Statement regarding Christian Concern

Fitzwilliam College notes and welcomes the Court’s decision today to refuse Christian Concern’s claim for judicial review.

The College continues to welcome conference bookings from a wide range of groups and organisations, with different beliefs and interests, including many religious groups.

For Background

Fitz Events, the conference business of Fitzwilliam College, declined an out-of-term, five day, private, commercial booking of residential facilities for September 2022, requested by the Wilberforce Academy (https://wilberforceacademy.org.uk), a ministry of Christian Concern (https://christianconcern.com/about/) in February 2022.

Legal representatives of Christian Concern contacted the College at the end of March regarding the decision to decline the booking. The College reconsidered its decision and then offered the organisation to host its event on new dates, since fixed, College-related events (Graduations and a Reunion) had now filled the facilities available.

Christian Concern did not take up this offer made by the College.

Christian Concern submitted a Claim Form seeking leave to apply for judicial review with the Court in May 2022.  The Court dismissed the claim in July 2022 and awarded an element of the costs to the College. Christian Concern submitted a renewal notice in relation to the claim. An oral hearing took place on 15th September 2022, which again refused Christian Concern permission to bring a judicial review claim but stated they could transfer a claim to the county court.

15th September 2022