Visit JCPCUKSC/2024/0095
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PUBLIC LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS
In the matter of an application by JR87 and another for Judicial Review (Appellant)
Case summary
Case ID
UKSC/2024/0095
Parties
Appellant(s)
JR87
G
Respondent(s)
The Department of Education for Northern Ireland
Issue
Do religious education and collective worship provided in a school in Northern Ireland breach the rights of a child, and the child’s parents, under Article 2 of the First Protocol (“A2P1”) to the European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”) read with Article 9 ECHR?
Facts
JR87, the first appellant, attended a controlled primary school in Belfast. As part of the curriculum she took part in non-denominational Christian religious education and collective worship. JR87’s parents did not wish her to be taught that Christianity was an absolute truth. In May 2019, the parents wrote a letter to the school voicing concerns that their daughter’s education did not appear to conform with their own religious and philosophical convictions. They enquired as to what inspection mechanisms were in place to ensure that children were receiving a balanced religious education. In a reply dated 21 June 2019, the school confirmed that its provision of religious education and collective worship was “Bible-based”, that it followed the core syllabus for education, and that it complied with the requirements of the legislation and the core syllabus at an age-appropriate level. JR87’s father “G”, the second appellant, challenged the legality of the religious education and collective worship and sought judicial review against the respondent, the Department of Education. The appellants argued that the religious education and collective worship in the school contravened their rights under A2P1, which requires the State providing education to “respect the right of parents to ensure such education is in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions”, read with Article 9 ECHR, which guarantees everyone the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The High Court found that the religious education and collective worship was in breach of both appellants’ rights under A2P1 read with Article 9 ECHR. The Court of Appeal allowed the respondent’s appeal. The appellants now appeal to the Supreme Court.
Date of issue
3 July 2024
Judgment appealed
Judgment details
Judgment date
19 November 2025
Neutral citation
[2025] UKSC 40
Judgment links
Judgment summary
19 November 2025
Appeal
Justices
Hearing dates
Full hearing
Start date
21 May 2025
End date
21 May 2025
Half hearing
Start date
22 May 2025
End date
22 May 2025
Watch hearings
21 May 2025 - Morning session
21 May 2025 - Afternoon session
22 May 2025 - Morning session
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Last updated 7 April 2025