Church leaders are hailing a “crucial moment for the freedom of the church in Scotland” as they face the Scottish Government in court over the criminalisation of communal worship during lockdown.

They will be presenting evidence at a court hearing taking place online on Thursday and Friday, two days after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that communal worship could resume with restrictions from 26 March. 

The 27 leaders come from the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), the Free Church of Scotland, the Church of Scotland, and a number of independent churches.