Law and Religion Cases

• De Kok v The Netherlands App. no 1443/19 (ECtHR, 26 April 2022)
  Conscientious objection – definition of conviction or belief — health insurance
• Christian Religious Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the NKR v Armenia App. no 41817/10 (ECtHR, 22 March 2022)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – registration as a religious organisation – Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Cheprunovy and Others v Russia App. no 74320/10 74329/10 74339/10 (ECtHR, 22 February 2022)
  Freedom of religion – property searches and seizure of religious literature – Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Zharinova v Russia App. no 17715/12 (ECtHR, 22 February 2022)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – door-to-door preaching – seizure of religious literature
• Church of Scientology Moscow and Others v Russia App. nos 37508/12, 61695/13 16761/14 (ECtHR, 14 December 2021)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – registration as a religious organisation – Church of Scientology
• Lee v United Kingdom App. no 18860/19 (ECtHR, 7 December 2021)
  ECHR procedure – exhaustion of domestic remedies – failure to argue ECHR point before national courts
• Centre of Societies for Krishna Consciousness in Russia and Frolov v Russia App. no 37477/11 (ECtHR, 23 November 2021)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – hostile speech used by regional State authorities –- Krishna religious organisation
• De Wilde v The Netherlands App. no 9476/19 (ECtHR, 9 November 2021)
  Definition of religion or belief – manifestations of religion or belief – Pastafarianism
• Polat v Austria App. no 12886/16 (ECtHR, 20 July 2021)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – burying the dead – post-mortem and organ removal for preservation of prematurely born child with rare disease
• Avanesyan v Armenia App. no 12999/15 (ECtHR, 20 July 2021)
  Conscientious objection – military service – conviction for draft evasion
• AO Falun Dafa and Others v The Republic of Moldova App. no 29458/15 (ECtHR, 29 June 2021)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – ban of a symbol of a spiritual practice and dissolution of the organisation – Falun Gong
• Ancient Baltic Religious Association “Romuva” v Lithuania App. no 48329/19 (ECtHR, 8 June 2021)
  Recognition as a religious association – discrimination– Paganism
• Vavřička and Others v Czech Republic App. nos 47621/13 3867/14 73094/14 and 3 others (ECtHR, 8 April 2021)
  Freedom of thought and conscience – definition of conviction or belief – statutory childhood vaccination duty
• Scherhaufer v Austria and 2 Other Applications (communicated case) App. nos 44990/18 47468/18 7161/19 (ECtHR, 29 January 2021)
  Freedom of conscience – discrimination – compulsory membership of hunting associations
• Mammadov v Azerbaijan App. no 7308/12 (ECtHR, 3 December 2020)
  Freedom of religion – seizure of religious literature – private premises
• Jafarov and Others v Azerbaijan App. no 406/12 (ECtHR, 15 October 2020)
  ECHR procedure – unilateral declaration – importation of religious literature
• Mariș v Romania App. no 58208/14 (ECtHR, 29 September 2020) [French]
  Respect for religion – religious affiliation – prison records
• Stavropoulos and Others v Greece App. no 52484/18 (ECtHR, 25 June 2020)
  Disclosure of religion or belief – risk of discrimination – birth certificate
• Grimmark v Sweden App. no 43726/17 (ECtHR, 11 February 2020)
  Conscientious objection – manifestation of religion or belief – refusal to assist in abortions
• Steen v Sweden App. no 62309/17 (ECtHR, 11 February 2020)
  Conscientious objection – manifestation of religion or belief– refusal to assist in abortions
• Papanikolaou v Greece (communicated case) App. no 45794/19 (ECtHR, 28 January 2020)
  Freedom of religion – disclosure of religion or belief – birth registration act
• Papageorgiou and Others v Greece App. nos 4762/18 6140/18 (ECtHR, 31 October 2019)
  Disclosure of religion or belief – exemption from religious education – respect for parents’ religious convictions
• Religious Community of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Kryvyi Rih’s Ternivsky District v Ukraine App. No 21477/10 (ECtHR, 3 September 2019)
  Place of worship – failure to permit the construction of a new place of worship and lease agreement – Jehovah’s Witnesses
• ES v Austria App. no 38450/12 (ECtHR, 25 October 2018)
  Freedom of expression – limitations – accusations concerning the Prophet Muhammad
• Lachiri v Belgium App. no 3413/09 (ECtHR, 18 September 2018) [French]
  Right to manifest religion or belief - exclusion from the courtroom – Islamic headscarf
• Dzikowski v Poland App. no 38799/11 (ECtHR, 15 May 2018)
  Prison – refusal to grant compassionate leave – Islamic marriage
• Glazov LRO and Others v Russia (communicated case) App. no 3215/18 (ECtHR, 7 May 2018)
  Extremism – liquidation of organisation and ban on activities – Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Tlapak and Others v Germany App. nos 11308/16 11344/16 (ECtHR, 22 March 2018)
  Corporal punishment – raising children in compliance with religious beliefs – Twelve Tribes Church
• Mockutė v Lithuania App. no 66490/09 (ECtHR, 27 February 2018)
  Pressure to change religion or belief – pressure not to manifest religion or belief – psychiatric hospital
• Sekmadienis Ltd v Lithuania App. no 69317/14 (ECtHR, 30 January 2018)
  Freedom of expression – advertising – use of religious symbols
• Hamidović v Bosnia and Herzegovina App. no 57792/15 (ECtHR, 5 December 2017)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – expulsion from the courtroom – Islamic skullcap
• Adyan and Others v Armenia App. no 75604/11 (ECtHR, 12 October 2017)
  Conscientious objection to military service – manifestation of religion or belief – Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Dimitras and Others v Greece App. no 46009/11 (ECtHR, 27 June 2017) [French]
  No remedy under domestic law - disclosure of religion or belief – swearing in procedure
• Klein v Germany App. no 10138/11 (ECtHR, 6 April 2017)
  Negative aspect of freedom of religion and conscience – right of an individual not to be compelled to be involved in religious activities against his will – church tax
• Izzettin Doğan and Others v Turkey App. no 62649/10 (ECtHR, 26 April 2016)
  Freedom of religion– request to be provided with religious services in the form of a public service – Alevi community

• WABE and MH Müller Handels [2021] EUECJ C-804/18 and C-341/19
  Equal treatment in employment and occupation – discrimination – political philosophical or religious signs
• Centraal Israëlitisch Consistorie Van België and Others [2020] EUECJ Case C-336/19
  Protection of animals at the time of killing – ritual slaughter – stunning
• Puppinck and Others v Commission [2019] EUECJ C-418/18P O
  Public health – research policy –EU financing of activities involving the destruction of human embryos
• Cresco Investigation GmbH v Achatzi [2019] EUECJ C-193/17
  Equal treatment in employment and occupation – discrimination – religious holidays
• IR v JQ [2018] EUECJ C-68/17
  Equal treatment – – difference of treatment on grounds of religion or belief –occupational activities within churches and other organisations the ethos of which is based on religion or belief
• Liga van Moskeeën en Islamitische Organisaties Provincie Antwerpen VZW v Vlaams Gewest (Global Action in the Interest of Animals VZW intervening) [2018] EUECJ C-426/16
  Protection of animals at the time of killing – ritual slaughter – stunning
• Egenberger v Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung eV (Vera Egenberger v Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V.) [2018] EUECJ C-414/16
  Equal treatment – difference of treatment on grounds of religion or belief – occupational activities within churches and other organisations the ethos of which is based on religion or belief
• Achbita v G4S Secure Solutions NV [2017] EUECJ C-157/15
  Equal treatment – discrimination – political, philosophical or religious signs in the workplace
  > G4S Secure Solutions [2017] EUECJ C-157/15
• Bougnaoui v Micropole SA [2017] EUECJ C-188/15
  Equal treatment – discrimination – Islamic headscarf
  > Bougnanoui and ADDH [2017] EUECJ C-188/15

2022

• Mr J Kovalkovs v 2 Sisters Food Group Limited [2022] UKET 4102454/2020
  Discrimination – religious symbols – Orthodox Christianity
• Mr Philip Bialick v NNE Law Limited [2022] UKET 2405912/2020
  Discrimination – religious holiday – Orthodox Judaism

2021

• Mrs Onuoha v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust [2021] ET2300516/2019
  Discrimination – religious symbols – Roman Catholic
• E & F (Minors: Blood Transfusion) [2021] EWCA Civ 1888
  Consent to or refusal of medical treatment – blood transfusion – Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Forstater v CGD Europe & Ors [2021] UKEAT/0105/20/JOJ
  Philosophical belief – gender-critical beliefs – trans persons
  > Forstater v CGD Europe & Ors [2021] UKEAT/0105/20/JOJ
  > Ms M Forstater v CGD Europe & Ors [2019] UKET 2200909/2019
• Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust v Fixsler & Ors [2021] EWHC 2664 (Fam)
  >Life-sustaining medical treatment – location at which life-support should be withdrawn – Chassidic Jews
  > Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust v Fixsler & Ors [2021] EWHC 1426 (Fam)
  > Fixsler & Anor v Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust & Anor [2021] EWCA Civ 1018
• Overd & Ors v The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary [2021] EWHC 3100 (QB)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – street preaching – Evangelical Christians
• R (On the application of Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Services Ltd) v HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED) [2021] EWCA Civ 1390
• Discrimination – fostering – recruitment and selection process for foster carers
  > R (Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service Ltd)) v The Office for Standards In Education, Children’s Services and Skills [2020] EWHC 1679 (Admin)
• Sleath v West Midlands Trains [2021] UKET 1310379/2020
  >Discrimination – philosophical beliefs – unfair dismissal
• Mr K Ferguson v Kintail Trustees Ltd & Anor [2021] ET 4103321/2020
  Discrimination – unfair dismissal – Evangelical Christian
• P (Circumcision: Child in Care) [2021] EWHC 1616 (Fam)
  Interim care order – Muslim parents – circumcision
• Halcrow & Anor v Crown Prosecution Service [2021] EWHC 483 (Admin)
  Restrictions on site entry – Stonehenge – Paganism and Druidism
• Page v NHS Trust Development Authority [2021] EWCA Civ 255
  Discrimination – single parent and same-sex adoption – Christian
  > Page v Lord Chancellor & Anor [2021] EWCA Civ 254
  > Page v Lord Chancellor & Anor [2019] UKEAT 0304_18_1906
  > Mr R Page v NHS Trust Developmental Authority [2017] UKET 2302433/2016
• A and B (Minors: placement, faith) [2021] EWHC 455 (Admin)
  Right to manifest religion or belief – respite placement accommodation – Orthodox Haredi Jews
• Seyi Omooba v Michael Garret Associates Ltd T/A Global Artists & Anor [2021] UKET 2202946/19, 2602362/19
  Discrimination – opposition to homosexuality – Christian

2020

• Casamitjana v The League Against Cruel Sports [2020] UKET 3331129/2018
  Definition of religion or belief – philosophical belief – ethical veganism
• Jackson v Lidl [2020] ET 2302259/2019/V
  Definition of religion or belief – philosophical belief– Stoicism
• Appeal by Zuo Hui Xie against the Secretary of State for the Home Department [2020] ScotCS CSIH 52
  Asylum application – risk of persecution – Falun Gong adherent
• R (Harrison & Ors) v Secretary of State for Justice [2020] EWHC 2096 (Admin)
  Discrimination - recognition of humanist marriages – Humanists
• R (Christian Concern) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [2020] EWCA Civ 1239
  Early medical abortion – amendment to the Abortion Act 1967 – home of a pregnant woman
• HM Attorney General v Akhter & Ors [2020] EWCA Civ 122
  Marriage – non-qualifying ceremony – Islamic marriage ceremony
  > Akhter v Khan [2018] EWFC 54

2019

• Mr G Conisbee v Crossley Farms Ltd & Ors [2019] UKET 3335357/2018
  Definition of religion or belief – philosophical belief – vegetarianism
• Mr R Sethi v Elements Personnel Services Ltd [2019] ET 2300234/2018
  Discrimination – facial hair policy – Sikh
• Birmingham City Council v Afsar [2019] EWHC 3217 (QB)
  Primary school – teaching of LGBT issues – injunctions to restrict protests and online abuse of teachers
• Gray v Mulberry Company (Design) Ltd [2019] EWCA Civ 1720
  Intellectual property rights – manifestation of religion or belief – discrimination
• Dr David Mackereth v The Department for Work and Pensions & Anor [2019] UKET 1304602/2018
  Discrimination – refusal to refer to a transgender person by their chosen pronouns – Christian
• Dulgheriu (and another) (Appellants) v London Borough of Ealing (Respondent) [2019] EWCA Civ 1490
  Abortion clinics – safe zone - Christian protestors
• R (Ngole) v The University of Sheffield [2019] EWCA Civ 1127
  Social media posts – disapproval of homosexuality – Christian
  > R (Ngole) v University of Sheffield [2017] EWHC 2669 (Admin)
• Mr C McEleny v Ministry of Defence [2019] UKET 4105347/2017
  >Discrimination – philosophical belief – Scottish independence and the social democratic values of the Scottish National Party
  > Mr C McEleny v Ministry of Defence [2019] UKET 4105347/2017
  > Mr C McEleny v Ministry of Defence [2018] UKET S/4105347/2017
• Gan Menachem Hendon Ltd V De Groen [2019] UKEAT 0059_18_1202
  Discrimination – cohabitation – Chabad Lubavitch Hasidic movement
• R (Ul-Haq) v Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council [2019] EWHC 70 (Admin)
  Discrimination – erection of raised edging around a grave – Muslims

2018

• The City of Oxford Bus Services Ltd (t/a Oxford Bus Company) v Harvey [2018] UKEAT 0171_18_2112
  Discrimination – observing the Sabbath – Seventh Day Adventist
• Lee (Respondent) v Ashers Baking Company Ltd and others (Appellants) (Northern Ireland) [2018] UKSC 49
  Discrimination – provision of goods and services – Christian
  > Lee v McArthur, McArthur and Ashers Baking Co Ltd [2016] NICA 39
• TF and MA, appeals by, against the Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] ScotCS CSIH 58
  Asylum application – risk of persecution – Christian

2017

• M (Children), Re [2017] EWCA Civ 2164
  Contact with children – transgender – Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community
  > J v B (Ultra-Orthodox Judaism: Transgender) [2017] EWFC 4
• Commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force & Ors v Laramore (Bahamas) [2017] UKPC 13
  Conscientious objection – active participation in a Christian ceremony – Muslim
• Smyth, re Judicial review [2017] NIQB 55
  Discrimination – recognition of humanist marriage – Humanist

2016

• Wasteney v East London NHS Foundation Trust [2016] UKEAT 0157_15_0704
  Discrimination – serious misconduct – Christian

• ND (Albania) & Ors v The International Protection Appeals Tribunal & Anor [2020] IEHC 451
  Application for international protection – evidence at tribunal – oaths and affirmations

• Cass. civ., 1ère, 2 mars 2022, pourvoi n° 20-20.185
  Bar Association – rules of procedure – signs manifesting religious, philosophical, community or political affiliation or opinions

• Dobbs et al. v Jackson Women’s Health Organization No. 19–1392 (U.S 24 June 2022)
  Constitutional rights – abortion – regulation of access
• Fulton et al. v City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (593 US ____ (2021)
  Discrimination – provision of foster care services – same-sex couples
• Scardina v Masterpiece Cakeshop Inc et al. (Denver Dist Ct June; 19CV32214 15, 2021)
  Discrimination – provision of goods and services – same-sex couples
• American Legion et al. v American Humanists Assn No. 17-1717 (U.S., Jun. 20, 2019)
  Separation of church and state – memorial cross for veterans – Humanist Association
• State v Arlene’s Flowers, Inc. 441 P.3d 1203 (Wash. 2019)
  Discrimination – provision of goods and services – same-sex couples
  > State of Washington v Arlene’s Flowers Inc et al. 389 P.3d 543 (Wash. 2017)
• Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd et al. v Colorado Civil Rights Commission et al. 584 US___(2018) 3
  Discrimination – provision of goods and services – same-sex couples
  > Craig v Masterpiece Cakeshop, Inc., 370 P.3d 272 (Colo. App. 2015)

• Institut de taoïsme Fung Loy Kok v Ville dr Montréal 2021 QCCS 3873 (CanLII) [French]
  Meaning of religion or belief – Taoism – Tai Chi
• Hak v Procureure Générale du Québec 2021 QCCS 1466 (CanLII) [French]
  Public servants – religious clothing – face coverings
  > Hak v Procureure générale du Québec 2019 QCCA 2145 (CanLII)
• Singh v Montréal Gateway Terminals Partnership 2019 QCCA 1494 [French]
  Health and safety – religious clothing – Sikh
• Aryeh-Bain v Canada (Attorney General) 2019 FC 964
  Religious holidays – election date – Orthodox Jew
• El-Alloul v Québec (Attorney General) & Ors 2018 QCCA 1610
  Secularism – religious clothing – Islamic headscarf
• Law Society of British Columbia v Trinity Western University 2018 SCC 32
  Accreditation of law school – religiously-based code of conduct - Evangelical Christian educational institution
  > Trinity Western University v Law Society of Upper Canada 2018 SCC 33

• DP (a pseudonym) v Bird [2021] VSC 850
  Personal injury – historic child abuse – vicarious liability of Diocese
• Burns v Folau [2020] NSWCATAD 287
  Discrimination – homosexual vilification – social media statements
• Passas v Comensoli [2019] NSWCATAP 298
  Discrimination – homosexual vilification – public statements
• Elzahed v State of New South Wales [2018] NSWCA 103
  Judicial discretion – testimony in court – giving evidence whilst wearing a face covering
• Jason Camp on behalf of Charlotte Camp v Director General, Department of Education [2017] WASAT 79
  Discrimination – school assemblies – Atheists