Peter Rothery represented the Children in a case about third party disclosure from religious groups into care proceedings, which appears to be the first reported decision on the issue.

Lancashire County Council v E & F [2020]EWHC 182 (fam)

Peter Rothery represented the Children in a case about third party disclosure from religious groups into care proceedings, which appears to be the first reported decision on the issue. Jehovah’s Witnesses resisted disclosure of information about allegations of sexual abuse made about a father who was a member of their congregation. Mrs Justice Lieven rejected the contention that the material was covered by a common law privilege against disclosing information obtained during confession or spiritual counselling and held that the article 6 and 8 rights of the children outweighed the article 9 rights of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to respect for their religious practices.

The case report can be found here.