The Church has a right to judge cases which refer to spiritual matters or which are linked with spiritual matters, or where a violation of ecclesiastical law has occurred. These are settled through trials at various levels of ecclesiastical courts. Church courts are called “tribunals,” and all tribunals are governed by the same ecclesiastical laws (1983 Code of Canon Law, canons 1400-1402). Usually, every Catholic diocese has a tribunal which is staffed by laity and clergy versed in ecclesiastical law.