The Metropolitan Tribunal is the ecclesiastical court of the Archdiocese of Miami. It handles issues relating to marriage: declaration of marriage nullity (commonly called annulment), dispensations, granting delegation on behalf of the Archbishop, as well as providing advocates to assist those going through the annulment process. It also deals with other matters of church administration, sacramental life of the church, and discipline, line with the provisions of the Code of Canon Law.
The Tribunal can issue decisions on a wide range of other matters, such as canonical crimes or disputes about canonical rights. Since the tribunal's staff is trained in canon law, they also assist more broadly with canonical affairs within the Archdiocese, providing information and guidelines on questions of canon law brought to them by priests, parish staff, or other members of the faithful.
The Archbishop is the chief judge of the Archdiocese and exercises this function in a stable manner through the Judicial Vicar. The Judicial Vicar is the Presiding Judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal and is assisted in case management and judicial processes by other judges, advocates, notaries, and other professionals of the court.
