Dear Colleagues;

An interesting decision of the European Court of Human Rights at the intersection of “law and religion” and tort issues (not to mention private international law): here a summary in English https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21084800-judgment-jc-and-others-v-belgium-dismissal-of-civil-action-on-grounds-of-vaticans-jurisdictional-immunity?responsive=1&title=1 . In brief, claimants who had been abused by clergy were suing officers of the Roman Catholic church in Belgium (these claims were ultimately the result of payments under compensation provisions set up by the church), but were also attempting to sue the “Holy See” (Vatican state). The claim against the State was dismissed on “generally recognised principles of international law in matters of State immunity”. Thanks to Frank Cranmer of “Law and Religion UK” for the reference: https://lawandreligionuk.com/2021/10/17/law-and-religion-round-up-17th-october/#more-67712 .

Regards

Neil