Bishop Eric Kemp was a canonist when such practice had yet to become fashionable once more. He was instrumental in the formation of the Ecclesiastical Law Society and served as its President from the creation of the Society until his death on the eve of Advent Sunday in 2009. He was a member of this Journal's Editorial Advisory Board from 1987 until 2002. The first issue of this Journal ran to 34 pages. The only substantive article, taking up more than half of its content, was by Eric Kemp. In celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Journal and in recognition of its first President's contribution to its establishment and subsequent flourishing, this article is reproduced, lightly updated and annotated by the current Editor, who was pleased and proud to serve as Bishop Kemp's last chancellor in the Diocese of Chichester.1

This article reviews developments in ecclesiastical case law (interpreted widely) over the 25 years since the Ecclesiastical Law Journal was founded, focusing on four areas, in each of which, in the author's view, there have been significant developments: freedom of religion; the constitution of the Church of England; the protection of listed buildings; liturgy, ritual and doctrine. It notes the role of the Journal in reporting consistory court decisions and thus ensuring greater consistency of decision-making. It concludes by mentioning some of the leading cases in various other areas of ecclesiastical law.

This article reviews the exercise of the legislative function of the General Synod of the Church of England over the last 25 years. Beginning with a summary of the principles of synodical government in the Church of England, it goes on to describe the establishment of the Synod, its composition and its functions. The different forms of legal provision available to the Synod in exercise of its legislative function are then considered, followed by an account of the impact of the Human Rights Act, the procedures applicable to the conduct of legislative business and the role of Parliament in the legislative process. After an assessment of the general pattern of synodical legislation over the last 25 years, the main areas of legislative change during that period are reviewed. The article ends with an assessment of possible areas for future legislative activity.

In recognition of the Silver Jubilee of the Ecclesiastical Law Society and this Journal, the Comment section in this issue is devoted to some personal reminiscences and reflections from two individuals who were very much involved at the time, and who have subsequently made their own distinctive contribution to the Society and the Journal respectively: Bishop Christopher Hill, the current chairman, and Michael Goodman, founder editor of this Journal.

In recognition of the Silver Jubilee of the Ecclesiastical Law Society and this Journal, the Comment section in this issue is devoted to some personal reminiscences and reflections from two individuals who were very much involved at the time, and who have subsequently made their own distinctive contribution to the Society and the Journal respectively: Bishop Christopher Hill, the current chairman, and Michael Goodman, founder editor of this Journal.

The period under review began with a speech by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to the Cinnamon Network, a faith-based charities group, in which he emphasised the Government's continued financial support and commitment to faith groups, while acknowledging with more than a touch of frustration that they can face barriers in terms of securing funding from local authorities:

This report covers both the sessions held in November 2010 (the inaugural group of sessions of the new Synod that came into being following the quinquennial elections in the autumn of 2010) and those held in February and July 2011.

As usual, the General Assembly's debates ranged very widely: from a call by the Church's social care organisation, CrossReach, for visitors' centres to be established in all Scottish prisons to a plea for more ministers to consider a career in military chaplaincy. Several specific items may be of interest to readers of this Journal.

Having met in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin in 2010, in 2011 Synod returned to the less spiritual but rather plusher surroundings of the City Hotel, Armagh. It was comforting to note from the attendance figures that the level of luxury seems to have little effect on the willingness of delegates to attend.

The agenda seemed slight and uncontroversial. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland had been stimulated by the debate on homosexual ministers but nothing in the programme of discussion for Synod seemed likely to spark such feeling and argument. The Anglican Covenant could excite members to threaten schism or lead to a divided Church but it did not look likely.