Hewitt & Gilpin act for Ashers Baking Co in Landmark Supreme Court Ruling

Lee v Ashers Baking Company Ltd and others [2018] UKSC 49. "The Gay Cake Case"

On 10th October 2018 the UK Supreme Court delivered its judgement in the case of Lee v Ashers Baking Company Ltd and others [2018] UKSC 49, in what has become known as "the gay cake case".

In their unanimous judgement, the Court accepted the agruments put forward on behalf of Ashers and the McArthurs, namely that there was no discrimination against the respondent, Mr Lee. Importantly the Court also held that people and businesses should not be compelled to say something with which they profoundly disagree.

Our solicitor, Brian Roulston, who acted for the company and its Directors, said afterwards:

"I am delighted with the result we were able to achieve for Ashers Baking Company and Colin and Karen McArthur.

I always firmly believed that Ashers had not discriminated against Mr Lee - the only problem they had with the order sought was the message on the cake, not the customer.

The decision has also now established that businesses cannot and should not be forced to promote messages or campaigns with which they disagree. Ashers' victory is a victory for freedom of speech and conscience, in respect of which all will benefit".