Williamson, R (on the application of) v Dean & Chapter Of St Paul's Cathedral & Anor [1997] EWHC Admin 784 (22nd August, 1997)

Williamson, R (on the application of) v Dean & Chapter Of St Paul's Cathedral & Anor [1997] EWHC Admin 784 (22nd August, 1997)

The applicant's arguments are unarguable and without reasonable grounds. The Charter's language is not gender-exclusive, and the court has no jurisdiction over doctrinal matters in the Church in Wales. The applicant lacks standing regarding the Church in Wales, and any questions at St Paul's must be referred to the Visitor. The applicant is subject to a Civil Proceedings Order for vexatious litigation, further justifying refusal of leave.

Citation
[1997] EWHC Admin 784
Parties
Applicant: Paul Williamson; First Respondent: Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral; Second Respondent: Church in Wales
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Application for Leave to Move for Judicial Review
Outcome
Leave to move for judicial review refused; applications dismissed.
Legal Topics
Vexatious Proceedings, Ordination of Women, Locus Standi, Jurisdiction of Temporal Courts, Interpretation of Royal Charter
Administrative Law Ecclesiastical Law Vexatious Proceedings Ordination of Women Locus Standi Jurisdiction of Temporal Courts Interpretation of Royal Charter

Case Brief

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Parties

Paul Williamson

Applicant

Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral

First Respondent

Church in Wales

Second Respondent

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review / Application for Leave to Move for Judicial Review

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the applicant has reasonable grounds for judicial review regarding the appointment of a woman as Minor Canon at St Paul's Cathedral
  2. 2 Whether the applicant has locus standi to challenge the ordination of women in the Church in Wales
  3. 3 Whether the court has jurisdiction over doctrinal matters in the Church in Wales

Ratio Decidendi

The applicant's arguments are unarguable and without reasonable grounds. The Charter's language is not gender-exclusive, and the court has no jurisdiction over doctrinal matters in the Church in Wales. The applicant lacks standing regarding the Church in Wales, and any questions at St Paul's must be referred to the Visitor. The applicant is subject to a Civil Proceedings Order for vexatious litigation, further justifying refusal of leave.

Court Disposition

Leave to move for judicial review refused; applications dismissed.

Orders

  • Refusal of leave under section 42(3) Supreme Court Act 1981 to institute proceedings
  • Both applications dismissed