To clarify, are you saying I shouldn't use Exceptions within local code? If this is the case I'll change it.

If however you are wondering why I am throwing an Exception versus a more specific Exception in the method code, then I 'm back to my previous question ... to clarify, what I meant was, "in case scopes aren't specified in the manifest, what would be a suitable exception to use? I used Exception here as I am unsure what particular type to use"
Ideally If I can find what type of Exception to use, (I was thinking it may be a ParseException, Is this ok?), I can narrow down the Exceptions reported by the method signature

Please let me know.