X v Mid Sussex Citizens Advice

This is an example of The Christian Institute intervening in a case to protect the religious freedom of churches and other religious bodies.

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that volunteers are not covered by EU employment discrimination law – saving churches from an avalanche of equality laws.

While the case was still at the Court of Appeal, Lord Justice Elias referred to the forceful “written submissions of Mr Bowers QC for the Christian Institute who emphasised the difficulties which voluntary organisations would face if the scope of the Directive were to be so vague and uncertain.”

If the ‘X’ case had been successful there would have been serious consequences for the voluntary sector. Church volunteer positions such as leaders or helpers in Sunday Schools, home groups, children’s groups etc could have been made subject to equality law – with all the potential litigation that could have caused.