Pre Court News

We have heard no word from the FCC, and so we take it that they are definitely going ahead with their Case against us in the Court of Session beginning 10am tomorrow (Tuesday 12th). Our defence, of course, has been prepared and submitted to the Court a long time ago and our Lawyers are instructed and ready to present a robust defence. Three weeks is allocated to this hearing and the Court will sit Tuesday to Friday of each week.

We ought to pray especially for our Senior Counsel, John Wright; our Junior Counsel, Ruth Charteris (Morrison); and our solicitor, John Miller. Ruth particularly will have a heavy burden of responsibility. Pray also that the Judge would have the necessary wisdom to deal with this highly unusual case.

Members of the Church's Legal Group, of course, will not be directly involved in the legal proceedings, but some will be present representing the Free Church, and particularly Rev James Maciver and myself for whom prayer will be much appreciated.

The next three weeks will be what is called a "Debate" - it is about the relevancy of the FCC's case. This is similar to a Presbytery's deciding on relevancy in a libel case. It is to decide whether, even if all the facts that the FCC allege were true, they are entitled to the remedy they are seeking. This may sound rather legal and abstruse, but in fact it is a major question. Many of the facts are not in dispute. What is in dispute is whether they have been able to state where "the right of continued protest" (so called) is in the Constitution of the Free Church.

I hope to issue regular news items on how the case is proceeding.

Alex MacDonald
Media Officer