Erection
The Syro Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Ordinary Tribunal of Ernakulam-Angamaly was erected on September 1, 1994 by the Pontifical Delegate, late Archbishop Mar Abraham Kattumana as per CCEO (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches) canon 1063. The Ordinary Tribunal is the apex tribunal for all the affairs in the Syro Malabar Church within its proper territory except in those cases in which bishops are a party, without prejudice to the right of the Christian faithful to have recourse to the Roman Pontiff as per provision of CCEO canon 1059. It is similar to the Roman Rota or Spanish Rota. The Syro Malabar Ordinary Tribunal started functioning on November 24, 1994.

The Statutes
The statutes of the Ordinary Tribunal were promulgated on January 1, 1995 by late Archbishop Abraham Kattumana . The statutes were definitively promulgated on August 1, 2000 by Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil C.Ss.R .

Tribunal Personnel
The Ordinary Tribunal has at present twelve judges including the President and the two Vice-Presidents, namely, Rev. Dr. Mathew Kochupurackal, Rev. Dr. Jose Chiramel and Rev. Dr. Joseph Varanath respectively. There are two defenders of bond who also function as substitute promoters of Justice in the Major Archiepiscopal Tribunal. Besides, there are two notaries. There are also thirteen advocates accredited to the Major Archiepiscopal Tribunal. Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil was one of the Advocates of the Major Archiepiscopal Tribunal until his nomination as Major Archbishop. All the judges and defenders of bond of the Major Archiepiscopal Ordinary Tribunal have the degree of doctorate in Canon Law. Most of the tribunal members have other important ecclesiastical offices.