Leeds: Catholic adoption charity granted permission to appeal against tribunal verdict
The Diocese of Leeds' children's charity Catholic Care has been granted leave to appeal to the High Court against the Charity Tribunal's refusal to allow it to change its objectives so it could exclude homosexual couples from using its adoption service.
The tribunal has granted permission for the appeal on a limited number of points of law relating to whether it correctly interpreted the relevant section of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007.
The tribunal's ruling on the permission to appeal said: "This case is believed to have been the first in which a court or tribunal was asked to consider the correct interpretation of regulation 18 of the regulations. The tribunal considers that this case raises a point of law of public importance which it would be appropriate for the High Court to consider on appeal."
Mark Wiggin, chief executive of Catholic Care, said the charity had not yet decided whether to pursue the appeal. "We have to leave open the option," he said.