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Legal Developments

Issues that affect ministers and churches
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StateTitle Category

A Church’s Insurer Was Not Obligated to Provide a Legal Defense for Congregant Facing a Lawsuit Member access only

Defamation

Court Rejects Ministry’s Claim That It Is Exempt from All Taxes and Regulation Member access only

Tax Exemption

Pastor Guilty of Securities Fraud Member access only

Fraud

Woman Could Sue Her Former High School for Negligent Supervision in Abuse Claim Member access only

Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Teachers at a Religious Preschool Not Considered Ministers Member access only

Employment Practices

Clergy-Penitent Privilege Not Applicable to a Conversation with a Church Elder Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Church Not Obligated to Return Undesignated Contributions Member access only

Charitable Contributions

Church Not Responsible for Pedestrian Accident Near Premises Member access only

Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities

Court Ruled a University Has a Duty to Protect Others from Foreseeable Violence Member access only

Personal Injuries on Church Property or During Church Activities

Provisions in Decedent’s Will Could Be Reformed by Recourse Based on Religious Charities’ Extrinsic Evidence Member access only

Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Pastor’s Confession of Embezzlement Admissible Due to Lack of Coercion Member access only

California Court Rejects Religious School’s Motion to Dismiss Disability Discrimination Claim Member access only

Employment Practices

Privacy on Church Devices Member access only

Invasion of Privacy

Court Applies "Ministerial Exception" to Church Discrimination Case Member access only

Denominations - Legal Liability; Employment Practices; Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Ascending Liability Claims Member access only

Denominations - Legal Liability

Caught on Camera Member access only

Protection of Charitable Donations Member access only

Bankruptcy; Charitable Contributions

Dismissing a Minister for Wrongdoing Member access only

Clergy - Removal; Employment Practices

Whistleblower Protections for Church Employees Member access only

Employment Practices

Church Disaffiliation Property Dispute Member access only

Church Property