Menu
11/12/2013
Woman Wins Right To Scientology Wedding
A woman who wants to marry in a Church of Scientology chapel has won her challenge against the Supreme Court.
Louisa Hodkin, who was brought up within a Scientology family, launched legal proceedings after officials refused to register the chapel in London as a place for marriage. In 1970, s High Court ruling stated Scientology services were not "acts of worship", but today (11 December), five Supreme Court judges ruled that the church is a "place of meeting for religious worship".
They claimed that the 1970 ruling of religious worship which involved "reverence or veneration of God or of a supreme being" was out of date.
Revealing the judgement, Lord Toulson said: "Religion should not be confined to religions which recognise a supreme deity.
"To do so would be a form of religious discrimination unacceptable in today's society."
He also noted that the criteria would exclude other faiths, such as Buddhism.
In its report, the court said it was not the job of the Registrar General of Births, Marriages and Deaths to delve into "fine theological or liturgical niceties", and therefore ruled that the Scientology chapel should be recorded as a place for marriages.
Speaking after the ruling, Miss Hodkin and her fiancé Alessandro Calcioli now planned to set a date for their wedding, which they hope will be within the next few months.
Ms Hodkin said: "It's been a long and demanding journey, but the Supreme Court's decision has made it all worthwhile. We are really excited that we can now get married, and thank our family and friends for all of their patience and support."
Mr Calcioli added: "I think the court's definition of religion is excellent. I think it's what most people today would understand 'religion' to be. I'm ecstatic."
However, local government minister Brandon Lewis voiced worries over the ruling and said his department would now take legal advice over concerns about religious exemption from business rates for Scientology premises.
He is quoted as saying: "Hard-pressed taxpayers will wonder why Scientology premises should now be given tax cuts when local firms have to pay their fair share."
(JP/IT)
Louisa Hodkin, who was brought up within a Scientology family, launched legal proceedings after officials refused to register the chapel in London as a place for marriage. In 1970, s High Court ruling stated Scientology services were not "acts of worship", but today (11 December), five Supreme Court judges ruled that the church is a "place of meeting for religious worship".
They claimed that the 1970 ruling of religious worship which involved "reverence or veneration of God or of a supreme being" was out of date.
Revealing the judgement, Lord Toulson said: "Religion should not be confined to religions which recognise a supreme deity.
"To do so would be a form of religious discrimination unacceptable in today's society."
He also noted that the criteria would exclude other faiths, such as Buddhism.
In its report, the court said it was not the job of the Registrar General of Births, Marriages and Deaths to delve into "fine theological or liturgical niceties", and therefore ruled that the Scientology chapel should be recorded as a place for marriages.
Speaking after the ruling, Miss Hodkin and her fiancé Alessandro Calcioli now planned to set a date for their wedding, which they hope will be within the next few months.
Ms Hodkin said: "It's been a long and demanding journey, but the Supreme Court's decision has made it all worthwhile. We are really excited that we can now get married, and thank our family and friends for all of their patience and support."
Mr Calcioli added: "I think the court's definition of religion is excellent. I think it's what most people today would understand 'religion' to be. I'm ecstatic."
However, local government minister Brandon Lewis voiced worries over the ruling and said his department would now take legal advice over concerns about religious exemption from business rates for Scientology premises.
He is quoted as saying: "Hard-pressed taxpayers will wonder why Scientology premises should now be given tax cuts when local firms have to pay their fair share."
(JP/IT)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2012
Tesco Loses Supreme Court Ruling
The UK Supreme Court has dismissed a legal bid by Tesco to stop Asda from building a large store close to one of its supermarkets. The row began in 2010 when Asda was granted permission to build a new store on the site of a former NCR factory on the outskirts of Dundee.
Tesco Loses Supreme Court Ruling
The UK Supreme Court has dismissed a legal bid by Tesco to stop Asda from building a large store close to one of its supermarkets. The row began in 2010 when Asda was granted permission to build a new store on the site of a former NCR factory on the outskirts of Dundee.
29 January 2013
Government To Challenge Ruling On Criminal Records
The government is to seek leave to appeal a ruling that the law that requires people to disclose all previous convictions to certain employers is a breach of human rights. It follows the case of a 21-year-old job applicant, who because of the law had to reveal warnings he had received from police, aged 11, over two stolen bicycles.
Government To Challenge Ruling On Criminal Records
The government is to seek leave to appeal a ruling that the law that requires people to disclose all previous convictions to certain employers is a breach of human rights. It follows the case of a 21-year-old job applicant, who because of the law had to reveal warnings he had received from police, aged 11, over two stolen bicycles.
20 December 2013
Pair Found Guilty Of Lee Rigby Murder
Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale have been found guilty of murdering soldier Lee Rigby. Fusilier Rigby was killed as he made his way back to Woolwich barracks in south-east London on 22 May. The soldier was struck by a car before being dragged into the road and attacked with knives and a meat cleaver.
Pair Found Guilty Of Lee Rigby Murder
Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale have been found guilty of murdering soldier Lee Rigby. Fusilier Rigby was killed as he made his way back to Woolwich barracks in south-east London on 22 May. The soldier was struck by a car before being dragged into the road and attacked with knives and a meat cleaver.
11 May 2006
Appeal bid by van Hoogstraten rejected
Millionaire businessman Nicholas van Hoogstraten has been denied the right to appeal a High Court ruling that he was involved in the murder of a rival. Mr van Hoogstraten, 60, from Uckfield in Sussex had been seeking to enter an appeal in relation to the murder of rival businessman Mohammed Raja in 1999.
Appeal bid by van Hoogstraten rejected
Millionaire businessman Nicholas van Hoogstraten has been denied the right to appeal a High Court ruling that he was involved in the murder of a rival. Mr van Hoogstraten, 60, from Uckfield in Sussex had been seeking to enter an appeal in relation to the murder of rival businessman Mohammed Raja in 1999.
03 December 2004
Blunkett wins right to proceed with access case
Home Secretary David Blunkett has won the first round of a High Court battle regarding access to his former lover's son. Kimberly Quinn had been attempting to delay proceedings with an appeal to the High Court for an adjournment. It also emerged today that she is contesting Mr Blunkett's claim that he is the father of her two-year-old son.
Blunkett wins right to proceed with access case
Home Secretary David Blunkett has won the first round of a High Court battle regarding access to his former lover's son. Kimberly Quinn had been attempting to delay proceedings with an appeal to the High Court for an adjournment. It also emerged today that she is contesting Mr Blunkett's claim that he is the father of her two-year-old son.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
