The principles of abuse of process may apply even though the relevant earlier proceedings have taken place before a foreign court. Citations: [1995] 1 WLR 44 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Motorola Credit Corporation v Uzan and others (No 2) CA 12-Jun-2003 World-wide freezing orders had been made under the 1982 Act. … Continue reading Owens Bank v Etoile Commerciale: 1995
A defendant appealed against an order admitting as evidence, records of ‘without prejudice’ conversations. Held: Written and oral communications, which are made for the purpose of a genuine attempt to compromise a dispute between the parties, may generally not be admitted in evidence. An exception to the rule is where there is shown ‘unambiguous impropriety.’ … Continue reading Berry Trade Ltd and Another v Moussavi and others: CA 22 May 2003
The claimant and defendant had each operated using a the name ‘HotSpot’ for a name for its lottery. The respondent had registered the name as a trade mark. The claimant began to use the name first and claimed in passing off, and the respondent claimed infringement of its mark. Held: The law of passing off … Continue reading Inter Lotto (Uk) Ltd v Camelot Group Plc: CA 30 Jul 2003
Citations: [2004] EWCA Civ 957 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – MCI Worldcom International Inc v Primus Telecommunications Inc ComC 25-Sep-2003 The claimant sought judgment, and the defendant leave to amend its defence. The question was whether the proposed defence had any reasonable prospect of success. Held: The misrepresentation alleged was … Continue reading Primus Telecommunications Plc v MCI Worldcom International Inc: CA 23 Jul 2004
Citations: [2022] CAT 33 Links: Bailii Statutes: Communications Act 2003 192(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Commercial Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.681999
Judges: Lord Justice Dingemans Citations: [2020] EWHC 689 (Admin), [2020] WLR(D) 189 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Communications Act 2003 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Media, Human Rights Updated: 11 November 2022; Ref: scu.649796
Parties to litigation had made without prejudice disclosures. One party sought to give evidence contradicting the dsclosure, and the other now applied for leave to amend based upon the without prejudice statements to be admitted to demonstrate the perjury. Held: The court had to balance the competing needs of fairness and expedition. There was nothing … Continue reading Savings and Investment Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) v Fincken: CA 14 Nov 2003
The Attorney General sought the correct interpretation of section 17 where a court was asked as to whether evidence obtained from a telephone tapping had been taken from a public or private network. A chief constable suspected that the defendants, three of his officers, were selling confidential information to criminals. He ordered their telephones to … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference (No 5 of 2002): HL 14 Oct 2004
Three serving police officers provided confidential information to a known criminal. The Chief Constable authorised interception of telephones at a police station, a private network. The court accepted that section 17 prevented the defence asserting that the interception had taken place on the public side of the system, and therefore admission of other evidence would … Continue reading W, Regina v (Attorney General’s reference no 5 of 2002): CACD 12 Jun 2003
The person in contempt had failed to comply with a series of asset-tracing orders which ‘depended critically’ upon the rightfulness of a default judgment earlier obtained against him. The court did not prevent him challenging the basis of those orders despite being in contempt of them. The court considered the procedure where a contemnor sought … Continue reading Atlantic Capital Corporation v Burney; Atlantic Capital Corporation and Others v Johnson: CA 15 Sep 1994
Citations: [2016] NIMag 1 Links: Bailii Statutes: Communications Act 2003 127 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.558304
Electronic Communications Code – Jurisdiction – whether an operator occupying land under a tenancy to which Pt II, Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 applies may seek new rights under Part 4 of the Code – Parts 4, 5 of Sch.3A, Communications Act 2003 – transitional provisions – Sch.2, Digital Economy Act 2017 Citations: [2019] UKUT … Continue reading Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd v Ashloch Ltd and Another: UTLC 8 Nov 2019
Judges: David Richards J Citations: [2005] EWHC 2990 (Ch), [2006] 3 All ER 755, [2006] 1 WLR 1792 Links: Bailii Statutes: Insolvency Act 1986 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – T and N Limited, Associated Companies of T and N Ltd (In Administration) v Royal and Sun Alliance Plc, and others ChD 9-May-2003 … Continue reading T and N Ltd and others v In the Matter of the Insolvency Act 1986 (Conflict of Law): ChD 21 Dec 2005
Citations: [2004] EWHC 2878 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Insolvency Act 1986 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – T and N Limited, Associated Companies of T and N Ltd (In Administration) v Royal and Sun Alliance Plc, and others ChD 9-May-2003 T and N had exposure to asbestosis claims; these claims were insured by … Continue reading T and N Ltd and Others, Re the Insolvency Act 1986 (Communications): ChD 8 Dec 2004
Judges: David Richards J Citations: [2005] EWHC 2991 (Ch), [2006] Lloyd’s Rep IR 370 Links: Bailii Statutes: Insolvency Act 1986 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – T and N Limited, Associated Companies of T and N Ltd (In Administration) v Royal and Sun Alliance Plc, and others ChD 9-May-2003 T and N had … Continue reading T and N Ltd and Others, In the Matter of the Insolvency Act 1986: ChD 21 Dec 2005
Citations: [2010] CAT 23 Links: Bailii Statutes: Communications Act 2003 192 Commercial, Utilities Updated: 15 September 2022; Ref: scu.441661
The claimant said that the defendant had infriged its rights by the use of its logo on their publications. Judges: Proudman J Citations: [2011] EWHC 1489 (Ch) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Ladbroke (Football) Ltd v William Hill (Football) Ltd HL 1964 What is substantial copyingThe plaintiff alleged copying of their … Continue reading Future Publishing Ltd v The Edge Interactive Media Inc and Others: ChD 13 Jun 2011
(Cayman Islands) An international bank went into liquidation in the Cayman Islands, with liabilities in Bangladesh. A new bank was created in Bangladesh, and the applicants sought to make the new bank liable, and through them the liquidators. Held: The insolvency discharged the debts and the claimants had no case. The intention had been to … Continue reading Wight, Pilling, Mackey v Eckhardt Marine GmbH: PC 14 May 2003
World-wide freezing orders had been made under the 1982 Act. The defendants were members of a Turkish family with substantial business interests in the telecommunications industry. In breach of orders made in the US some defendants had sought to hide their assets. They had failed to respond as required to orders to disclose their assest, … Continue reading Motorola Credit Corporation v Uzan and others (No 2): CA 12 Jun 2003
The cost of the delivery of a quantity of new cars from the factory or depot to the purchaser is incidental and ancillary to the supply of the cars themselves, and the VAT on delivery charges was not reclaimable by the purchasing company as Input Tax. The sale of a car and the delivery to … Continue reading Commissioners of Customs and Excise v British Telecommunications Plc: HL 11 Feb 1999
The claimant sought to restrain publication by the defendant of a book recounting very personal events in her life. She claimed privacy and a right of confidence. The defendant argued that there was a public interest in the disclosures. Held: Documents showed a readiness in the defendant to seek to manipulate the claimant through threats … Continue reading McKennitt and others v Ash and Another: QBD 21 Dec 2005
The applicants sought judicial review of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal’s refusal of leave to appeal. The court had to decide whether such a right survived section 101 of the 2001 Act. Held: The right to have a judicial review could only be removed by the clearest of words. A right remained, but it was severely … Continue reading Regina (G) v Immigration Appeal Tribunal; Regina (M) v Immigration Appeal Tribunal: Admn 25 Mar 2004
The Crown appealed against a ruling that the court would not admit a written statement of a defendant from a related trial implicating the defendant. Held: A Court of Appeal will only interfere with a ruling under the Act if the ruling falls outside the range of reasonable decisions at which the judge could properly … Continue reading Y, Regina v: CACD 25 Jan 2008
The defendant appealed against her conviction under the Act for having sent indecent or grossly offensive material through the post in the form of pictures of an aborted foetus sent to pharmacists. She denied that they were offensive, or that she wished to cause distress, and said she wished to educate the pharmacists as to … Continue reading Connolly v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 15 Feb 2007
The claimant sought to quash a planning decision on the basis that a screening decision had not been made. Held: Though the procedures within the authority could have been bettered, there was no formal requirement for a screening option to have been signed, and the officer who formed the opinion was authorised. There was no … Continue reading Younger Homes (Northern) Ltd v First Secretary of State and Another: Admn 26 Nov 2003
The Competition Appeal Tribunal had remitted a matter to the Office of Fair Trading and had set a time limit for the Commisioner to complete his investigation. The Office appealed. Held: It was not within the CAT’s power, under either the Rules or the Act, to impose such a condition when setting aside a decision … Continue reading Office of Communications and Another v Floe Telecom Ltd: CA 15 Jun 2006
Whether the Competition Appeal Tribunal was right to adopt the starting point that costs should follow the event in an appeal brought under section 192 of the Communications Act 2003. Citations: [2018] EWCA Civ 2542 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Commercial Updated: 05 July 2022; Ref: scu.628692
The court considered the case of Glenister and similar and said: ‘I accept the submission that these cases are not in point to the issue as regards future asbestos claims. There is no element of discretion as regards such claims. If the ingredients of the tort of negligence . . are established, the claimants are … Continue reading In re T and N Ltd and Others, Re Insolvency Act 1986: ChD 14 Dec 2005
The applicant was employed as director-general, with his contract stating that his retirement age would be 70. Nobody else had a similar occupation within the organisation, and he said this therefore constituted his ‘normal age’ for retirement, entitling hiim to claim unfair dismissal. Held: The fact that only one employee was in the applicant’s class, … Continue reading Wall v The British Compressed Air Society: CA 10 Dec 2003
The parties had disputed payments for subcontracting work on a major project. The matter had been referred to arbitration, and the claimants now appealed refusal of leave to appeal the adjudicator’s award. Held: The dispute was complex and substantial. Nevertheless, the adjudicator ‘not only took the initiative in ascertaining the facts but also applied his … Continue reading Carillion Construction Ltd v Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd: CA 16 Nov 2005
The claimant appealed against a refusal of judicial review of a decision of the Lands Tribunal. Held: A decision of the Lands Tribunal could only be judicially reviewed in exceptional cases where there was either a jurisdictional error or a procedural irregularity. The application had been correctly refused. ‘The question of whether certain work is … Continue reading Sinclair Gardens Investments (Kensington) Ltd, Regina (on the Application of) v The Lands Tribunal: CA 8 Nov 2005
The store introduced a system whereby when a customer paid by credit card, the charges made to them for card handling were expressed as a separate amount on the receipt. The store then said that VAT was payable only on the net amount allocated to the goods purchased. Held: The till slip was insufficent to … Continue reading Revenue and Customs v Debenhams Retail Plc: CA 18 Jul 2005
The defendant had, over a period of time, telephoned his MP’s office using racially abusive epithets. He was originally charged under the 1984 Act, but then under the 2003 Act. The magistrates found the remarks offensive, but not so grossly offensive as to constitute an offence under the Act. The prosecutor appealed. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Collins: Admn 23 Jun 2005
Each defendant appealed against convictions associated variously with the cultivation or possession of cannabis resin. They sought to plead medical necessity. There had been medical recommendations to move cannabis to the list of drugs which might be prescribed by a doctor, but this had been rejected. Held: The appeals failed. There was no over-arching principle … Continue reading Quayle and others v Regina, Attorney General’s Reference (No. 2 of 2004): CACD 27 May 2005
The taxpayers sold cable services which were liable to VAT through 28 subsidiaries, and supplied by a third party as part of the same service a listings magazine. They sought exemption from VAT for that part of the consideration related to the magazine. Held: There had in effect to be a novation to convert the … Continue reading Telewest Communications Plc Telewest (Publications) Limited v Commissioners of Customs and Excise: CA 10 Feb 2005
The claimant wished to pursue his claim for defamation against the defendant, but was reluctant to return to the UK to give evidence, fearing arrest and extradition to the US. He appealed refusal of permission to be interviewed on video tape. Held (Majority): The appeal succeeded, and the judge’s order allowing the evidence to be … Continue reading Polanski v Conde Nast Publications Ltd: HL 10 Feb 2005
A medical report in a disability discrimination claim should deal with the doctor’s diagnosis of the impairments, the doctor’s observation of the applicant carrying out day to day activities and the ease with which he was able to perform those functions, together with any relevant opinion as to prognosis and the effect of medication. Morison … Continue reading Vicary v British Telecommunications Plc: EAT 19 Feb 1998
Three appeals raised issues about the way in which sex discrimination laws were to be applied for cases involving sexual orientation. Held: The court should start by asking what gave rise to the act complained of. In this case it was the sexual orientation of the first claimant. Discrimination for sexual orientation does not come … Continue reading MacDonald v Advocate General for Scotland (Scotland); Pearce v Governing Body of Mayfield School: HL 19 Jun 2003
EAT The Council appealed against a finding that the respondent, their employee, was disabled under the 1995 Act. He suffered from a long term mixed anxiety and depression disorder, but the Council disputed that it should have a substantial and long term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal activities. The expert evidence … Continue reading East Sussex County Council v Hancock: EAT 5 Nov 2003
EAT The EAT considered the consequences, of a decision to strike out a Notice of Appearance under Rule 15(2)(d). Held: The EAT will require an employment tribunal, among other things, to consider the proportionality of what it was doing. If a fair trial were not possible on liability, there could still be an order simply … Continue reading Bolch v Chipman: EAT 19 May 2003
EAT Practice and Procedure – Case ManagementIn considering whether or not to strike out or impose some lesser remedy the guiding consideration was the overriding objective which required justice to be done between the parties and that in particular the Tribunal should consider the magnitude of the default, whether the default was the responsibility of … Continue reading Weir Valves and Controls (UK) Ltd v Armitage: EAT 15 Oct 2003
A company incorporated in Jersey comes within the Act for the purposes of the section. An English court has jurisdiction to wind up a foreign company if it has assets here or some other sufficient connection with this country. Judges: Mr Justice Lawrence Collins Citations: [2003] EWHC 2743 (Ch), [2004] 1 WLR 1049, [2004] 1 … Continue reading In the Matter of Drax Holdings Limited and in the Matter of InPower Limited: ChD 17 Nov 2003
The appellant sought to restrain the use in proceedings in New Zealand and elsewhere of ‘without prejudice’ documents discovered in court proceedings here. Held: It was not sensible to elide the distinction between the two sources of justification of the ‘without prejudice’ rules, namely public policy, and an agreement between the parties. Public policy need … Continue reading Prudential Insurance Company of America v Prudential Assurance Company Ltd: CA 31 Jul 2003
The claimant challenged a stautory notice. The Act required the notice to be fixed to the structure in question, but because of its location, the notice was not legible without going on to private land. Held: Appeal lay here from the County Court on a preliminary decision on the law to the Court of appeal … Continue reading Sarah Lloyd Jones and others v T Mobile (Uk) Ltd: CA 31 Jul 2003
Six appeals concerned a number of aspects of the new Conditional Fee Agreement. Held: It should be normal for a CFA, redacted as necessary, to be disclosed for costs proceedings where a success fee is claimed. If a party seeks to rely on the CFA, as a matter of fairness she should ordinarily be put … Continue reading Hollins v Russell etc: CA 22 May 2003
Documents had been prepared by the respondent to support a request for legal advice in anticipation of the Bingham enquiry into the collapse of BCCI. Held: Legal advice privilege attached to the communications between a client and the solicitor where proceedings were not contemplated, but did not attach to supporting documents. Privilege stemmed from the … Continue reading Three Rivers District Council and others v The Governor and Co of the Bank of England (No 5): CA 3 Apr 2003
The applicant appealed against a decision for development granted in the absence of its own decision. The judge had quashed the decision because of the absence of an environmental impact statement. Held: When making the screening decision, it cannot be assumed that at each stage a favourable and satisfactory result will be achieved. There will … Continue reading Bellway Urban Renewal Southern v Gillespie: CA 27 Mar 2003
The pupil had been excluded from school but then ordered to be re-instated. The teachers, through their union, refused to teach him claiming that he was disruptive. The claimant appealed a refusal of an injunction. The injunction had been refused on the basis that this was an employment dispute. The union had failed successfully to … Continue reading In re P (a minor by his mother and litigation friend); P v National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers: HL 27 Feb 2003
ECFI Arbitration clause – Community Trans-European Telecommunications Networks Programme – Contract relating to the organisation of seminars on using Euro-ISDN – Allowable costs. Citations: T-171/01, [2003] EUECJ T-171/01 Links: Bailii European Updated: 06 June 2022; Ref: scu.178754
The land site to be developed was of archaeological interest and the relevance of a mitigation strategy was considered. Held: It is for the planning authority to decide whether there are likely to be significant effects on the environment warranting an environmental statement. They cannot conclude that there would be significant effects, save for the … Continue reading British Telecommunications Plc and Bloomsbury Land Investments v Gloucester City Council: Admn 26 Nov 2001
When a telephone engineer used his position to make unauthorised telephone intercepts, and produced apparent evidence of criminal activity, he was, under the Act, a person engaged in providing a public communications system, and the recordings were not admissible. The phrase ‘engaged in’ could refer either to his status, or that the act was part … Continue reading Regina v Sargent: HL 25 Oct 2001
A scheme of arrangement had been proposed. The creditor complained that in providing for payment in a currency other than that agreed, it had been prejudiced. Held: The provision in the scheme did purport to alter the claimant’s rights. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice David Richards Citations: [2004] EWHC 924 (Ch), Times 27-May-2004 Links: Bailii … Continue reading In re Telewest Communications Plc: ChD 26 Apr 2004
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS CODE – CODE RIGHTS – access to buildings – whether Code rights include rights of access to assess the suitability of a building for the installation of electronic communications apparatus – whether interim rights to be granted – paragraphs 3, 20, 21 and 26, Electronic Communication Code – Schedule 3A, Communications Act 2003 … Continue reading Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd v The University of London Re: Lillian Penson Hall: UTLC 30 Oct 2018
Citations: [2003] UKEAT 0913 – 02 – 0703 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – British Telecommunications plc v Reid CA 6-Oct-2003 The respondent appealed an award of pounds 10.000 for damages for an act of direct race discrimination. The claimant, of Afro-Caribbean origin, had been subjected to a racist comment. … Continue reading British Telecommunications Plc v Reid: EAT 7 Mar 2003
The respondent appealed an award of pounds 10.000 for damages for an act of direct race discrimination. The claimant, of Afro-Caribbean origin, had been subjected to a racist comment. Held: Translating hurt feelings into hard currency will always be an artificial exercise (Vento). The reasons for the award of aggravated damages were apparent from the … Continue reading British Telecommunications plc v Reid: CA 6 Oct 2003
Sexual harassment was defined as ‘unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, or other conduct based upon sex affecting dignity at work’. It would be no defence to a complaint of sexual harassment that a person of the opposite sex would have been similarly treated. In general in cases of sexual harassment there is no necessity … Continue reading British Telecommunications Plc v Williams: EAT 3 Jun 1997
Legal Aid was wrongfully refused where a tax or fine defaulter was liable to imprisonment, and the lack of a proper means enquiry, made imprisonment of poll tax defaulter unlawful. A poll tax defaulter had been wrongly committed to prison by magistrates. The question was whether or not they had acted in excess of jurisdiction. … Continue reading Benham v United Kingdom: ECHR 8 Feb 1995
The parties had lived together in a house owned in the defendant’s name and in which she claimed an interest. The claimant’s solicitors notified NCIS that they thought the defendant had acted illegally in setting off against his VAT liability the VAT on works carried out on his own property. Because of the delay which … Continue reading Bowman v Fels (Bar Council and Others intervening): CA 8 Mar 2005
There are powerful policy reasons for admitting in evidence as exceptions to the without prejudice rule only the very clearest of cases. Unless this highly beneficial rule is most scrupulously and jealously protected, it will all too readily become eroded. The taped without prejudice conversation might have been taken to contain an admission by the … Continue reading Fazil-Alizadeh v Nikbin: CA 25 Feb 1993
The court discussed the need to take notes of meetings in chambers between the judge and counsel. The court set out four principles to be applied: ‘1. There should be freedom of access for counsel to judges, but that does not mean freedom to discuss matters which can perfectly well be discussed in open court. … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference (No 3 of 2003) (Rogan): CANI 2001
The defendant sought to appeal against a decision of the High Court on a case stated by the Magistrates. Held: A decision by the High Court on an appeal by way of case stated from the Magistrates was final, and no further appeal lay to the Court of Appeal. The Order did not avoid the … Continue reading Westminster City Council v O’Reilly and others: CA 1 Jul 2003
‘The privilege with regard to confidential communications between solicitor and client for professional purposes ought to be preserved, and not frittered away. The reason of the privilege is that there may be that free and confident communication between solicitor and client which lies at the foundation of the use and service of the solicitor to … Continue reading Pearce v Foster: CA 1885
Telephone tapping evidence consisting of tapping records are to be destroyed after their use for the purpose obtained, but a prosecution was not within that purpose. The underlying purpose of the 1985 Act is to protect information as to the authorisation and carrying out of official intercepts. Evidence obtained mught be used to suggest further … Continue reading Regina v Preston, Preston, Clarke Etc: HL 5 Nov 1993
The appellant had been made subject to a suspended committal to prison. He was involved with children proceedings, and had published details on the Internet which would make the social worker traceable. Held: Where a contempt was not committed in the face of the court or was not a disobedience of a court order, only … Continue reading In re G (a Child) (Contempt: Committal): CA 10 Apr 2003
Electronic Communications Code – Removal of Apparatus – whether neighbouring landowner has right to require removal of electronic communications apparatus from route of proposed new access – paras 38, 40, Sch.3A, Communications Act 2003 – reference dismissed Citations: [2019] UKUT 127 (LC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land, Utilities Updated: 27 April 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Evolution (Shinfield) Llp v British Telecommunications Plc [2019] UkUT 127 (LC): UTLC 15 Apr 2019
The Director General of Telecommunications can quite properly use his powers and discretion to ensure competition in telecommunications by the granting and withholding of licences. He may take account of economic factors in making such a decision. Section 3 draws a distinction between ‘means’ (namely how the demand is to be met) and ‘ends’ (the … Continue reading Regina v Director General of Telecommunications, Ex P Cellcom Ltd and others: QBD 7 Dec 1998
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS CODE – NEW AGREEMENT OR MODIFICATION – water tower – consideration and compensation – assumption of vacant possession – relative merits of market transactions and Tribunal decisions as comparables – recovery of professional fees incurred before order conferring Code right – paras 24, 34, Schedule 3A, Communications Act 2003 Citations: [2022] UKUT 8 … Continue reading EE Ltd and Another v Affinity Water Ltd (Electronic Communications Code – New Agreement or Modification – Water Tower – Consideration and Compensation): UTLC 17 Jan 2022
The complainant requested statistics which formed the basis for a report produced by OFCOM. The information was withheld under section 44 of the Act (prohibitions on disclosure). OFCOM stated that the relevant statutory prohibition was section 393 of the Communications Act 2003. The Commissioner has considered the complaint and is satisfied that the requested information … Continue reading Office of Communications (Decision Notice): ICO 22 Jul 2009
The claimant anti-asbestos campaigners complained that the defendant investigators had infringed their various rights of privacy. They now sought discovery to support the claim. Held: the contents of the witness statements do show that it is more than speculative that these Claimants could, if their recollection was prompted by seeing documents, formulate a claim with … Continue reading Bains and Others v Moore and Others: QBD 15 Feb 2017
The House asked whether the personal administration of a drug such as a vaccine by an NHS doctor to a patient is a taxable supply for the purposes of value added tax. The provision of medical care in the exercise of the medical and paramedical professions should be exempt from VAT, but the supply of … Continue reading Beynon and Partners v Customs and Excise: HL 25 Nov 2004
ECJ Reference for a preliminary ruling: Arbeitsgericht Lorrach – Germany. Social policy – Protection of the health and safety of workers – Directive 93/104/EC – Scope – Emergency workers in attendance in ambulances in the framework of an emergency service run by the German Red Cross – Definition of ‘road transport’ – Maximum weekly working … Continue reading Pfeiffer v Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, Kreisverband Waldshut eV (1): ECJ 5 Oct 2004
An agreement was made for the assignment of the copyright in a music track, but it remained ‘subject to contract’. The assignor later sought to resile from the assignment. Held: It is standard practice in the music licensing business for a licensee and a licensor to enter into a deal memo followed by a long … Continue reading Confetti Records (A Firm), Fundamental Records, Andrew Alcee v Warner Music UK Ltd (Trading As East West Records): ChD 23 May 2003
The complainant requested a copy of ‘the IPCC complaint referred to in [Ofcom’s] Broadcast Bulletin Issue 114 of 21 July 2008. The public authority initially refused the request under the exemption provided by section 44 of the Act, that disclosure of the information was prohibited under any other enactment. Ofcom cited the prohibition on disclosure … Continue reading Office of Communications (Decision Notice): ICO 14 Dec 2009
The claimant said that the defendant’s characterisation of its own products as ‘Good for You’ by reference to a description saying that it did not include the claimant’s product as a component, was a malicious falsehood. The defendant sold other products which did include Aspartame. The court was asked to determine the meanings. Held: The … Continue reading Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe Sas v Asda Stores Ltd: QBD 15 Jul 2009
The claimant, a patient hld at Rampton Hospital faced charges of attempted murder of two nurses. His lwayers had asked for the right to see their client in private, but eth Hospital objected, insisting on the presence of two nurses at all times. They said this was to protect both the lawyers and the client … Continue reading Brown, Regina v: CACD 29 Jul 2015
The clamants sought orders under the 1998 Act for disclosure of documents about them by the defendant solicitors and others. The defendants said that the request would require the consideration of a very large number of documents, considering in each case whether they would require discovery and or were protected by legal professional privilege, and … Continue reading Dawson-Damer and Others v Taylor Wessing Llp and Others: ChD 6 Aug 2015
‘The appeal concerns a proposed development by Crisp Maltings Group Ltd (‘CMGL’) at their Great Ryburgh plant in Norfolk, in the area of the North Norfolk District Council (‘the council’). It was opposed by the appellant, Mr Matthew Champion, a member of the Ryburgh Village Action Group. The proposal involved the erection of two silos … Continue reading Champion, Regina (on The Application of) v North Norfolk District Council and Another: SC 22 Jul 2015
Unrelated Detriment was no Discrimination The tenant had left his flat and sublet it so as to allow the landlord authority an apparently unanswerable claim for possession. The authority appealed a finding that they had to take into account the fact that the tenant was disabled and make reasonable adjustments. Held: The authority’s appeal succeeded. … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm: HL 25 Jun 2008
The Attorney General appealed against a decision for the release under the Act and Regulations of letters from HRH The Prince of Wales to various ministers and government departments. Held: The appeal failed (Majority). The A-G had not been free to rely upon section 53 to issue a certificate avoiding the requirement to disclose the … Continue reading Evans and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Attorney General: SC 26 Mar 2015
A letter sent by fax constituted a validly ‘deposited’ notice to convene an extraordinary general meeting under section 368 of the Companies Act 1985. The Vice-Chancellor noted that by that time the Electronic Communications Act 2000 enabled specific modifications to be made to authorise communication by electronic means under existing statutes, including the Companies Act. … Continue reading PNC Telecom plc v Thomas: 2003
[2015] UKFTT 2014 – 0213 (GRC) Bailii Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 England and Wales Information Updated: 30 December 2021; Ref: scu.548062
The defendant appealed against an unsuccessful application to exclude evidence where it was claimed there had been incitement by an agent provocateur. Held: The appeal failed. There is no defence of entrapment in English law. All evidence which is relevant is prima facie admissible in a criminal trial, although the trial judge has a discretion … Continue reading Regina v Sang: HL 25 Jul 1979
(Upheld) Devlin J [1952] 1 KB 236 England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Armstrong v Strain QBD 1951 armstrong_strainQBD1951The necessary knowledge for the tort of deceit could not be found by adding the innocent mind of a principal, who knew facts which showed what his agent said to be untrue but did not know … Continue reading Armstrong v Strain: CA 1952
T and N had exposure to asbestosis claims; these claims were insured by Lloyd’s but on terms that if payments were to be made, T and N should make certain reimbursements to Lloyd’s. T and N then insured with a captive company known as Curzon their liability to make such reimbursements. Lloyd’s called on T … Continue reading T and N Limited, Associated Companies of T and N Ltd (In Administration) v Royal and Sun Alliance Plc, and others: ChD 9 May 2003
The applicants sought to challenge a proposed scheme regulating the prices of telephone calls. Held: The principle objection was to termination charges, charges on calls between networks. The present charges were greater than the actual cost, and had the effect of transferring to users of fixed network telephones costs which were properly attributable to mobile … Continue reading Regina on the Application of T-Mobile (Uk) Ltd, Vodafone Ltd, Orange Personal Communication Services Ltd v The Competition Commission, the Director-General of Telecommunications: Admn 27 Jun 2003
Ruling on application to amend. Applications re overcharging allegations. Roth J [2014] CAT 4 Bailii Communications Act 2003 186 Commercial Updated: 20 December 2021; Ref: scu.535732
Cargo owners sought damages for their cargo which had been damaged aboard the ship. The contract had been endorsed with additional terms. That variation may have changed the contract from a charterer’s to a shipowner’s bill. Held: The specific terms added prevailed over the standard terms printed on the bill of lading. The bill was … Continue reading Homburg Houtimport BV v Agrosin Private Ltd (the ‘Starsin’): HL 13 Mar 2003
The appellant challenged challenged the imposition of certain conditions on its licence under the 2003 Act. The Office had acted to seek to prevent acts prejudicial to consumers. Held: The appeal succeeded. The Office of Communications had jurisdiction under the section to impose conditions in broadcasting licences where the practices of licenceholders made it appropriate … Continue reading British Telecommunicatons Plc v Office of Communications and Others: CA 17 Feb 2014
This appeal concerns the correct application of section 86(1)(b) of the Communications Act 2003 McFarlane LJ, Sir Bernard Rix, Sitr Timothy Lloyd [2013] EWCA Civ 1318 Bailii England and Wales Commercial, Media Updated: 23 November 2021; Ref: scu.517236
Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls [2021] EWCA Civ 1534 Bailii, Judiciary Communications Act 2003 England and Wales Media, Human Rights Updated: 22 November 2021; Ref: scu.668913
A DNA sample had been wrongfully retained after the suspect had been acquitted, and the sample had been used in a later investigation to identify him. A subsequent sample had been taken, and the result of that second test had been used as evidence at trial. The defendant objected, and claimed that it had been … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference (No 3 of 1999) (Lynn): HL 15 Dec 2000
The claimant alleged infringement by the defendant of assorted intellectual property rights in its database. It provided systems for recovering materials deleted from Nokia mobile phones. Held: ‘the present case is concerned with a collection of numerical data . . the individual items of data are not protected by copyright. It follows that the collection … Continue reading Forensic Telecommunications Services Ltd v West Yorkshire Police and Another: ChD 9 Nov 2011
The defendant company appealed against an order re-instating the claimants’ claims for damages for race discrimination and victimisation after they had been struck out for wilful disobedience of the tribunal’s orders. Held: When making a strike-out order, there were two cardinal conditions at least one of which must be met. Either the unreasonable conduct has … Continue reading Blockbuster Entertainment Ltd v James: CA 25 May 2006
The complainant has requested: correspondence between various individuals at Nottingham City Council and representatives of Nottinghamshire Police between October 2009 and December 1, 2010, in relation to investigations undertaken by Nottinghamshire Police and/or by the District Auditor into the misallocation of council houses in the city between 2003 and 2005. The Commissioner’s decision is that … Continue reading Nottingham City Council (Decision Notice) FS50400014: ICO 9 Jul 2012
The system under which the registered keeper of a vehicle was obliged to identify herself as the driver, and such admission was to be used subsequently as evidence against her on a charge of driving with excess alcohol, was not a breach of her right to a fair trial. The right not to give evidence … Continue reading Stott (Procurator Fiscal, Dunfermline) and Another v Brown: PC 5 Dec 2000
PC (Isle of Man) The petitioner sought disclosure of trust documents, as a beneficiary. Disclosure had been refused as he had not been a named beneficiary. Held: Times had moved on, and trust documents had taken more and more indirect ways of conferring benefits. The settlements were badly drafted, but that should not be used … Continue reading Vadim Schmidt v Rosewood Trust Limited: PC 27 Mar 2003
apishristovichECJ2009 Europa Directive 96/9/EC Legal protection of databases – Sui generis right – Obtaining, verification or presentation of the contents of a database – Extraction – Substantial part of the contents of a database – Database containing official legal data.APIS had collected a database of legal materials. They alleged unlawful extraction and re-utilisation by the … Continue reading Apis-Hristovich v Lakorda AD (Approximation Of Laws): ECJ 5 Mar 2009
Grounds for non-disclosure treated cumulatively An applicant had requested disclosure of information regarding the environmental impact of electro-magnetic radiation from mobile phones. The court considered the balance between the need to disclose information and the maintaining of exceptions to disclosure in the public interest, in the context of third party intellectual property rights. The tribunal … Continue reading Office of Communications v The Information Commissioner: CA 20 Feb 2009
The claimants had sought to recover from the General Council of the Bar damages for libel in a communication from the head of the Bar Council’s Professional Standards and Legal Services Department to all heads of chambers, their senior clerks and practice managers to the effect that the claimants were not solicitors and were thus … Continue reading Kearns and Others v The General Council of the Bar: CA 17 Mar 2003
The claimant’s house was regularly flooded by waters including also foul sewage from the respondent’s neighbouring premises. He sought damages and an injunction. The defendants sought to restrict the claimant to his statutory rights. Held: The damages were restricted to the statutory ones. The defendant was regulated under the 1991 Act by the Director-General, who … Continue reading Marcic v Thames Water Utilities Limited: HL 4 Dec 2003
