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Edward N. Peters, JD, JCD

Consultations and Advocacy

in Canon and Common Law

Given my primary academic responsibilities and on-going commitments to several special projects, I have only a limited amount of time available for independent canonical consultation and/or advocacy. But, even though I must decline many more requests for professional services than I can accept, I do try to consider all requests sent to me. The following points might help one decide whether, and if so how, to present a request for my canonical services.

Broadly, my licentiate and doctoral degrees in canon law, my doctoral degree in the common law, more than ten years' experience in diocesan work (equally divided between chancery-administration and tribunal matters), followed by many years of graduate teaching, research, and writing, qualify me to work in almost any area of canonistics.

Dr. Edward Peters

Curriculum vitae

That said, I generally decline cases involving substantial questions on the "particular" law of religious institutes or those requiring advanced knowledge of Eastern canon law, as I believe that familiarity with those respective ways of life (which I do not have) is important for effective consultation and/or advocacy therein. Also, because there are many well-qualified canonists available to serve in tribunals, I tend to decline matrimonial cases except when they involve unusual facts or legal issues. Finally, I regularly work with civil attorneys seeking expertise in canon law, but I no longer maintain an active license to practice civil law.

The best way to contact me regarding possible professional services is by email through this website. Phone calls are the least effective way to reach me. If I think a request for assistance can be satisfied by a brief answer on a routine point of canon law, I will try to reply (gratis, of course) within a convenient time, but I make no claim of completeness in the answer nor do I promise replies to possible follow-up questions. Persons should not, in any event, send me unsolicited long or complex complex inquiries as I cannot take time to read them. If I need additional information to be of assistance, I will ask for it later.

Specific advocacy work (matters wherein I serve as "procurator-advocate" for a client) requires a client's signed mandate (c. 1484) and episcopal approval for such service (c. 1483). I handle that approval process myself, but I caution people against thinking that canon lawyers can serve anywhere anytime upon mere request. Also, if a given case requires advocacy before the certain dicasteries of the Holy See, I will help a client locate an advocate authorized for practice before such offices.

Whether a given client is served by a formal canonical consultation, advocacy work, and/or some other form of service, my professional engagement will always be confirmed in writing and will include a fee arrangement agreed upon in advance. I am well aware that many canonical issues, especially advocacy matters, involve little or no material benefit to clients. That does not mean that the time spent working on them is not valuable or that expenses will not be incurred along the way. I am not in a position to donate professional services (beyond a list of pro bono undertakings that is already overbooked!) or to subsidize the expenses of cases.

Persons seeking canonical assistance, especially in marriage cases, should be aware that Canon 1490 requires arch/diocesan tribunals to maintain lists of local procurator-advocates, and might want to request referrals from, e.g., The Canon Law Society of America (Washington DC) or to approach, e.g., The St. Joseph Foundation (San Antonio TX) for services.