To determine whether the Parochial Church Council was performing a public function in Aston Cantlow, the House of Lords stressed the importance of considering the nature of the particular act being carried out by the body in question. In the instant case, the PCC was trying to enforce an obligation to repair against the lay rectors. Their Lordships decided that this was not a public function. Lord Hope stated: 'The function which it is performing has nothing to do with the responsibilities which are owed to the public by the State'.