon 1678. §1 In cases of the nullity of marriage, a judicial confession and the declarations of the parties, possibly supported by witnesses to the credibility of the parties, can have the force of full proof, to be evaluated by the judge after he has considered all the indications and supporting factors, unless other elements are present which weaken them.

§2 In the same cases, the testimony of one witness can produce full proof if it concerns a qualified witness making a deposition concerning matters done ex officio, or unless the circumstances of things and persons suggest it.

§3 In cases of impotence or defect of consent because of mental illness or an anomaly of a psychic nature, the judge is to use the services of one or more experts unless it is clear from the circumstances that it would be useless to do so; in other cases the prescript of can. 1574 is to be observed.

§4 Whenever, during the instruction of a case, a very probable doubt arises as to whether the marriage was ever consummated, the tribunal, having heard both parties, can suspend the case of nullity, complete the instruction for a dispensation super rato, and then transmit the acts to the Apostolic See together with a petition for a dispensation from either one or both of the spouses and the votum of the tribunal and the bishop.

§1. In causis de matrimonii nullitate, confessio iudicialis et partium declarationes, testibus forte de ipsarum partium credibilitate sustentae, vim plenae probationis habere possunt, a iudice aestimandam perpensis omnibus indiciis et adminiculis, nisi alia accedant elementa quae eas infirment.

§2. In iisdem causis, depositio unius testis plenam fidem facere potest, si agatur de teste qualificato qui deponat de rebus ex officio gestis, aut rerum et personarum adiuncta id suadeant.

§3. In causis de impotentia vel de consensus defectu propter mentis morbum vel anomaliam naturae psychicae iudex unius periti vel plurium opera utatur, nisi ex adiunctis inutilis evidenter appareat; in ceteris causis servetur praescriptum can. 1574.

§4. Quoties in instructione causae dubium valde probabile emerserit de non secuta matrimonii consummatione, tribunal potest, auditis partibus, causam nullitatis suspendere, instructionem complere pro dispensatione super rato, ac tandem acta transmittere ad Sedem Apostolicam una cum petitione dispensationis ab alterutro vel utroque coniuge et cum voto tribunalis et Episcopi.

Canon 1679. The sentence that first declared the nullity of the marriage, once the terms as determined by can. 1630-1633 have passed, becomes executive.

Sententia, quae matrimonii nullitatem primum declaravit, elapsis terminis a can. 1630-1633 ordinatis, fit exsecutiva.

Canon 1680. §1 The party who considers himself or herself aggrieved, as well as the promoter of justice and the defender of the bond, have the right to introduce a complaint of nullity of the judgment or appeal against the sentence, according to can. 1619-1640.

§2 After the time limits established by law for the appeal and its prosecution have passed, and after the judicial acts have been received by the tribunal of higher instance, a college of judges is established, the defender of the bond is designated, and the parties are admonished to put forth their observations within the prescribed time limit; after this time period has passed, if the appeal clearly appears merely dilatory, the collegiate tribunal confirms the sentence of the prior instance by decree.

§3 If an appeal is admitted, the tribunal must proceed in the same manner as the first instance with the appropriate adjustments.

§4 If a new ground of nullity of the marriage is alleged at the appellate level, the tribunal can admit it and judge it as if in first instance.

§1. Integrum manet parti, quae se gravatam putet, itemque promotori iustitiae et defensori vinculi querelam nullitatis sententiae vel appellationem contra eandem sententiam interponere ad mentem can. 1619-1640.

§2. Terminis iure statutis ad appellationem eiusque prosecutionem elapsis atque actis iudicialibus a tribunali superioris instantiae receptis, constituatur collegium iudicum, designetur vinculi defensor et partes moneantur ut animadversiones, intra terminum praestitutum, proponant; quo termino transacto, si appellatio mere dilatoria evidenter appareat, tribunal collegiale, suo decreto, sententiam prioris instantiae confirmet.

§3. Si appellatio admissa est, eodem modo quo in prima instantia, congrua congruis referendo, procedendum est.

§4. Si in gradu appellationis novum nullitatis matrimonii caput afferatur, tribunal potest, tamquam in prima instantia, illud admittere et de eo iudicare.

Canon 1681. If a sentence has become effective, one can go at any time to a tribunal of the third level for a new proposition of the case according to the norm of can. 1644, provided new and grave proofs or arguments are brought forward within the peremptory time limit of thirty days from the proposed challenge.

Si sententia exsecutiva prolata sit, potest quovis tempore ad tribunal tertii gradus pro nova causae propositione ad normam can. 1644 provocari, novis iisque gravibus probationibus vel argumentis intra peremptorium terminum triginta dierum a proposita impugnatione allatis.

Canon 1682. §1 After the sentence declaring the nullity of the marriage has become effective, the parties whose marriage has been declared null can contract a new marriage unless a prohibition attached to the sentence itself or established by the local ordinary forbids this.

§2 As soon as the sentence becomes effective, the judicial vicar must notify the local ordinary of the place in which the marriage took place. The local ordinary must take care that the declaration of the nullity of the marriage and any possible prohibitions are noted as soon as possible in the marriage and baptismal registers.

§1. Postquam sententia, quae matrimonii nullitatem declaraverit, facta est exsecutiva, partes quarum matrimonium declaratum est nullum, possunt novas nuptias contrahere, nisi vetito ipsi sententiae apposito vel ab Ordinario loci statuto id prohibeatur.

§2. Statim ac sententia facta est exsecutiva, Vicarius iudicialis debet eandem notificare Ordinario loci in quo matrimonium celebratum est. Is autem curare debet ut quam primum de decreta nullitate matrimonii et de vetitis forte statutis in matrimoniorum et baptizatorum libris mentio fiat.

Canon 1683. The diocesan bishop himself is competent to judge cases of the nullity of marriage with the briefer process whenever:

1° the petition is proposed by both spouses or by one of them, with the consent of the other;

2° circumstance of things and persons recur, with substantiating testimonies and records, which do not demand a more accurate inquiry or investigation, and which render the nullity manifest.

Ipsi Episcopo dioecesano competit iudicare causas de matrimonii nullitate processu breviore quoties:

1° petitio ab utroque coniuge vel ab alterutro, altero consentiente, proponatur;

2° recurrant rerum personarumque adiuncta, testimoniis vel instrumentis suffulta, quae accuratiorem disquisitionem aut investigationem non exigant, et nullitatem manifestam reddant.

Canon 1684. The libellus introducing the briefer process, in addition to those things enumerated in can. 1504, must: 1° set forth briefly, fully, and clearly the facts on which the petition is based; 2° indicate the proofs, which can be immediately collected by the judge; 3° exhibit the documents, in an attachment, upon which the petition is based.

Libellus quo processus brevior introducitur, praeter ea quae in can. 1504 recensentur, debet:

1° facta quibus petitio innititur breviter, integre et perspicue exponere;

2° probationes, quae statim a iudice colligi possint, indicare;

3° documenta quibus petitio innititur in adnexo exhibere.

Canon 1685. The judicial vicar, by the same decree which determines the formula of the doubt, having named an instructor and an assessor, cites all who must take part to a session, which in turn must be held within thirty days according to can. 1686.

Vicarius iudicialis, eodem decreto quo dubii formulam determinat, instructore et assessore nominatis, ad sessionem non ultra triginta dies iuxta can. 1686 celebrandam omnes citet qui in ea interesse debent.

Canon 1686. The instructor, insofar as possible, collects the proofs in a single session and establishes a time limit of fifteen days to present the observations in favor of the bond and the defense briefs of the parties, if there are any.

Instructor una sessione, quatenus fieri possit, probationes colligat et terminum quindecim dierum statuat ad animadversiones pro vinculo et defensiones pro partibus, si quae habeantur, exhibendas.

Canon 1687. §1 After he has received the acts, the diocesan bishop, having consulted with the instructor and the assessor, and having considered the observations of the defender of the bond and, if there are any, the defense briefs of the parties, is to issue the sentence if moral certitude about the nullity of marriage is reached. Otherwise, he refers the case to the ordinary method.

§2 The full text of the sentence, with the reasons expressed, is to be communicated to the parties as swiftly as possible.

§3 An appeal against the sentence of the bishop is made to the metropolitan or to the
Roman Rota; if, however, the sentence was rendered by the metropolitan, the appeal is made to the senior suffragan; if against the sentence of another bishop who does not have a superior authority below the Roman Pontiff, appeal is made to the bishop selected by him in a stable manner.

§4 If the appeal clearly appears merely dilatory, the metropolitan or the bishop mentioned in §3, or the dean of the Roman Rota, is to reject it by his decree at the outset; if the appeal is admitted, however, the case is remitted to the ordinary method at the second level.

§1. Actis receptis, Episcopus dioecesanus, collatis consiliis cum instructore et assessore, perpensisque animadversionibus defensoris vinculi et, si quae habeantur, defensionibus partium, si moralem certitudinem de matrimonii nullitate adipiscitur, sententiam ferat. Secus causam ad ordinarium tramitem remittat.

§2. Integer sententiae textus, motivis expressis, quam citius partibus notificetur.

§3. Adversus sententiam Episcopi appellatio datur ad Metropolitam vel ad Rotam Romanam; si autem sententia ab ipso Metropolita lata sit, appellatio datur ad antiquiorem suffraganeum; et adversus sententiam alius Episcopi qui auctoritatem superiorem infra Romanum Pontificem non habet, appellatio datur ad Episcopum ab eodem stabiliter selectum.

§4. Si appellatio mere dilatoria evidenter appareat, Metropolita vel Episcopus de quo in §3, vel Decanus Rotae Romanae, eam a limine decreto suo reiciat; si autem admissa fuerit, causa ad ordinarium tramitem in altero gradu remittatur.

Canon 1688. After receiving a petition proposed according to the norm of can. 1677, the diocesan bishop or the judicial vicar or a judge designated by him can declare the nullity of a marriage by sentence if a document subject to no contradiction or exception clearly establishes the existence of a diriment impediment or a defect of legitimate form, provided that it is equally certain that no dispensation was given, or establishes the lack of a valid mandate of a proxy. In these cases, the formalities of the ordinary process are omitted except for the citation of the parties and the intervention of the defender of the bond.
[NB see Authentic Interpretation of the former canon 1686 (pre-Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus), 11.VII.1984]

Recepta petitione ad normam can. 1676 proposita, Episcopus dioecesanus vel Vicarius iudicialis vel Iudex designatus potest, praetermissis sollemnitatibus ordinarii processus sed citatis partibus et cum interventu defensoris vinculi, matrimonii nullitatem sententia declarare, si ex documento, quod nulli contradictioni vel exceptioni sit obnoxium, certo constet de exsistentia impedimenti dirimentis vel de defectu legitimae formae, dummodo pari certitudine pateat dispensationem datam non esse, aut de defectu validi mandati procuratoris.

Canon 1689. §1 If the defender of the bond prudently thinks that either the flaws mentioned in can. 1688 or the lack of a dispensation are not certain, the defender of the bond must appeal against the declaration of nullity to the judge of second instance; the acts must be sent to the appellate judge who must be advised in writing that a documentary process is involved.

§2 The party who considers himself or herself aggrieved retains the right of appeal.

§1. Adversus hanc declarationem defensor vinculi, si prudenter existimaverit vel vitia de quibus in can. 1688 vel dispensationis defectum non esse certa, appellare debet ad iudicem secundae instantiae, ad quem acta sunt transmittenda quique scripto monendus est agi de processu documentali.

§2. Integrum manet parti, quae se gravatam putet, ius appellandi.

Canon 1690. The judge of second instance, with the intervention of the defender of the bond and after having heard the parties, will decide in the same manner as that mentioned in can. 1688 whether the sentence must be confirmed or whether the case must rather proceed according to the ordinary method of law; in the latter event the judge remands the case to the tribunal of first instance.

Iudex alterius instantiae, cum interventu defensoris vinculi et auditis partibus, decernet eodem modo, de quo in can. 1688, utrum sententia sit confirmanda, an potius procedendum in causa sit iuxta ordinarium tramitem iuris; quo in casu eam remittit ad tribunal primae instantiae.

Canon 1691. §1 In the sentence the parties are to be reminded of the moral and even civil obligations binding them toward one another and toward their children to furnish support and education.

§2 Cases for the declaration of the nullity of a marriage cannot be treated in the oral contentious process mentioned in can. 1656-1670.

§3. In other procedural matters, the canons on trials in general and on the ordinary contentious trial must be applied unless the nature of the matter precludes it; the special norms for cases concerning the status of persons and cases pertaining to the public good are to be observed.
[revised wording of cc. 1671-1691 according to m.p. Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus,
.VIII.2015]

§1. In sententia partes moneantur de obligationibus moralibus vel etiam civilibus, quibus forte teneantur, altera erga alteram et erga prolem, ad sustentationem et educationem praestandam.

§2. Causae ad matrimonii nullitatem declarandam, processu contentioso orali, de quo in can. 1656-1670, tractari nequeunt.

§3. In ceteris quae ad rationem procedendi attinent, applicandi sunt, nisi rei natura obstet, canones de iudiciis in genere et de iudicio contentioso ordinario, servatis specialibus normis circa causas de statu personarum et causas ad bonum publicum spectantes.

Canon 1692. §1 Unless lawfully provided otherwise in particular places, the personal separation of baptised spouses can be decided by a decree of the diocesan Bishop, or by the judgement of a judge in accordance with the following canons.

§2 Where the ecclesiastical decision does not produce civil effects, or if it is foreseen that there will be a civil judgement not contrary to the divine law, the Bishop of the diocese in which the spouses are living can, in the light of their particular circumstances, give them permission to approach the civil courts.

§3 If the case is also concerned with the merely civil effects of marriage, the judge is to endeavour, without prejudice to the provision of §2, to have the case brought before the civil court from the very beginning.

§1. Separatio personalis coniugum baptizatorum, nisi aliter pro locis particularibus legitime provisum sit, decerni potest Episcopi dioecesani decreto vel iudicis sententia ad normam canonum qui sequuntur.

§2. Ubi decisio ecclesiastica effectus civiles non sortitur, vel si sententia civilis praevidetur non contraria iuri divino, Episcopus dioecesis commorationis coniugum poterit, perpensis peculiaribus adiunctis, licentiam concedere adeundi forum civile.

§3. Si causa versetur etiam circa effectus mere civiles matrimonii, satagat iudex ut, servato praescripto §2, causa inde ab initio ad forum civile deferatur.

Canon 1693. §1 The oral contentious process is to be used, unless either party or the promotor of justice requests the ordinary contentious process.

§2 If the ordinary contentious process is used and there is an appeal, the tribunal of second instance is to proceed in accordance with can. 1682 §2, observing what has to be observed.

§1. Nisi qua pars vel promotor iustitiae processum contentiosum ordinarium petant, processus contentiosus oralis adhibeatur.

§2. Si processus contentiosus ordinarius adhibitus sit et appellatio proponatur, tribunal secundi gradus ad normam can. 1682, §2 procedat, servatis servandis.

Canon 1694. In matters concerning the competence of the tribunal, the provisions of can. 1673 are to be observed.

Quod attinet ad tribunalis competentiam, serventur praescripta can. 1673.

Canon 1695. Before he accepts the case, and whenever there appears to be hope of success, the judge is to use pastoral means to induce the parties to be reconciled and to resume their conjugal life.

Iudex, antequam causam acceptet et quotiescumque spem boni exitus perspicit, pastoralia media adhibeat, ut coniuges concilientur et ad coniugalem convictum restaurandum inducantur.

Canon 1696. Cases of separation of spouses also concern the public good; the promotor of justice must, therefore, always intervene, in accordance with can. 1433.

Causae de coniugum separatione ad publicum quoque bonum spectant; ideoque iis interesse semper debet promotor iustitiae, ad normam can. 1433.

Canon 1697. The parties alone, or indeed one of them even if the other is unwilling, have the right to seek the favour of a dispensation from a ratified and non-consummated marriage.

Soli coniuges, vel alteruter, quamvis altero invito, ius habent petendi gratiam dispensationis super matrimonio rato et non consummato.

Canon 1698. §1 Only the Apostolic See gives judgement on the fact of the non-consummation of a marriage and on the existence of a just reason for granting the dispensation.

§2 The dispensation, however, is given by the Roman Pontiff alone.

§1. Una Sedes Apostolica cognoscit de facto inconsummationis matrimonii et de exsistentia iustae causae ad dispensationem concedendam.

§2. Dispensatio vero ab uno Romano Pontifice conceditur.

Canon 1699. §1 The diocesan Bishop of the place of domicile or quasidomicile of the petitioner is competent to accept the petition seeking the dispensation. If the request is well founded, he must arrange for the instruction of the process.

§2 If, however, the proposed case has special difficulties of a juridical or moral order, the diocesan Bishop is to consult the Apostolic See.

§3 Recourse to the Apostolic See is available against the decree of a Bishop who rejects the petition.

§1. Competens ad accipiendum libellum, quo petitur dispensatio, est Episcopus dioecesanus domicilii vel quasi-domicilii oratoris, qui, si constiterit de fundamento precum, processus instructionem disponere debet.

§2. Si tamen casus propositus speciales habeat difficultates ordinis iuridici vel moralis, Episcopus dioecesanus consulat Sedem Apostolicam.

§3. Adversus decretum quo Episcopus libellum reicit, patet recursus ad Sedem Apostolicam.

Canon 1700. §1 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 1681, the Bishop is to assign the instruction of these processes, in a stable manner or case by case, to his own tribunal or to that of another diocese, or to a suitable priest.

§2 If, however, a judicial plea has been introduced to declare the nullity of the same marriage, the instruction of the process is to be assigned to the same tribunal.

§1. Firmo praescripto can. 1681, horum processuum instructionem committat Episcopus, stabiliter vel in singulis casibus, tribunali suae vel alienae dioecesis aut idoneo sacerdoti.

§2. Quod si introducta sit petitio iudicialis ad declarandam nullitatem eiusdem matrimonii, instructio ad idem tribunal committatur.

Canon 1701. §1 In these processes the defender of the bond must always intervene.

§2 An advocate is not admitted, but the Bishop can, because of the difficulty of a case, allow the petitioner or respondent to have the assistance of an expert in the law.

§1. In his processibus semper intervenire debet vinculi defensor.

§2. Patronus non admittitur, sed, propter casus difficultatem, Episcopus permittere potest ut iurisperiti opera orator vel pars conventa iuvetur.

Canon 1702. In the instruction of the process both parties are to be heard. As far as possible, and provided they can be reconciled with the nature of these processes, the canons concerning the collection of evidence in the ordinary contentious process and in cases of nullity of marriage are to be followed.

In instructione uterque coniux audiatur et serventur, quatenus fieri possit, canones de probationibus colligendis in iudicio contentioso ordinario et in causis de matrimonii nullitate, dummodo cum horum processuum indole componi queant.

Canon 1703. §1 There is no publication of the acts, but if the judge sees that, because of the evidence tendered, a serious obstacle stands in the way of the plea of the petitioner or the exception of the respondent, he can prudently make it known to the party concerned.

§2 To the party requesting it the judge can show a document which has been presented or evidence which has been received, and he can set a time for the production of arguments.

§1. Non fit publicatio actorum; iudex tamen, si conspiciat petitioni partis oratricis vel exceptioni partis conventae grave obstaculum obvenire ob adductas probationes, id parti cuius interest prudenter patefaciat.

§2. Parti instanti documentum allatum vel testimonium receptum iudex ostendere poterit et tempus praefinire ad deductiones exhibendas.

Canon 1704. §1 When the instruction is completed, the judge instructor is to give all the acts, together with a suitable report, to the Bishop. The Bishop is to express his
Opinion on the merits of the case in relation to the alleged fact of non-consummation, the adequacy of the reason for dispensation, and the opportuneness of the favour.

§2 If the instruction of the process has been entrusted to another tribunal in accordance with can. 1700, the observations in favour of the bond of marriage are to be prepared in that same tribunal. The Opinion spoken of in §1 is, however, the province of the Bishop who gave the commission and the judge instructor is to give him, together with the acts, a suitable report on the case.

§1. Instructor, peracta instructione, omnia acta cum apta relatione deferat ad Episcopum, qui votum pro rei veritate promat tum super facto inconsummationis tum super iusta causa ad dispensandum et gratiae opportunitate.

§2. Si instructio processus commissa sit alieno tribunali ad normam can. 1700, animadversiones pro vinculo in eodem foro conficiantur, sed votum de quo in §1 spectat ad Episcopum committentem, cui instructor simul cum actis aptam relationem tradat.

Canon 1705. §1 The Bishop is to transmit all the acts to the Apostolic See together with his Opinion and the observations of the defender of the bond.

§2 If, in the judgement of the Apostolic See, a supplementary instruction is required, this will be notified to the Bishop, with a statement of the items on which the acts are to be supplemented.

§3 If, however, the answer of the Apostolic See is that the non-consummation is not proven from the evidence produced, then the expert in law mentioned in can. 1701
§2 can inspect the acts of the case, though not the Opinion of the Bishop, in the tribunal office, in order to decide whether anything further of importance can be brought forward to justify another submission of the petition.

§1. Acta omnia Episcopus una cum suo voto et animadversionibus defensoris vinculi transmittat ad Sedem Apostolicam.

§2. Si, iudicio Apostolicae Sedis, requiratur supplementum instructionis, id Episcopo significabitur, indicatis elementis circa quae instructio complenda est.

§3. Quod si Apostolica Sedes rescripserit ex deductis non constare de inconsummatione, tunc iurisperitus de quo in can. 1701, §2 potest acta processus, non vero votum Episcopi, invisere in sede tribunalis ad perpendendum num quid grave adduci possit ad petitionem denuo proponendam.

Canon 1706. The rescript of dispensation is sent by the Apostolic See to the Bishop. He is to notify the parties of the rescript, and also as soon as possible direct the parish priests of the place where the marriage was contracted and of the place where baptism was received, to make a note of the granting of the dispensation in the registers of marriage and baptism.

Rescriptum dispensationis a Sede Apostolica transmittitur ad Episcopum; is vero rescriptum partibus notificabit et praeterea parocho tum loci contracti matrimonii tum suscepti baptismi quam primum mandabit, ut in libris matrimoniorum et baptizatorum de concessa dispensatione mentio fiat.

Canon 1707. §1 Whenever the death of a spouse cannot be proven by an authentic ecclesiastical or civil document, the other spouse is not regarded as free from the bond of marriage until the diocesan Bishop has issued a declaration that death is presumed.

§2 The diocesan Bishop can give the declaration mentioned in §1 only if, after making suitable investigations, he has reached moral certainty concerning the death of the spouse from the depositions of witnesses, from hearsay and from other indications. The mere absence of the spouse, no matter for how long a period, is not sufficient.

§3 In uncertain and involved cases, the Bishop is to consult the Apostolic See.

§1. Quoties coniugis mors authentico documento ecclesiastico vel civili comprobari nequit, alter coniux a vinculo matrimonii solutus non habeatur, nisi post declarationem de morte praesumpta ab Episcopo dioecesano prolatam.

§2. Declarationem, de qua in §1, Episcopus dioecesanus tantummodo proferre valet si, peractis opportunis investigationibus, ex testium depositionibus, ex fama aut ex indiciis moralem certitudinem de coniugis obitu obtinuerit. Sola coniugis absentia, quamvis diuturna, non sufficit.

§3. In casibus incertis et implexis Episcopus Sedem Apostolicam consulat.

Canon 1708. The right to impugn the validity of sacred ordination is held by the cleric himself, or by the Ordinary to whom the cleric is subject, or by the Ordinary in whose diocese he was ordained.

Validitatem sacrae ordinationis ius habent accusandi sive ipse clericus sive Ordinarius, cui clericus subest vel in cuius dioecesi ordinatus est.

Canon 1709. §1 The petition must be sent to the competent Congregation, which will decide whether the case is to be determined by the Congregation of the Roman Curia, or by a tribunal designated by it.

§2 Once the petition has been sent, the cleric is by the law itself forbidden to exercise orders.

§1. Libellus mitti debet ad competentem Congregationem, quae decernet utrum causa ab ipsa Curiae Romanae Congregatione an a tribunali ab ea designato sit agenda.

§2. Misso libello, clericus ordines exercere ipso iure vetatur.

Canon 1710. If the Congregation remits the case to a tribunal, the canons concerning trials in general and the ordinary contentious trial are to be observed, unless the nature of the matter requires otherwise and without prejudice to the provisions of this title.

Si Congregatio causam ad tribunal remiserit, serventur, nisi rei natura obstet, canones de iudiciis in genere et de iudicio contentioso ordinario, salvis praescriptis huius tituli.

Canon 1711. In these cases the defender of the bond has the same rights and is bound by the same duties as the defender of the bond of marriage.

In his causis defensor vinculi iisdem gaudet iuribus iisdemque tenetur officiis, quibus defensor vinculi matrimonialis.

Canon 1712. After a second judgement confirming the nullity of the sacred ordination, the cleric loses all rights proper to the clerical state and is freed from all its obligations.

Post secundam sententiam, quae nullitatem sacrae ordinationis confirmavit, clericus omnia iura statui clericali propria amittit et ab omnibus obligationibus liberatur.

Canon 1713. In order to avoid judicial disputes, agreement or reconciliation can profitably be adopted, or the controversy can be submitted to the judgement of one or more arbiters.

Ad evitandas iudiciales contentiones transactio seu reconciliatio utiliter adhibetur, aut controversia iudicio unius vel plurium arbitrorum committi potest.

Canon 1714. The norms for agreements, for mutual promises to abide by an arbiter’s award, and for arbitral judgements are to be selected by the parties. If the parties have not chosen any, they are to use the law established by the Episcopal Conference, if such exists, or the civil law in force in the place where the pact is made.

De transactione, de compromisso, deque iudicio arbitrali serventur normae a partibus selectae vel, si partes nullas selegerint, lex ab Episcoporum conferentia lata, si qua sit, vel lex civilis vigens in loco ubi conventio initur.

Canon 1715. §1 Agreements and mutual promises to abide by an arbiter’s award cannot validly be employed in matters which pertain to the public good, and in other matters in which the parties are not free to make such arrangements.

§2 Whenever the matter concerned demands it, in questions concerning temporal ecclesiastical goods the formalities established by the law for the alienation of ecclesiastical goods are to be observed.

§1. Nequit transactio aut compromissum valide fieri circa ea quae ad bonum publicum pertinent, aliaque de quibus libere disponere partes non possunt.

§2. Si agitur de bonis ecclesiasticis temporalibus, serventur, quoties materia id postulat, sollemnitates iure statutae pro rerum ecclesiasticarum alienatione.

Canon 1716. §1 If the civil law does not recognise the force of an arbitral judgement unless it is confirmed by a judge, an arbitral judgement in an ecclesiastical controversy has no force in the canonical forum unless it is confirmed by an ecclesiastical judge of the place in which it was given.

§2 If, however, the civil law admits of a challenge to an arbitral judgement before a civil judge, the same challenge may be brought in the canonical forum before an ecclesiastical judge who is competent to judge the controversy at first instance.

§1. Si lex civilis arbitrali sententiae vim non agnoscat, nisi a iudice confirmetur, sententia arbitralis de controversia ecclesiastica, ut vim habeat in foro canonico, confirmatione indiget iudicis ecclesiastici loci, in quo lata est.

§2. Si autem lex civilis admittat sententiae arbitralis coram civili iudice impugnationem, in foro canonico eadem impugnatio proponi potest coram iudice ecclesiastico, qui in primo gradu competens est ad controversiam iudicandam.