The parson's freehold is a type of benefice; originally also it established income from and tenancy of certain properties in recompense for the priest's exercise of ecclesiastical offices.
These principles were retained in the Church of England and were codified so that such a position was vacated only on Plural occupancy was gradually restricted due to abuses by non-resident officeholders delegating priestly duties to assistants.
Increasingly rectors and vicars are not appointed, the right under which the patron makes a presentation of the living to his chosen candidate being suspended under section 67 of the pastoral measure 1983, and perhaps 3,500 clergy are consequently merely licensed by the bishop as priests-in-charge; although 5,500 rectors and vicars continue to enjoy freehold, but all are invited to relinquish the freehold and change to "common tenure" (to which all licensed clergy will automatically transfer in 2011).
There is no contract, and no employment in any case: freeholders, licensed clergy, and those under common tenure are in law "office-holders".
However, priests will be entitled to some modest compensation for loss of office, and gain the right of appeal to secular employment tribunals.