2. Rights and Obligations of the Parties in the Process

All parties to a marriage nullity trial have certain rights and obligations based on the laws of the Catholic Church. It is important to keep these in mind as the case proceeds.

The most fundamental of rights is the right to a proper defense of your position. This is why you agree to an advocate to assist you: so that you will know what is happening in your trial and be able to respond accordingly. If you feel that you are not receiving proper assistance, please notify the Tribunal immediately.

The right to defense includes several important steps in a marriage nullity trial. The first is the right to know for what reasons the marriage is supposedly invalid. Parties also have the right to submit testimony, present witnesses, and review the evidence collected. Finally, all parties also have a right to review the final decision and to challenge it if they so desire.

There are also obligations that bind the parties. All parties are expected to participate in the process. All the same, if a respondent chooses not to participate, the case will move forward.