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Christian Legal Centre vs. transgender people

Christian Legal Centre (CLC) is a British legal advocacy group that represents Christians in legal cases. Their mission is “to safeguard the freedom of Christians to live and speak for Jesus Christ, and to provide legal support for those taking a stand for Jesus and the truth that flows from him.”

CLC is one of three specialist ministries of the umbrella group Christian Concern and operates as a separate entity. CLC has represented Christian clients in a number of prominent cases involving transgender people and policies related to them.

In 2026, CLC was listed in reports published by Amnesty International UK on anti-rights movements in the United Kingdom.

Background

Christian Concern incorporated Christian Law Centre Limited in October 2007. It changed names to Christian Legal Centre Limited later that year.

Anti-trans activism

Below are selected cases involving transgender matters where CLC was involved.

Sutcliffe v Cedar Court Care Ltd (2017–2020)
  • Case number: 3329025/2017
  • CLC page: Joshua
  • Court: Employment Tribunal (Cambridge)
  • CLC role: Represented Joshua Sutcliffe
  • Issue: Employment dispute after Sutcliffe was dismissed from Cedar Court Care Ltd; later cases involved his refusal to use a transgender pupil’s preferred pronouns while teaching.
  • Outcome: The Cedar Court claim was dismissed on unfair dismissal grounds, although an unlawful deduction from wages claim succeeded.
Sutcliffe v The River Learning Trust and others (2018–2020)
  • Case number: 3303656/2018
  • CLC page: Joshua
  • Court: Employment Tribunal (Watford)
  • CLC role: Supported Joshua Sutcliffe
  • Issue: Claims relating to his dismissal from The Cherwell School after disputes involving a transgender pupil, including alleged misgendering.
  • Outcome: Proceedings were withdrawn.
Rowe family v Department for Education / Isle of Wight school challenge (2019–2021)
  • Case number: [(judicial review proceedings]
  • CLC page: The Rowes
  • Court: High Court (Administrative Court)
  • CLC role: Represented Nigel and Sally Rowe
  • Issue: Challenge to school policies concerning transgender inclusion after their child encountered another pupil who was socially transitioning.
  • Outcome: The judicial review was withdrawn after the Department for Education agreed to pay the family’s legal costs (reported as approximately £22,000). No substantive ruling was made on transgender guidance.
Randall v Trent College / Bishop of Derby-related proceedings (2019–2023)
  • Case number:
  • CLC page: Bernard Randall
  • Court: Employment Tribunal and related church disciplinary processes
  • CLC role: Represented Rev. Dr Bernard Randall
  • Issue: Dismissal of school chaplain after a sermon addressing Christian teaching on sexuality, marriage, and gender identity following LGBT-related staff training at Trent College.
  • Outcome: Employment Tribunal rejected some claims in 2023, but related church proceedings continued. Randall later regained permission to officiate following a settlement/review process.
Higgs v Farmor’s School (2021–2025)
  • Case number: 3303325/2018
  • CLC page: Kristie Higgs
  • Court: Employment Tribunal; Employment Appeal Tribunal; Court of Appeal
  • CLC role: Represented Kristie Higgs
  • Issue: Dismissal after social media posts criticizing LGBT relationship education and gender ideology in schools.
  • Outcome: Court of Appeal found aspects of the earlier tribunal approach were incorrect and remitted issues for reconsideration.
Darlington Memorial Hospital nurses (v County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust) (2023–present)
  • Case number:
  • CLC page: Darlington Nurses
  • Court: Employment Tribunal
  • CLC role: Represents eight nurses
  • Issue: Challenge concerning NHS workplace arrangements allowing a transgender physician Beth Upton to use female changing facilities.
  • Outcome: Proceedings ongoing.
Miss A (anonymous teacher) (2023–present)
  • Case number:
  • CLC page: Hannah
  • Court: Employment Tribunal
  • CLC role: Represents teacher
  • Issue: Dispute concerning a school’s response to a pupil’s gender transition and the teacher’s objection to aspects of gender-affirming practice.
  • Outcome: Ongoing/not publicly reported in detail.

Other matters

CLC assisted Calvin and Nicola Watts, who “were forced to remove their children from a Kent Church of England primary school after discovering that their 8-year-old child and classmates were being taught that they may have been born in the wrong body, and encouraged that even 3-year-olds can declare themselves ‘non-binary’ to their parents.”

CLC profiled therapist James Caspian, was prevented from studying transgender regret by Bath Spa University.

CLC profiled Jennifer, “a Christian nurse suspended for whistleblowing how she was disciplined for indirectly ‘misgendering’ a transgender paedophile patient.”

People

Trustees

  • Robert Andrews (2007–2010)
  • David John Clark (2007–2013)
  • Rebecca Claire Hunt (2021–)
  • Andrea Rose Minichiello Williams (2007–)
  • Adegboyega Ayodeji Omooba (2026–)
  • Ashraf Sammy Soloman (2021–2025)

Resources

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Christian Concern (christianconcern.com)

UK Companies House (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk)