(1)Religion means any religion and a reference to religion includes a reference to a lack of religion.
(2)Belief means any religious or philosophical belief and a reference to belief includes a reference to a lack of belief.
(3)In relation to the protected characteristic of religion or belief—
(a)a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a reference to a person of a particular religion or belief;
(b)a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference to persons who are of the same religion or belief.
Cases considering section 10 29
[2019] EWCA Civ 1720 · 17 October 2019Interprets
Interprets the philosophical-belief issue by holding that a dispute over the wording of a copyright agreement, without causal connection to the pleaded belief, is not itself a philosophical belief. (see paras [26]-[30])
Applies the protected-belief provision to distinguish a philosophical belief from a disagreement about contractual wording or interpretation. (see paras [24], [26], [29]-[30])
[2026] EAT 84 · 4 August 2026
Applies the protected-belief framework to uphold the finding that the specified beliefs qualified for protection. Political subject matter and a single-issue focus did not exclude them. (see paras [137]-[138])
Applies the definition of belief as a religious or philosophical belief and confirms that the pleaded political beliefs could satisfy the philosophical-belief criteria. (see paras [104]; [138])
[2026] EAT 77 · 29 May 2026Defines
Applies the statutory protection for belief to the tribunal’s identified treatment belief. The appeal did not determine whether the no-systemic-racism belief itself independently satisfied the belief definition. (see paras [37]-[42])
Applies the statutory definition of belief, including religious or philosophical belief and lack of belief. The tribunal’s finding that the treatment belief was protected was not challenged, but the manifestation analysis remained decisive. (see paras [12], [39], [42])
9 more judgments, and what each says about section 10, are in the
case-law panel in the full Act.
51.This section defines the protected characteristic of religion or religious or philosophical belief, which is stated to include for this purpose a lack of religion or belief. It is a broad definition in line with the freedom of thought, conscience and religion guaranteed by Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The main limitation for the purposes of Article 9 is that the religion must have a clear structure and belief system. Denominations or sects within a religion can be considered to be a religion or belief, such as Protestants and Catholics within Christianity.
52.The criteria for determining what is a “philosophical belief” are that it must be genuinely held; be a belief and not an opinion or viewpoint based on the present state of information available; be a belief as to a weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour; attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance; and be worthy of respect in a democratic society, compatible with human dignity and not conflict with the fundamental rights of others. So, for example, any cult involved in illegal activities would not satisfy these criteria. The section provides that people who are of the same religion or belief share the protected characteristic of religion or belief. Depending on the context, this could mean people who, for example, share the characteristic of being Protestant or people who share the characteristic of being Christian.
53.This section replaces similar provisions in the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 and the Equality Act 2006.