Appeals to the General Court of Appeals may be made by the accused or the Board of Discipline from decisions of a Regional Court of Appeals. Such appeals shall be by the same rules and procedures as other appeals to the General Court of Appeals.
Section: Judicial Administration
608
The General Court of Appeals shall adopt uniform Rules of Procedure governing all proceedings before boards of discipline and courts of appeal. After such rules are adopted and published, they shall be the final authority in all judicial proceedings. Printed Rules of Procedure shall be supplied by the general secretary. Changes or amendments to such rules may be adopted by the General Court of Appeals at any time, and when these are adopted and published, they shall be effective and authoritative in all cases. Any steps that are thereafter taken in any proceeding shall be in accordance with such change or amendment. (605.1)
609
Each organized district shall have a District Court of Appeals composed of two laypersons and three assigned ordained ministers, including the district superintendent, elected by the district assembly according to 203.22. This court shall hear appeals of church members concerning any action of local boards of discipline. Notice of appeal must be given in writing within 30 days after such action or after appellant has knowledge thereof. Such notice shall be delivered to the District Court of Appeals or a member thereof, and a copy of such notice shall be delivered to the pastor of the local church and to the secretary of the church board concerned. (203.22)
609.1
The District Court of Appeals shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide all appeals of laypersons or churches from the action of a Board of Discipline appointed to discipline a layperson.
610
The General Assembly shall elect five assigned ordained ministers to serve as members of the General Court of Appeals during each ensuing quadrennium, or until their successors are elected and qualified. This court shall have jurisdiction as follows:
610.1
To hear and determine all appeals from the action or decision of any District Board of Discipline or Regional Court of Appeals. When such appeals are so determined by said court, such determination shall be authoritative and final. (305.7)
611
Vacancies that may exist in the General Court of Appeals during the interim between sessions of the General Assembly shall be filled by appointment of the Board of General Superintendents. (317.6)
612
Per diem and expense allowances for members of the General Court of Appeals shall be the same as that of members of the General Board of the church, when the members of the court are engaged in official business of the court, and payment therefor shall be made by the general treasurer.
613
The general secretary shall be custodian of all permanent records and decisions of the General Court of Appeals. (326.4)
614
There shall be a Regional Court of Appeals for each region. Each Regional Court of Appeals shall consist of five or more assigned ordained ministers elected by the Board of General Superintendents following each General Assembly. Vacancies shall be filled by the Board of General Superintendents. The Rules of Procedure shall be the same for the Regional Courts of Appeals as for the General Court of Appeals, in both the church Manual and the Judicial Manual. A quorum of five shall be required for appeals referred to the court.