Model Laura Lacole and Leeds United's Eunan O'Kane outside the High Court in Belfast. PIC: PA <\/p>\n
09:04 Saturday 10 June 2017 <\/p>\n
A court ruling granting a Leeds United footballer and his model fiancee legal recognition of their looming humanist wedding is set to be appealed. <\/p>\n
Laura Lacole and Whites midfielder Eunan OKane mounted a successful challenge against the authorities in Northern Ireland for refusing to recognise their June 22 ceremony in law. <\/p>\n
But Fridays decision in Belfast High Court is now to be appealed by Northern Irelands Attorney General John Larkin QC. <\/p>\n
Ms Lacole and Mr OKane launched the legal bid after learning their planned humanist wedding in Ballymenas luxury Galgorm Resort would not be recognised in law. For such recognition, they were told, they would need to have a separate civil ceremony. <\/p>\n
The couple took the case against the General Register Office for Northern Ireland and Stormonts Department of Finance. <\/p>\n
Mr Larkin also participated in the hearing because it touched on devolved Stormont legislation. <\/p>\n
On Friday, Judge Mr Justice Colton quashed the GROs refusal to grant legal recognition, finding such a position breached the couples rights under the European Convention. <\/p>\n
Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, which is supporting the couples case, said his was disappointed by the appeal. <\/p>\n
This is a very disappointing development given the comprehensive nature of the judgment and is deeply upsetting for both Laura and Eunan, who were so happy to have had certainty in relation to their wedding later this month, he said. <\/p>\n
Humanism is a non-religious belief system that rejects the concepts of a higher deity or afterlife. <\/p>\n
Humanists adhere to a scientific view of the world and believe humans steer their own destiny. <\/p>\n
Humanist marriages are already legally recognised in Scotland, but not in England and Wales. They are also recognised in the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n
{* loginWidget *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *} <\/p>\n
Email Address {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} Password {* traditionalSignIn_password *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalRegistration_firstName *} {* traditionalRegistration_lastName *} {* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *} {* traditionalRegistration_password *} {* traditionalRegistration_passwordConfirm *} {* traditionalRegistration_displayName *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_firstName *} {* socialRegistration_lastName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_jpCommsOptIn *} <\/p>\n
Registering with Yorkshire Evening Post means you're ok with our terms and conditions. <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_captcha *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_firstName *} {* socialRegistration_lastName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} <\/p>\n
{* socialRegistration_jpCommsOptIn *} <\/p>\n
By registering you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions of the website. <\/p>\n
You're almost there.We've just sent a confirmation email to . Check it out to confirm your registration. <\/p>\n
We are unable to send your welcome email at this time. Please try again later by clicking the resend welcome email link from your profile page. <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} <\/p>\n
{* newpassword *} {* newpasswordConfirm *} <\/p>\n
{| foundExistingAccountText |}. Either connect these accounts, or create new one using a different email address. <\/p>\n
{| existing_provider |} <\/p>\n
{| existing_displayName |} <\/p>\n
{| current_emailAddress |} <\/p>\n
{| rendered_existing_provider_photo |} <\/p>\n
Created at {| existing_createdDate |} <\/p>\n
Email is already registered with OtherSite. You'll be able to use the same account on current Site. Alternatively, you can create a new account with another email address. <\/p>\n
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* mergePassword *} <\/p>\n
Enter your postcode so we can keep you up-to-date with the latest local news and exciting deals. <\/p>\n
is already registered with . You will be able to use the same account on . Alternatively, you can create a new account with another email address. <\/p>\n
Validating <\/p>\n
Email address is required. <\/p>\n
We have sent a confirmation email to . Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. <\/p>\n
We are unable to process your request at this time. Please try again later. <\/p>\n
Congratulations, you've just sealed the deal! Sign in to your profile now to get started. <\/p>\n
That's it, you're all done! Close this window to start browsing the site now or click here to go to your profile <\/p>\n
Unfortunately that verification link has expired. To get a new one, just sign in to your profile now and resend the verification email. <\/p>\n
Unfortunately that verification link has expired. To get a new one, just resend the verification email by going to your profile page. <\/p>\n
Are you sure you want to remove this linked account? <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Read this article:<\/p>\n
Leeds United footballer and model's humanist wedding ruling to be appealed - Yorkshire Evening Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Model Laura Lacole and Leeds United's Eunan O'Kane outside the High Court in Belfast. PIC: PA 09:04 Saturday 10 June 2017 A court ruling granting a Leeds United footballer and his model fiancee legal recognition of their looming humanist wedding is set to be appealed. Laura Lacole and Whites midfielder Eunan OKane mounted a successful challenge against the authorities in Northern Ireland for refusing to recognise their June 22 ceremony in law. Continue reading