Provincial Court of Appeals
Staff
Very Reverend Paul J. Hachey, SM, JCL, Judicial Vicar
Marguerite Fortino, Administrative Assistant, Notary
Mission of the Court of Appeals
The Provincial Court of Appeals reviews all affirmative decisions of nullity from First Instance Courts in the Province of Atlanta. A panel of three judges reviews these affirmative decisions for procedural and substantive accuracy.
The 1983 revision of the Code of Canon Law established this mandatory review of First Instance decisions.
If one of the parties to a marriage case disagrees with the decision of the First Instance Court, whether affirmative or negative, the party may appeal the decision to the Provincial Court of Appeals. After the Court of Appeals gathers additional testimony from the parties, witnesses, expert witnesses, advocates, and the Defender of the Bond, the collegiate judges render a judgment on the case. If the decision counters that of the First Instance Court, the appealing party may further appeal the case to the Roman Rota. If the decision is in agreement with that of the First Instance Court, no further appeals are required.