The applicant in Rutkauskas v Lithuania [2025] ECHR Application no. 15816/20 was a Jehovah’s Witness and religious minister who was called up for military service under the Law on Conscription. He refused on grounds of religious belief and asked to perform civilian service instead. His request was refused, and the military authorities also decided not to exempt him from initial mandatory military service [1]. Appeals to the domestic courts were unsuccessful.| lawandreligionuk.com
Conscientious objection again The applicant in Rutkauskas v Lithuania [2025] ECHR Application no. 15816/20 was a Jehovah’s Witness and religious minister who was called up for military service under the Law on Conscription. He refused on grounds of religious belief … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
The church at All Saints, Rangemore, is a Grade II* listed building, constructed in stone in the 19th century; the churchyard wall, gate piers and gates are also Grade II listed. The churchyard has a range of memorials, including some … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
On 28 August 2025, the House of Survivors issued a Press Release in relation to the recent data breach by Kennedys Law LLP. This was updated on 3 September with the release of a further statement. On 24 September, Kennedys issued the following statement: Kennedys … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
To the proposers of a scheme, the citation of “health and safety” issues might be viewed as an “objection of last resort” when used as an addendum to other objections or the sole reason against a particular course of action … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
On 23 September, the Church of England issued the following Press Release on the roles of the Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Beverley. Independent Reviewer examines roles of Bishops of Ebbsfleet and Beverley On 23 September, the Church of England issued … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
The House of Lords continues to debate the core aims of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill across two days on Friday 12 and Friday 19 September, the second date being within the House of Lords recess period allocated for Party … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
The Index to L&RUK posts includes links to those which have been identified as the top 10 “most read” posts, based upon statistics generated by WordPress. This post collates the information from the data relating to 365 days, or thereabouts[*], for … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
Assisted Dying – The role of the House of Lords| Law & Religion UK
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On 9 September 2025, the Scottish Episcopal Church issued the following Press Release on the election of bishops. Synod backs changes to Canon on electing bishops September 9, 2025 The General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church met for a … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
The following guest post by Christopher Grozdoski revisits the case on religious discrimination, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Against Scottish Event Campus Ltd [2022] SC GLW 33, in which the BGEA successfully sued a Scottish events provider for cancelling the letting … Continue reading →| Law & Religion UK
We have been made aware of a deeply regrettable data incident involving the independent Redress Scheme administered by Kennedys Law LLP.| Law & Religion UK
In a guest post, David Scrooby looks at a recent constructive dismissal case in South Africa.| lawandreligionuk.com
A crem is a crem is a crem?| Law & Religion UK
In R (Local Faith Ltd) v Registrar General for England & Wales [2025] EWHC 1795 (Admin), the applicant sought leave to judicially review of decision not to register a property in Basildon as a religious building under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855 [1]. The property was owned by Basildon Estates Ltd, which leased it to another company, Room for Faith Ltd, which in turn sublet it to Local Faith Ltd [2].| Law & Religion UK
The House of Bishops has agreed to replace the outdated document Issues in Human Sexuality in the process of discerning new candidates for ordination with a requirement for candidates to live in line with the Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy. The change does not alter the Church’s doctrine or canonical requirements, which remain in place, but is intended to ensure the discernment process is both theologically robust and pastorally sensitive.| Law & Religion UK
A recent story from the North Norfolk News reports that hundreds of human remains in the grounds of St Mary the Virgin church in Happisburgh [pronounced “Hazebrur”], north Norfolk, are at risk as the churchyard is now ~80 metres from the sea, and could be lost completely within 20 years.| Law & Religion UK
In the recently-circulated case Re St. Nicholas Radford [2025] ECC Cov 1, Samuel Ch. observed [at 29] that:| Law & Religion UK
(* a.k.a. “three-parent IVF”)| Law & Religion UK
On 14 July 2025, The Times reported that Matthew Drapper, a gay man now aged 37, had won a five-figure settlement from St Thomas Philadelphia, a joint Anglican-Baptist congregation in Sheffield, after being subjected to what he considered to be an “exorcism” that sought to “rid him of his homosexual inclinations”. The case is believed to be the first time compensation has been paid to someone who experienced the practice of conversion therapy, which the government intends to outlaw[*].| Law & Religion UK
On 15 July 2025, General Synod considered the Private Members Motion from the Revd Mae Christie (Southwark) Vocations process and issues in human sexuality, GS 2413A and GS 2413B; Synod overwhelmingly approved a call for candidates for ordination no longer to be required to agree to this 34-year-old document on sexuality. Extracts from the Press Release are reproduced below.| Law & Religion UK
Further to the Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report and subsequent statement, on 23 June 2025 the Church in Wales has issued the Press Release Statement on Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report implementation. This notes that the two groups inaugurated in response to Visitation Report and the safeguarding audit by thirtyone:eight have commenced.| Law & Religion UK
On 3 May 2025, the Church in Wales issued a Press Release on the Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report in advance of the address by Archbishop John to the cathedral congregation the following morning. The Press Release and associated material were covered in our post here. The Cathedral Chapter met on 12 May to agree the terms of reference of the Implementation Group identified in the Report. These together with the terms of reference for the Oversight Board are now available on the Bangor Cath...| Law & Religion UK
On 3 May 2025[*], the Church in Wales issued a Press Release on the Bangor Cathedral Visitation Report; the Press Release, which is reproduced in full below, includes links to:| Law & Religion UK
Further to recent developments relating to Bangor Cathedral[*], the Representative Body of the Church in Wales has issued a Statement comprising the full text of the motion approved by the Representative Body on 24 June 2025. This is reproduced in full below.| Law & Religion UK
Seven lay ministers from dioceses across the Church of England were ordained in May 2025 by a visiting Anglican bishop from South Africa. In this guest post, Andrew Atherstone provides the first report of this event, based on interviews with several of the leading participants.| Law & Religion UK