Howard M. Friedman (LexBlog United Kingdom)

In For Women Scotland Ltd. v. The Scottish Ministers, (UK SC, April 16, 2025), the United Kingdom Supreme Court held that considering the interaction of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 with the Equality Act 2010, the terms “woman”, “man”, and “sex” in the Equality Act refer to biological sex.  The Equality Act gives separate protection...

In a press release issued Wednesday, the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office along with its Minister for Human Rights announced that David Smith, MP, has been appointed as the new UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The press release said in part: As Envoy, David will champion FoRB for all...

Religion Media Center reports that in England, the world’s first Sikh court opened last Saturday. However, unlike Muslim and Jewish religious courts, Sikhism does not have its own legal code.  According to the report: The court [in London] was set up by Sikh lawyers who felt that secular judges lacked the religious and cultural expertise...

In Trustees of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses v. BXB, (UK Sup. Ct., April 26, 2023), Britain’s Supreme Court held that the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization is not vicariously liable for the rape of a church member by an elder of the church.  The court said in part: First, the rape was not committed while Mark...

In Montague v. Governing Body of Heavers Farm Primary School, (UK Cty. Ct., April 24, 2023), a British County Court, in an 89-page opinion, dismissed a suit by Christian parents who objected to a primary school’s activities relating to LGBT equality. The court described the claims: This is a claim for compensation, damages, declarations and...

In Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland – Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Northern Ireland) Bill, (UK SC, Dec. 7, 2022), the United Kingdom Supreme Court held that Northern Ireland legislation creating a safe access zone of 100 meters from abortion clinic entrances that is off limits to abortion protesters does not violate...

In Britain last Friday, the government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities issued National Mourning Period: Guidance for Faith and Belief Groups and Places of Worship. It contains liturgical and operational suggestions for religious venues that wish to take part in the Period of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II. Law & Religion UK has links...

In Ali v Heathrow Express Operating Company Ltd., (EAT, April 7, 2022), the United Kingdom Employment Appeal Tribunal upheld an Employment Tribunal’s dismissal of an Equality Act religious harassment complaint brought by a Muslim employee of the Heathrow Express train service. At issue was the conduct of a Heathrow Airport employee who duties involved carrying out security...

In a much-awaited decision, the European Court of Human Rights managed to avoid dealing directly with the central question in a case pitting LGBTQ rights against religious freedom rights of owners of commercial establishments. In Lee v. United Kingdom, (ECHR, Jan. 6, 2022), Gareth Lee, a gay man, ordered a cake from a bakery in Belfast....

 From SSRN: Sherif Girgis, Fragility, Not Superiority: “Substantial Burdens” on Religion and the Fairness of Special Protections, (September 1, 2020). Mark Bell, Fratelli Tutti: Pope Francis’ Encyclical and Implications for Labour Law, (UK Labour Law Blog, 10/22/2020). Mark Bell, Bridging a Divide: A Faith-Based Perspective on Anti-Discrimination Law, ((2020) 9 Oxford Journal of Law and Religion..

In Britain last Friday, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a new interfaith task force to develop a plan for the phased and safe reopening of places of worship. According to the release: No place of worship will be able to reopen before a final decision by the government and the accompanying change...

Britain’s appellate court that reviews decisions on visa and asylum applications and the right to enter or stay in the UK– the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber— has recently issued an interesting decision on how to treat a citizen of Iran who disingenuously converts from Islam to Christianity in Britain in order to create...

Law & Religion UK reports that in Britain, the Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) Regulations 2019 were approved by the House of Commons on Oct. 31 and by the House of Lords on November 5.

In Britain last week, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office announced: The Prime Minister has today appointed Rehman Chishti MP as his new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. In his new position, Rehman Chishti will bring together efforts across the UK Government, with faith actors and civil society to promote the UK’s firm...