The meeting took place in a church called the ecclesia Justinianensis, under the presidency of Bishop Hilary of Arles.
Thirty canons (or 'regulations') were agreed upon and subscribed to, dealing with extreme unction, the Permission of penance, the right of sanctuary; recommending caution to bishops in the ordination of foreign clergy, the consecration of churches outside of their own jurisdictions; imposing limitations on the administration of ecclesiastical rites to those who were in any way defective, either in body or mind; and emphasizing the duty of celibacy for those belonging to the clerical state, especially deacons and widows, with specific reference to canon viii.
Canon XXVI requires that married men must not be ordained deacons until they have sworn chastity.
Canon XXVII requires that if an ordained deacon should have sex with his wife, then he should be deposed.
The canons of the first council are often cited in the modern debates over the ordination of women to the priesthood.