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Davies v Presbyterian Church of Wales: HL 1986

A minister of the Presbyterian Church of Wales who had been inducted pastor of a united pastorate in Wales claimed unfair dismissal.
Held: If the existence or otherwise of the relationship of employer and employee is dependent solely upon the true construction of a written document or documents, the question is one of law, and an appellate tribunal or court is free to reach its own conclusion on the question without any restriction arising from the decision of the tribunal below. The claimant was unable to point to any contract between himself and the church. The book of rules did not contain terms of employment capable of being offered and accepted in the course of a religious ceremony. It is possible for a man to be employed as a servant or as an independent contractor to carry out duties which are exclusively spiritual.
Lord Templeman said: ‘My Lords, it is possible for a man to be employed as a servant or as an independent contractor to carry out duties which are exclusively spiritual. But in the present case the applicant cannot point to any contract between himself and the church. The book of rules does not contain terms of employment capable of being offered and accepted in the course of a religious ceremony. The duties owed by the pastor to the church are not contractual or enforceable. A pastor is called and accepts the call. He does not devote his working life but his whole life to the church and his religion. His duties are defined and his activities are dictated not by contract but by conscience. He is the servant of God. If his manner of serving God is not acceptable to the church, then his pastorate can be brought to an end by the church in accordance with the rules. The law will ensure that a pastor is not deprived of his salaried pastorate save in accordance with the provisions of the book of rules but an industrial tribunal cannot determine whether a reasonable church would sever the link between minister and congregation.’
References: [1986] ICR 280, [1986] 1 WLR 323, [1986] IRLR 194
Judges: Lord Templeman
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
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Last Update: 27 November 2020; Ref: scu.194296 br>

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