Belief is not always a good thing in an advocate – The Guardian

“Objectivity could be lost when lawyers are committed to cases such as those alleging religious discrimination.”

Full story

The Guardian, 4th May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Christian Legal Centre fights more than 50 religious discrimination cases – The Guardian

“The Christian group that backed an electrician in his battle to display a crucifix in his company van says it now has more than 50 similar cases on its books.”

Full story

The Guardian, 1st May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Anti-gay Christian couple lose foster care case – The Guardian

“A Pentecostal Christian couple have lost their high court claim that they were discriminated against by a local authority because they insisted on their right to tell young foster children that homosexuality is morally wrong.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th February 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Adoption doctor loses religious bias claim – The Independent

“A Christian paediatrician who was dismissed from an adoption panel over her belief that children should not be placed with same-sex couples today lost her claim for religious discrimination.”

Full story

The Independent, 16th November 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Christian Wandsworth Council worker loses sacking claim – BBC News

“A housing official sacked after suggesting a woman with an incurable illness ‘put her faith in God’ has lost his legal challenge.”

Full story

BBC News, 11th August 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

An MP’s posturing talk of a burqa ban – The Guardian

“Philip Hollobone, the Tory MP for Kettering, has told the media that he won’t meet with constituents who wear a burqa or niqab. Last week Liberty wrote to him pointing out that, as the burqa and niqab are a form of dress exclusively associated with Muslim women, this will amount to direct religious discrimination. By treating Muslim women less favourably than he would treat people of other religions he is disregarding the Equality Act 2006.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Burka ban Tory MP could face legal action – The Independent

“The MP who is refusing to hold meetings with Muslim women wearing full Islamic dress faces legal action.”

Full story

The Independent, 25th July 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

The legal threat to our spiritual tradition – Daily Telegraph

“The McFarlane judgment raises fundamental questions about church and state, says Michael Nazir-Ali.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 30th April 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Carey’s intervention backfires – The Guardian

“As a lawyer, I can recognise Lord Laws’ judgment in the McFarlane case as stinging rebuke to Lord Carey.”

Full story

The Guardian, 30th April 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Civil unrest’ warning over ‘un-Christian’ rulings – Daily Telegraph

“A top judge was warned that court rulings against Christian workers risk causing ‘civil unrest’ as he heard the case of a relationship counsellor who was sacked after refusing to give sex advice to homosexual couples.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 15th April 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Removing crucifix would violate her Christian faith, nurse tells tribunal – The Guardian

“A devout Christian who is fighting a hospital trust over her right to wear a crucifix at work said today that removing or hiding it would violate her beliefs.”

Full story

The Guardian, 29th March 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Equality Bill could be amended by Lords to benefit Catholic adoption agencies – Daily Telegraph

“Roman Catholic adoption agencies could be allowed to act in accordance with their religious beliefs once more, under a move to be proposed in the House of Lords.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 23rd March 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sikh campaigners threaten legal fight over 2011 census – BBC News

“The UK Sikh Federation says it might take legal action over the Office for National Statistics’ 2011 census form.”

Full story

BBC News, 25th February 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Eweida v British Airways plc – WLR Daily

Eweida v British Airways plc [2010] EWCA Civ 80; [2010] WLR (D) 37

 “A Christian employee who had been suspended from work for wearing with her uniform a small, visible cross in breach of her employer’s staff dress code, which forbade the wearing of visible neck adornment, had not suffered unlawful indirect discrimination.”

WLR Daily, 15th February 2010

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Sikh ‘ceremonial daggers’ should be allowed in schools, says judge – Daily Telegraph

“Sikh pupils should be allowed to carry ceremonial daggers, Britain’s first Asian judge has said, following a case in which a 14-year-old was excluded for insisting on bringing his Kirpan blade to school.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th February 2010

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sikh judge Sir Mota Singh criticises banning of Kirpan – BBC News

“Sikhs should be allowed to wear their ceremonial daggers – known as Kirpans – to school and other public places, Britain’s first Asian judge has said.”

Full story

BBC News, 8th February 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Complaint after Cherie Booth spares religious man jail – BBC News

“A secularist group has lodged an official complaint against Cherie Booth QC after she spared a man from prison because he was religious.”

Full story

BBC News, 4th February 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

BA employee in legal bid over wearing cross – The Independent

“Devout Christian Nadia Eweida is appealing today against a ruling which cleared British Airways of discriminating against her by asking her to stop wearing a cross at work.”

Full story

The Independent 19th January 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Christian registrar loses discrimination appeal – The Independent

“Christian registrar Lillian Ladele today lost her appeal against a ruling that she had not been discriminated against by being disciplined after she refused to conduct same-sex civil partnerships.”

Full story

The Independent, 15th December 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Court to rule in registrar case – BBC News

“The Court of Appeal is to rule on a claim brought by a Christian registrar disciplined for refusing to conduct same-sex civil partnerships.”

Full story

BBC News, 15th December 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Christian loses sex therapy case – BBC News

“A relationship counsellor from Bristol who refused to offer sex therapy to gay couples has lost his appeal for unfair dismissal.”

Full story

BBC News, 30th November 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man sacked for belief in psychics backed by judge (but, of course, he knew that would happen) – The Independent

“A police worker who was sacked because he believed psychics can help solve criminal investigations is to go to court today to defend his right to legal protection from religious discrimination.”

Full story

The Independent, 12th November 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Christian registrar to appeal over same-sex ceremonies – The Guardian

“Controversial claims that Christians should not have to condone homosexuality will be made in the court of appeal today [2nd Nov.], as a registrar says she suffered discrimination by being required to conduct same-sex civil partnership ceremonies.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Jewish school JFS refused to admit boy on religious grounds, court told – The Guardian

“Britain’s most successful Jewish school told the supreme court today it had discriminated against a 12-year-old boy on religious rather than racial grounds.”

Full story

The Guardian, 27th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Climate change believer takes firm to tribunal – The Guardian

“A man who claims he was unfairly dismissed from his job because he believes in climate change is attempting to have his environmental views recognised under religious law.”

Full story

The Guardian, 7th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Officer wins turban row tribunal – BBC News

“A Sikh police officer who was told to remove his turban during riot training has won his discrimination case against Greater Manchester Police.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Row over nurse wearing crucifix – BBC News

“A hospital trust has denied a nurse’s claim it is preventing her from openly expressing her religious beliefs.”

Full story

BBC News, 20th September 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sikh police officer ‘left humiliated for refusing to remove turban during training’ – Daily Telegraph

“A Sikh police officer was ‘humiliated’ by his Greater Manchester Police colleagues after refusing to remove his turban for training and undergoing practices that would breach his faith, an employment tribunal heard.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th September 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Christian primary school receptionist sues over religious discrimination – Daily Telegraph

“A school receptionist is suing her employers amid claims that they were ‘anti-Christian’ by suspending her following a dispute over her faith, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 22nd August 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Race complaints by Sikh police officer upheld by tribunal – The Independent

“A Sikh police officer suffered racist and religious discrimination during training, an employment tribunal found.”

Full story

The Independent, 27th July 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Witches claim religious discrimination after church ban – Daily Telegraph

“A group of witches is claiming religious discrimination after church leaders banned them from using its social club.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 17th June 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Jewish couple sue neighbours over automatic light – Daily Telegraph

“A Jewish couple are suing their neighbours in a block of flats because they say an automatic security light breaks a religious prohibition.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th June 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Muslim catering manager claims discrimination in row over handling pork – Daily Telegraph

“Muslim catering manager Hasanali Khoja refused to cook sausages and bacon because it was against his religion, a tribunal has heard.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 11th May 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Queen’s Trinity Cross honour deemed unlawful by Privy Council – The Times

“An honour established by the Queen has been declared unlawful after Muslims and Hindus complained that its Christian name and cross insignia were offensive.”

Full story

The Times, 8th May 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Act of Settlement: a nakedly discriminatory law – The Guardian

“The Act of Settlement of 1701, which bars Catholics from the throne – or marrying the monarch, or princes in the line of succession – has become an increasing source of contention, with a series of attempts to abolish such a nakedly discriminatory law.”

Full story

The Guardian, 27th March 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

BA crucifix worker takes case to Court of Appeal – Daily Telegraph

“British Airways check-in employee Nadia Eweida who was banned from wearing a Christian cross at work is to take her case to the Court of Appeal.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Companies told to review rules to avoid ‘indirect’ religious discrimination – Daily Telegraph

“Companies have been urged to review their workplace rules to ensure they are not discriminating against religious employees, after a sharp rise in the number of faith-related employment tribunals.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th February 2009

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Christian appeals in BA cross ban – BBC News

“A Christian has begun an appeal against a ruling that British Airways (BA) did not discriminate when it asked her to stop wearing a cross visibly at work.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th October 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Muslim man sues Tesco for being told to handle alcohol – Daily Telegraph

“A Muslim man is suing Tesco for religious discrimination because he was asked to handle crates of alcohol in a warehouse.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 29th September 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Law against religious discrimination needed, says Muslim minister – Daily Telegraph

“Sadiq Khan, a Government whip, said that the forthcoming Single Equality Act, which could force public bodies to actively promote equality on grounds of gender, race and disability, must also tackle religion and end ‘Islamophobia in the workplace’.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 16th September 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

al-Jazeera English management branded ‘malicious’ as tribunal opens – The Guardian

“A former executive at al-Jazeera English seeking more than £1m compensation for alleged discrimination today branded the Qatar-based news channel’s management ‘inconsistent, inefficient and malicious’ at an employment tribunal in London.”

Full story

The Guardian, 9th September 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Muslim wrongly accused of being a terrorist wins £14,000 compensation – Daily Telegraph

“A Muslim police worker who was ‘maliciously’ reported to the anti-terrorist squad by colleagues after the July 7 bombings has been awarded almost £14,000 compensation.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 2nd September 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Sikh teenager Sarika Watkins-Singh wins right to wear bangle – The Times

“A Sikh teenager won a legal battle yesterday over her right to wear a bangle that she holds central to her faith.”

Full story

The Times, 30th July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Sarika Watkins-Singh wins right to wear bangle at school – The Times

“A Sikh girl who took her fight for the right to wear a religious bangle at school to the High Court has won a landmark claim for discrimination.”

Full story

The Times, 29th July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Decision expected in bangle case – BBC News

“A teenager is due to find out later whether she has succeeded in her fight to wear a religious bangle at school.”

Full story

BBC News, 29th July 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Christian policeman ‘victimised’ over opposition to gay pride event – Daily Telegraph

“A Christian policeman is taking his own force to an employment tribunal over claims that it ‘harassed’ him because of his religious opposition to homosexuality.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 20th July 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Registrar wins same-sex tribunal – BBC News

“A marriage registrar was bullied for refusing to conduct same-sex ceremonies, a tribunal has ruled.”

Full story

BBC News, 10th July 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

R (E) v Governing Body of JFS and Others – WLR Daily

R (E) v Governing Body of JFS and Others [2008] EWHC 1535/1536; [2008] WLR (D) 223

“Faith schools which gave priority to children of their designated faith in the event of over-subscription did not directly or indirectly racially discriminate against non-members of the faith.”

WLR Daily, 4th July 2008

Source: www.lawreports.co.uk

Please note once a case has been fully reported in one of the ICLR series the corresponding WLR Daily summary is removed.

Equality before the Law – Speech by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers

Equality before the Law (PDF)

Speech by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers

East London Muslim Centre, 3rd July 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Jewish school did not discriminate against pupil – The Times

“A top Jewish state school was cleared today of racially discriminating against an 11-year-old boy by refusing him a place, in a High Court ruling that has implications for the whole faith school system. ”

Full story

The Times, 3rd July 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Despite recent controversy, civil partnerships have been a huge success – The Independent

“Last month, a civil registrar who refuses to officiate at partnerships between same-sex couples, claiming it is ‘sinful’ and against her religion, brought a legal case that could have implications for ceremonies nationwide. ‘As a matter of religious conscience,’ Lillian Ladele said she couldn’t perform civil partnerships for gay couples and has accused North London’s Islington council of religious discrimination and victimisation because it asked her to continue performing them despite her views.”

Full story

The Independent, 19th June 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Sikh bangle means as much to Monty Panesar as it does to teenager, court told – The Times

“A simple steel wrist bangle means as much to Sarika Watkins-Singh, 14, as it does to the England spin bowler Monty Panesar, the High Court was told yesterday.”

Full story

The Times, 18th June 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

‘Bangle’ girl case reaches court – BBC News

“The case of the Cynon Valley schoolgirl sent home for wearing a Sikh religious bracelet will be heard by a High Court judge in London later.”

Full story

BBC News, 17th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Bangle’ supporters petition PM – BBC News

“The family of a Sikh girl excluded from school for wearing a religious bangle will hand in a petition to Downing Street.”

Full story

BBC News, 13th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Solicitor accuses regulator of racial bias in £10m claim – The Guardian

“An Iranian-born solicitor has launched an unprecedented £10m claim against the Law Society and the solicitors’ regulatory body for racial and religious discrimination, harassment and victimisation.”

Full story

The Guardian, 26th May 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk