Ownership of religious buildings, such as churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, chapels and other buildings or meeting places used for religious purposes, can sit with individuals, groups of trustees, or holding bodies. If there is a dispute over the ownership of a religious building our experienced team of solicitors work in partnership with you to resolve the dispute as efficiently and effectively as possible. We provide advice and support through the process, through to resolution through mediation or representation in court proceedings.
We also provide advice and support on the use of religious buildings, their management and disposal. The Equality Act generally prevents a person or organisation in control of a building discriminating against a person or group wanting to use those premises. This includes who you rent them to, whether on a long- or short-term let and who you sell them to.
There is an exemption under the Act that could allow a church or other religious building to refuse to let or sell its premises to some people or groups. However, if the decision was challenged, the church or other religious building would have to show that the exemption had been satisfied.
At Anthony Collins Solicitors, we use our extensive sector knowledge to take a sensitive approach to advising faith-based charities on the use of their religious building, whether a church, mosque, temple, synagogue, chapel or other buildings or meeting place used for religious purposes, including:
For further information, please contact Dominic Curran or read more here about how we can help faith-based charities with property trusts and permanent endowment.
Happy New Year - our first newsletter of 2021! Throughout this year we will continue to bring you news and developments relating to the charities sector.
Our previous round-up began by sharing the news that two vaccines had shown very promising test results. Here we are, not even a month later, and the first vaccines have already been administered!
Finally, there is a glimmer of hope that perhaps the Covid-19 pandemic could be reaching its end.
Last week, England entered another period of lockdown which will last until at least 2 December.
It has been another difficult few weeks for many of us, especially those who find themselves under tier 3 restrictions.
Charity Financials, the financial information program from Wilmington Charities, has published its latest Income Monitor report.
A recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the UK means new measures are being put in place in an effort to reduce the risk of a second wave. Whilst the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt, it is important to remain focused on the sector’s road to recovery.
Catch up with all the latest charity updates in this fortnight’s news roundup
Catch up with all the latest charity updates in this fortnight’s news roundup.
Six months after the first recorded case of COVID-19 in the UK, it is clear that charities, community organisations and volunteers have played a huge role in the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.
