About Us

Our Mission

The Thomas More Legal Centre is a charity which exists to support and advance the human right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which is recognised in the European Convention on Human Rights.  This includes the freedom to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching and practice.

We seek to do this by facilitating access to specialist legal assistance in England and Wales in cases involving religious freedom or discrimination on the grounds on religious belief.  This legal assistance may be subsidised or free, where possible.

We are also concerned about attempts to remove Christian symbols or prevent the carrying on of Christian traditions.

We are predominantly Catholic in origin and ethos but support the right of religious freedom for all.

We will not support any activity that we consider harmful to Christians or contrary to Catholic principles, ethics or morality.

Some examples of the areas where the Thomas More Legal Centre has facilitated advice are the problems faced by Catholic Adoption agencies, issues of conscience for Catholic medical professionals and the legal rights of student pro-life societies.

The Law

Religious Freedom

Detailed information on various aspects of the Law relating to Religious Freedom and Religious Discrimination is available in a CTS booklet written by our former National Director, Mr Neil Addison in 2014.

The European Convention on Human Rights applies throughout the United Kingdom because of the Human Rights Act 1998.  Article 9 protects freedom of religion whilst Articles 10 and 11 protect the linked rights of freedom of speech and freedom of association.

Under the Equality Act 2010 it is illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or applicants for jobs because of their religion or belief; it is also illegal for public authorities, schools, businesses etc to discriminate against people or organisations because of their religion or belief.

Claims under the Equality Act relating to employment are brought in the Employment Tribunal and other claims under the Equality Act or claims under the Human Rights Act are brought in the County Court.