Trustees of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Appellant) v BXB (Respondent)

Case summary

Case ID

UKSC/2021/0089

Parties

Appellant(s)

Trustees of Barry Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses

Respondent(s)

BXB

Issue

Did the Court of Appeal wrongly find the appellant, part of the Jehovah's Witness organisation, to be vicariously liable for a rape committed by one of their elders?

Facts

In 1990, the respondent, Mrs B, was raped by an elder of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Mark Sewell, at his home, after they had been out evangelising together. Mr Sewell was convicted of raping Mrs B, and of indecently assaulting two other people, in 2014.In 2017, Mrs B brought a claim for damages against the worldwide governing body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Watchtower and Bible Tract Society of Pennsylvania, and the appellant, the Trustees of the Congregation. She claimed that they were responsible in law (or, “vicariously liable”) for the rape, because of the nature of their relationship with Mr Sewell and because of the connection between that relationship and the commission of the rape. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal found in Mrs B's favour. The appellant now appeals to the Supreme Court.

Date of issue

12 April 2021

Judgment appealed

Judgment details

Judgment date

26 April 2023

Neutral citation

[2023] UKSC 15

Judgment links

Judgment summary

26 April 2023

Appeal

Justices

Lord Reed

Lord Hodge

Lord Briggs

Lord Burrows

Lord Stephens

Hearing dates

Full hearing

Start date

13 February 2023

End date

14 February 2023

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