General Synod

Since 1970, the General Synod has been the national assembly of the Church of England, taking over almost all of the functions that were previously the responsibility of the Convocations of Canterbury and York. It replaced the earlier Church Assembly, which had exercised the Church's legislative powers since 1919.

The 478 voting members of General Synod are arranged into three Houses: the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy, and the House of Laity, alongside a small number of non-voting representatives. The most significant business — including changes to doctrine and worship — requires a two-thirds majority in each of the three Houses separately, giving the House of Laity, drawn from ordinary lay members of every diocese, an effective veto alongside the clergy and bishops.

General Synod's central power is legislative. Measures are made by the General Synod. If approved by both Houses of Parliament they receive the Royal Assent and become part of the law of the land, having the same force and effect as Acts of Parliament. They are a form of primary legislation. Synod also makes Canons (a more limited form of primary legislation governing matters such as ordination and forms of service) and secondary legislation such as Rules, Regulations and Orders made under the authority of a Measure.