Legal Developments
This section contains a summary of court decisions, administrative rulings, and legislative developments that directly affect churches and clergy. Court decisions reflect decisions of all state appellate courts and supreme courts, and all federal courts.
State trial court decisions are not reviewed since they are unpublished and have no value as legal precedent. All of these developments are important, but some are of vital significance. Therefore, each development should be reviewed carefully.
Note that there are many “key points” associated with Legal Developments. These are intended to help you more quickly comprehend the importance of each development. To help you go deeper on a specific topic or issue, the numbered key points in Legal Developments align with the numbered key points in Pastor, Church & Law, Fifth Edition (ChurchLawAndTaxStore.com) and the Legal Library available on ChurchLawAndTax.com.

Newest DevelopmentsView All
A Church’s Insurer Was Not Obligated to Provide a Legal Defense for Congregant Facing a Lawsuit 
A Denominational Office Was Not Liable Because a Pastor Infected His Former Wife with HIV 
Pastor Who Revealed Child’s Suicide During a Funeral Sermon Can’t Be Sued 
Court Barred by “Ministerial Exception” from Deciding a Gay Pastor’s Discrimination Lawsuit 
Volunteer Youth Leader Sentenced to Five Years for Molesting Teen Girl 
- Church Property
- Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers
- Employment Practices
- Charitable Contributions
- Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities
- Freedom of Religion
- Confidential and Privileged Communications
- Zoning
- Clergy - Removal
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates