Application under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 by Her Majesty’s Attorney General for leave to refer a sentence to this court because it appears to him to be unduly lenient. Conviction for grievous bodily harm and sentence of five years and five months, Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 228 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading Reference 99 of 2005 By the Attorney General, Re S.36 Criminal Justice Act 1988: CACD 15 Feb 2006
The defendant was accused of a sexual offence alleged to have been committed some 15 years earlier. He asked the magistrates to dismiss the charge as an abuse of process, and now appealed their refusal. Held: The onus was on the accused to show, to a civil standard that a fair trial could not now … Continue reading Regina v Telford Justices, ex parte Badhan: CACD 1991
The AG sought to refer to the court as unduly lenient a sentence of 100 hours community service for causing death by dangerous driving. The had been seen driving erratically along the M6, when he veered onto the hard shoulder colliding with an unlit vehicle, killing the driver. Held: Falling asleep at the wheel usually … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference No 26 of 1999 Under Section 36 of Criminal Justice Act 1988; Regina v Gastinger: CACD 29 Jul 1999
Application for variation of criminal restraint order. Judges: Beatson J Citations: [2008] EWHC 3375 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 04 August 2022; Ref: scu.293965
The Court considered the procedures when a prisoner is kept in solitary confinement, otherwise described as ‘segregation’ or ‘removal from association’, and principally whether decisions to keep the appellants in segregation for substantial periods were taken lawfully. Held: The segregation was not authorised by the applicable legislation: ‘rule 45 . . (1) enables the governor … Continue reading Bourgass and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 29 Jul 2015
The principal, although not only, issue raised in these judicial review proceedings is by reference to the application of s.133 of the 1988 Act to the circumstances of this case: in particular, and putting it in a short-hand way, whether the late appreciation that the applicant all along had a potentially complete defence to the … Continue reading Andukwa, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: Admn 28 Nov 2014
The defendant appealed a refusal of a certificate of inadequacy to an amount due under a confiscation order, saying that the court had wrongly allowed for the value of a consultancy agreement under which he was entitled to receive an annual fee for his services. Held: The value of the contract was not realisable property … Continue reading In the Matter of Christopher Adams, In the Matter of the Criminal Justice Act 1988: Admn 26 Nov 2004
The Court considered the following question: ‘What is the correct interpretation of the term ‘person acting in an official capacity’ in section 134(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; in particular does it include someone who acts otherwise than in a private and individual capacity for or on behalf of an organisation or body which … Continue reading TRA, Regina v (Redacted Judgment): SC 13 Nov 2019
The three claimants had each been convicted of murders and served time. Their convictions had been reversed eventually, and they now appealed against the refusal of compensation for imprisonment, saying that there had been a miscarriage of justice. Held: The appeal of Adams was denied, but those of MacDermott and McCartney allowed (by majority). The … Continue reading Adams, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 11 May 2011
The applicant sought a Certificate of Inadequacy as regards an unsatisfield confiscation order of andpound;750,000. Nicola Davies J [2014] EWHC 2639 (Admin) Bailii Criminal Justice Act 1988 83 Criminal Sentencing Updated: 20 December 2021; Ref: scu.535675
Ontario Court of Appeal – ‘In our view a trial judge confronted with an exceptional case where legal aid has been refused and who is of the opinion that representation of the accused by counsel is essential to a fair trial may, upon being satisfied that the accused lacks the means to employ counsel, stay … Continue reading Regina v Rowbotham and others: 1988
The solicitor had successfully appealed against an order for a contribution to the other party’s legal costs, after his clerk had filed statements in court which he knew to be misleading. The solicitor’s appeal had been successful. Held: The Court of Appeal’s decision was reversed. The plaintiff was not asking the court to exercise its … Continue reading Myers v Elman: HL 1939
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Appeal against conviction for common assault. The defendant argued his actions had been in defence of his girlfriend who had been surrounded in the street by an aggressive group of drunken young women. The magistrates had found his reaction to be more than reasonable. Held: The magistrates having properly directed themselves according to Palmer, and … Continue reading Buckley, Regina (on the Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 22 Oct 2004
Citations: [2003] EWHC 2454 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 39 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 08 June 2022; Ref: scu.187616
The defendant had hit a mother in the face as she held the child. The force was sufficient to cause her to drop the child causing injury to the child. He appealed against a conviction for beating the child. Held: The appeal failed. A battery could be inflicted even though the force actually used was … Continue reading Haystead v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 2 Jun 2000
Judges: Lord Justice Haddon-Cave Citations: [2022] EWCA Crim 412 Links: Bailii Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 2003 3, Criminal Justice Act 1988 39 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 01 May 2022; Ref: scu.675603
Necessary element in sentencing assault cases is consideration of injury caused. Citations: Times 05-Oct-1995 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 39 Criminal Sentencing Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87478
Common assault sentence must reflect seriousness of injury to complainant. Citations: Ind Summary 24-Jul-1995 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 39 Criminal Sentencing Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87479
Mr Croke renewed his application for permission to challenge the decision of the Crown Court to refuse to state a case following the dismissal by the court of his appeal against conviction by the Magistrates of two offences of assault by beating, battery, contrary to section 39 of the 1988 Act of two security guards … Continue reading Croke, Regina (on The Application of) v Leeds Crown Court: Admn 3 Oct 2013
Admission of hearsay evidence The defendant appealed by case stated against his conviction for assault. He said that certain evidence, a statement from the complainaint, and a recording of the 999 call, should not have been admitted as hearsay. Held: Fulford LJ said: ‘Although the court has a cardinal responsibility to ensure that a defendant … Continue reading Barnaby v The Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 6 Feb 2015
The defendant had faced a charge of assault in the Magistrates Court and had pleaded not guilty. She had indicated in the ‘trial issues’ form through her lawyer that her defence was self defence. The prosecutor then indicated that the charge was to be upgraded to Actual Bodily Harm. At committal the defendant wanted to … Continue reading Firth v Epping Magistrates Court: Admn 3 Feb 2011
The claimant challenged the calculation of the release date from prison after conviction of MS of the murder of her husband. The AG also argued that the proper appeal was to the Court of Appeal from Northern Ireland and not the Supreme Court. Held: The proceedings did not amount to a ‘criminal cause or matter’ … Continue reading McGuinness, Re Application for Judicial Review (No 2): SC 19 Feb 2020
Application for a writ of habeas corpus, made by Mr Brady, who is detained in custody by virtue of a purported use of powers under section 152 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Citations: [2001] EWHC 422 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 152 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Customs and Excise Updated: 06 … Continue reading Brady v Customs and Excise: Admn 7 Jun 2001
Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 605 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Part VI Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – In Re Glatt Admn 2002 If on an application made in respect of a confiscation order by the defendant the High Court is satisfied that the realisable property is inadequate for the payment … Continue reading Glatt, Regina v: CACD 17 Mar 2006
Renewed application for leave to appeal against a sentence of imprisonment of 20 months imposed upon the applicant’s plea of guilty to a charge of having an article with a blade or point contrary to s.139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Citations: [2020] EWCA Crim 601 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing … Continue reading Brosch, Regina v: CACD 7 Apr 2020
Appeals were brought complaining as to the apparent reversal of the burden of proof in road traffic cases and in cases under the Terrorism Acts. Was a legal or an evidential burden placed on a defendant? Held: Lord Bingham of Cornhill said: ‘The overriding concern is that a trial should be fair, and the presumption … Continue reading Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions; Attorney General’s Reference No 4 of 2002: HL 14 Oct 2004
The defendant was convicted of murder. Evidence during the trial suggested a possibility of manslaughter, but neither the defence nor prosecution proposed the alternate verdict. The defendant now appealed saying that the judge had an independent duty to leave that option to the jury. Held: The appeal succeeded. The judge should have left a manslaughter … Continue reading Regina v Coutts: HL 19 Jul 2006
The defendant appealed his conviction of possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children. The images had been deleted, and were irrecoverable, but they had originally been viewed through a program which created a smaller additional image for each original. Though the thumbnail images were no longer accessible without the original, they remained on the … Continue reading Porter, Regina v: CACD 16 Mar 2006
The defendant said that he had been threatened in the street and had taken two knives from his attacker. He appealed his conviction saying that the Crown had not shown that he had intended to use the knives offensively. Held: His appeal failed. The 1953 Act applied to any object including items not in themselves … Continue reading Szewczyk, Regina v: CACD 22 Oct 2019
Citations: [1998] EWCA Crim 681 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 139 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 20 November 2022; Ref: scu.465030
M appealed by way of case stated against the decision convicting him of an offence of an assault by beating, contrary to Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The questions for the opinion of this court were: ‘1. Were we entitled to consider whether the amount of force used by the appellant was … Continue reading Marsh v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 6 Mar 2015
The defendants were suspected of substantial frauds by evading excise duty on alcohol. They now appealed against the appointment of a receiver. Judges: Ros, Aldous LJJ, Sir Iain Glidewell Citations: [1996] EWCA Civ 1351, [1996] 2 BCLC 500, [1996] 2 All ER 391 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Customs … Continue reading HM Customs and Excise v Hare and Others: CA 16 Feb 1996
A cyclist stopped by the police had a knife in an inside pocket. He claimed to have taken it from home and then forgotten about it. He was advised that for the purposes of the section neither forgetfulness nor the fact that he was transporting the knife from one private property to another could amount … Continue reading Regina v Hargreaves: CACD 30 Jul 1999
In each case the appellant had been convicted of particularly serious murders and had been given whole life terms. They now appealed saying that such sentences were incompatible with their human rights after the ruling of the ECHR Grand Chamber in Vinter v UK. Held: The appeals failed. Judges: Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, LCJ; Sir … Continue reading Regina v McLoughlin; Regina v Newell: CACD 18 Feb 2014
The defendants appealed against confiscation orders each for more than andpound;92 million said to have been derived from a substantial fraud. Held: The appeals succeeded. Sums which had been paid into banks as the result of a purported sale of goods by a buffer company in the course of a carousel fraud generating false claims … Continue reading Ahmad and Another v Regina: CACD 2 Mar 2012
The defendant appealed his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He said that the machine used to measure his breath alcohol was not of the type approved by the Secretary of State. Held: There was a presumption that the Intoximeter used was type approved. The defendant had brought no evidence to suggest otherwise. The magistrates … Continue reading Fearnley v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 10 Jun 2005
Evidence of witness which could only be understood by one individual placed him effectively as interpreter and so his interpretation was admissible. Video recording was admissible as document. Citations: Times 02-May-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.88439
The claimant advanced funds to the respondent for him to invest in a bank of which the claimant had insider knowledge. In fact the defendant did not invest the funds, the knowledge was incorrect. The defendant however did not return the sums advanced, saying he need not return it because the contract was for an … Continue reading Patel v Mirza: SC 20 Jul 2016
The defendant had been made the subject of a confiscation order. He appealed, saying that in calculating the assets, he had taken the gross value of his property without allowing for an outstanding mortgage. Held: The mortgage advance was not tainted money. Although the 1994 and 1988 Acts were intended to operate similarly and in … Continue reading Regina v Walls: CACD 30 Oct 2002
The court was asked as to the circumstances in which sentences passed on offenders who have given assistance to prosecuting authorities should be referred back to the sentencing court under section 74 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Held: ‘The Divisional Court’s view that the predominant factor in deciding where the interests … Continue reading Loughlin, Re Application for Judicial Review: SC 18 Oct 2017
Judges: Lord Judge CJ, Royce, Globe JJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 773, [2013] WLR(D) 187, [2014] Crim LR 375, [2013] 2 Cr App R 22, [2014] 1 WLR 199, [2013] EMLR 22 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice, Media Updated: 31 August 2022; Ref: scu.522302
The applicants appealed sentences for possession of offensive weapons. Held: The court gave guidance on the issues of relevance in sentencing. The court should follow the Sentencing Advisory Panel in considering the intentions of the defendant. Particular aggravations might be the specific planned use, any racial aggravation, or being under the influence of drugs. As … Continue reading Regina v Poulton; Regina v Celaire: CACD 24 Oct 2002
The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014
Prerogative act of prorogation was justiciable. The Prime Minister had prorogued Parliament for a period of five weeks, leaving only a short time for Parliament to debate and act the forthcoming termination of the membership by the UK of the EU. The Scottish Court had decided (Cherry) that the prorogation was void being for impermissible … Continue reading Miller, Regina (on the Application of) v The Prime Minister; Cherry QC v Lord Advocate: SC 24 Sep 2019
Twins were conjoined (Siamese). Medically, both could not survive, and one was dependent upon the vital organs of the other. Doctors applied for permission to separate the twins which would be followed by the inevitable death of one of them. The parents, devout Roman Catholics, resisted. Held: The parents’ views were subject to the overriding … Continue reading In Re A (Minors) (Conjoined Twins: Medical Treatment); aka In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation): CA 22 Sep 2000
The claimants sought to challenge decisions to restrict payments made to victims of miscarriages of justice. A discretionary scheme had been stopped, and payments of applicants’ costs had been restricted to Legal Help rates. Held: The simple existence of a voluntary scheme could not create a legitimate expectation of its continuance. For the doctrine to … Continue reading Regina (Niazi) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 9 Jul 2008
The defendant appealed against two convictions under the 1988 Act for possession of a bladed article in a public place. She said that whilst riding in a taxi, she had been sexually assaulted. She later collected the knives and went off to find the taxi driver. She had been drinking. She complained of the judge’s … Continue reading Clancy, Regina v: CACD 18 Jan 2012
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
The court considered the factors to be accounted in a defence of self-defence. Lord Lane LCJ said: ‘If the defendant is proved to have been attacking or retaliating or revenging himself, then he was not truly acting in self-defence. Evidence that the defendant tried to retreat or call off the fight may be a cast-iron … Continue reading Bird, Regina v: CACD 22 Mar 1985
A-G’s appeal against sentence of 15 months Custody Probation following the defendant’s conviction for causing death by careless driving having consumed excess alcohol. Judges: Nicholson LJ. Campbell LJ and Coghlin J Citations: [2006] NICA 39 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988, Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 14(1)(b) Northern Ireland, Criminal Sentencing Updated: 08 … Continue reading McManus, Regina v: CANI 19 Oct 2006
The claimant had dual Irish and US nationality. He therefore also was a citizen of the EU. He complained that the British rules against payment of job seekers’ allowance were discriminatory. The matter had already been to the ECJ. Held: The residence test as applied was not in contravention of EU law. ‘[T]he proper interpretation … Continue reading Collins v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 4 Apr 2006
Appeal against conviction for having bladed article, being a blunt butter knife without a point. Held: The appeal failed. The section made an unqualified reference to a ‘bladed article’. Davies did not establish that only sharp objects were caught. Judges: Laws LJ, Steel J Citations: [2005] EWHC 1132 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act … Continue reading Brooker v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 12 Apr 2005
The defendants had had confiscation orders made against them. They had appealed on the basis that the orders were made more than six months after sentence. The prosecutor now appealed saying that the fact that the order were not timely did not invalidate them. Held: The appeal was allowed. The confiscation orders made by the … Continue reading Regina v Soneji and Bullen: HL 21 Jul 2005
The appellant was waiting for a train when his bag was stolen. After a search, the thief tried to deter the appellant from calling the police by suggesting that the bag contained items the appellant should not be carrying. From the bag the appellant produced a curved martial arts sword, in its sheath. He testified … Continue reading Wang, Regina v: HL 10 Feb 2005
The defendant appealed against a substantial confiscation order after his conviction for cheating the public revenue. He said that the judge had been biased or had shown the appearance of bias against him. He had given some assistance to the prosecution in attempting to recover funds, but this had been insufficient. She also rejected the … Continue reading Pigott v Regina: CACD 9 Nov 2009
Appeal from conviction for carrying bladed article – judge ruling that not a good reason that he anticipated being attacked again by a particular person. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘from the authorities already referred to, it could amount to a ‘good reason’ under section 139(4) if the appellant was carrying the knife for his own … Continue reading Mcauley, Regina v: CACD 8 Oct 2009
The defendant appealed against his conviction for having failed to identify the driver of a car caught speeding by a camera. He was the registered keeper. He completed and returned the form, but did not sign it. The statute imposed no explicit obligation to sign it. He also said that since he was already suspected … Continue reading Francis v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 23 Mar 2004
The appellant appealed against his conviction for having a bladed article in a public place. Police called at his home, and the ensuing struggle came out into the garden where he was arrested. He was later found to have the knife in his pocket. Held: The judge was wrong to treat the garden as a … Continue reading Regina v Roberts: CACD 20 Oct 2003
The appellant had been convicted of having a pointed article with him in a public place. He said that the car he was driving had needed an instrument to operate the lock. At first he had used a knife, but then used scissors, losing the knife in the car. Held: The jury must be required … Continue reading Jolie v Regina: CACD 23 May 2003
The claimant sought damages for false imprisonment and assault after her wrongful arrest. She had waived her handbag at an officer investigating a disturbance and been arrested. The police said the arrest was lawful, she being suspected of common assault. Held: The judge was entitled to take the view that, taking the evidence at its … Continue reading Jarrett v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police: CA 14 Feb 2003
The appellant sought to resist the registration here of a confiscation order made in the US. She argued it would be contrary to the interests of justice to register it, that the US procedure would be unlawful here under the Convention, the appeal having been held in her absence. Held: It could not be said … Continue reading Barnette v Government of the United States of America; United States Government v Montgomery (No 2): CA 24 Mar 2003
The claimant was awarded damages for injuries suffered in his work as a seaman. The respondents claimed that he should not receive damages, since he had made false declarations as to his health in order to obtain employment, hiding his epilepsy condition. Held: Clunis established that the court would not support an action founded upon … Continue reading Hewison v Meridian Shipping Pte, Coflexip Stena Offshore Ltd, Flex Installer Offshore Ltd: CA 11 Dec 2002
Smith had bought a motor vessel, The Vertine, with andpound;55,000 provided by his co-defendant, John Marriott. In the words of the judge when imposing sentence, the respondent allowed himself to be used as Marriott’s ship owner and captain. The boat was used in April 1998 on a run to Heligoland to buy cigarettes and to … Continue reading Regina v Smith (David Cadnam): HL 13 Dec 2001
A County Court may stay a right to buy application by the tenant, even though terms had been agreed, in order to await the result of court proceedings for possession against the secure misbehaving tenant. A court’s case management powers can be invoked to determine substantive rights. Judges: Lord Goff of Chieveley, Lord Lloyd of … Continue reading City Council of Bristol v Lovell: HL 26 Feb 1998
The claimant tenant sought damages from the landlord and neighbour and fellow tenant for nuisance caused by the neighbour’s aberrant behaviour.Sir Christopher Staughton said: ‘there is a strong trend in the cases in favour of the landlord who is not an occupier.’ Judges: Lord Justice Peter Gibson, Sir Christopher Staughton Citations: [2000] EWCA Civ 357, … Continue reading Mowan v London Borough of Wandsworth and Another: CA 21 Dec 2000
The prisoner had been convicted of three murders in 1988 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He now sought the setting by the court of a minimum period he was to be required to serve. The Home Secretary had set it at 25 years. Held: The prisoner had made exceptional progress since conviction, and this could … Continue reading In re Cadman’s Application: QBD 23 Mar 2006
Prosecutor’s appeal against the adjudication acquitting the Respondent of an offence under section 139(1) of the 1988 Act. The information proffered against him alleged that he had with him, without good reason or lawful authority, an article which had a blade or was pointed, namely a knife with a five inch fixed blade contrary to … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Ullah: Admn 29 Jan 1998
Appeal against sentences totalling 16 months’ imprisonment for one offence of assault by beating, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and two offences of sending a malicious communication, contrary to section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988. Judges: Lord Justice Holroyde Mr Justice Lavender And HH Judge Wendy Joseph QC … Continue reading Ladbrook v Regina: CACD 4 Feb 2022
A knife fell from the defendant’s jeans during the course of a police search. He claimed to have forgotten about it. Held: It is important to concentrate on the time in respect of which the defendant is charged. Six days earlier he had the knife on him for a good reason, because the justices found … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Gregson: QBD 23 Sep 1992
Citations: [1998] EWCA Crim 1439, [1998] Crim LR 213 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Attorney General’s Reference No 31 of 1995, Regina v Henry CACD 17-Oct-1996 . . Cited by: Cited – Regina v Elliott; Regina v Pearce; Regina v McGee CACD 13-May-2003 In each case a … Continue reading Regina v Wood and Maguire: CACD 30 Apr 1998
Where a foreign court had made criminal confiscation order, and sought to enforce it against a party here, and the order enforcing that restraint order had been discharged by the High Court, the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to hear an appeal against discharge. Citations: Times 24-Aug-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988, Criminal Justice Act … Continue reading In Re M and Another (Restraint Order: External Confiscation Order): CA 24 Aug 1998
Ontario – Superior Court of Justice – proceeding in the nature of a Rowbotham or Fisher application to secure state funding for the defences of the accused who are facing charges of first degree murder. Judges: C McKinnon J Citations: 2008 CanLII 4266 (ON SC) Links: Canlii Citing: Cited – Regina v Rowbotham and others … Continue reading Regina v Dadshani: 8 Feb 2008
Application by Her Majesty’s Attorney General for leave to refer a sentence which she regards as unduly lenient, pursuant to section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Judges: Lady Justice Macur DBE Mr Justice Pepperall Recorder of Bristol (His Honour Judge Blair QC) (Sitting as a Judge of the Cacd) Citations: [2022] EWCA Crim … Continue reading Spurdens, Regina v: CACD 17 Feb 2022
The deceased was a prisoner known to be at risk of committing suicide. Whilst in police custody he hanged himself in his prison cell. The Commissioner accepted that he was in breach of his duty of care to the deceased, but not that that breach was caustive of the death by suicide. Held: Police and … Continue reading Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis v Reeves (Joint Administratix of The Estate of Martin Lynch, Deceased): HL 15 Jul 1999
The prisoner challenged the decision to place him in segregation under Prison Rule 43. Under rule 43(1) the initial power to segregate was given to ‘the governor’. The case arose from the fact that the governor of one prison had purported to authorise the segregation of a prisoner on his arrival at another prison to … Continue reading Regina v Deputy Governor of Parkhurst Prison, Ex parte Hague, Weldon v Home Office: HL 24 Jul 1991
A lockable folding knife was a fixed blade knife where a process was required in order to refold it. To be ‘a folding pocket-knife’ the blade has to be readily and immediately foldable at all times simply by the folding process. It held that a knife which on opening automatically locks and cannot be folded … Continue reading Harris v Director of Public Prosecutions; Fehmi v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 9 Sep 1992
The defendant challenged the obligatory requirement that evidence given by a person under 17 in sex or violent offence cases must normally be given by video link. Held: The purpose of the section was to improve the quality of the evidence presented to a court. There was no absolute right for a defendant to be … Continue reading D (A Minor), Regina (on the Application of) v Camberwell Green Youth Court: HL 27 Jan 2005
Appeal by way of case stated from a convicting the Appellant of three road traffic offences, including failure to provide a specimen of breath for analysis contrary to section 7(6) of the 1988 Act. The ground of appeal is that the justices wrongly acceded to the prosecution application to allow a police officer to refresh … Continue reading Cummings v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 15 Dec 2016
The appellants argued that the court had misdirected itself in law when concluding that neither appellant had satisfied him that the amount that might be realised at the time he made the confiscation orders was less than the agreed amount of benefit, a sum of pounds 3,668,990. The appeal raises the issue as to the … Continue reading Mcintosh and Another v Regina: CACD 22 Jun 2011
Appeal from conviction of possession of bladed article on basis that no defence had been offered. Citations: [2003] EWCA Crim 1287 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 139 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 26 March 2022; Ref: scu.441306
The defendant had pleaded guilty to offences of obtaining property by deception, The judge discussed the issue of the obtaining of benefit saying: ‘The fact that he may not have personally received all or some of the money in relation to any of those offences is immaterial for the initial purpose of determining the total … Continue reading Regina v Rees: 19 Jul 1990
Banker’s Liability for Negligent Reference The appellants were advertising agents. They were liable themselves for advertising space taken for a client, and had sought a financial reference from the defendant bankers to the client. The reference was negligent, but the bankers denied any assumption of a duty of care to a third party when purely … Continue reading Hedley Byrne and Co Ltd v Heller and Partners Ltd: HL 28 May 1963
Standing to Claim under A1P1 ECHR The appellants had written employers’ liability insurance policies. They appealed against rejection of their challenge to the 2009 Act which provided that asymptomatic pleural plaques, pleural thickening and asbestosis should constitute actionable harm for the purposes of an action of damages for personal injury. Held: The insurers’ appeals failed. … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SC 12 Oct 2011
In each case the defendant sought to resist European Extradition Warrants saying that an order would be a disporportionate interference in their human right to family life. The Court asked whether its approach as set out in Norris, had to be amended in the light of the case of ZH. Held: HH and PH’s appeals … Continue reading HH v Deputy Prosecutor of The Italian Republic, Genoa: SC 20 Jun 2012
The defendant appealed his conviction for having a bladed article under the section. He had with him a butter knife, which was wooden and with no handle or cutting edge. Held: The court would not be drawn into discussing whether it was sharp. The Act required only that the article be bladed. The knife fell … Continue reading Regina v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 13 Apr 2005
The Authority appealed from refusal of judicial review of a circular issued by the respondent as to the supply of Plastic Baton Rounds and CS gas from central resources only. The authority suggested that the circular amounted to permission for the use of plastic baton rounds for the first time in England and Wales and … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex Parte Northumbria Police Authority: CA 18 Nov 1987
The defendant argued that as Governor and Chief Excecutive of Bayelsa State in Nigeria he had sovereign immunity. The Foreign Office had issued a certificate that the defendant was not a Head of States under the 1978 Act. The A-G of Bayelsa had certified that the defendant was a head of State but the A-G … Continue reading Alamieyeseigha, Regina (on the Application Of) v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 25 Nov 2005
Balancing Rights of Prisoner and Society The appellant had been convicted of the murder of three police officers in 1966. His tariff of thirty years had now long expired. He complained that material put before the Parole Board reviewing has case had not been disclosed to him. Held: The appeal failed (by a majority). The … Continue reading Roberts v Parole Board: HL 7 Jul 2005
The claimants challenged the 2004 Order which prevented their return to their homes on the Chagos Islands. The islanders had been taken off the island to leave it for use as a US airbase. In 2004, the island was no longer needed, and payment had been made (ineffectively) to assist the dispossessed islanders, but an … Continue reading Bancoult, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 2): HL 22 Oct 2008
appeal against conviction of common assault contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. [2004] EWCA Crim 1798, [2005] Crim LR 63 Bailii England and Wales Crime Updated: 07 January 2022; Ref: scu.406614
The defendant was charged with having in his possession a locked blade. His defence was that he had good reason, relying upon the explanation given at the police station. The judge withdrew the defence from the jury. He appealed, saying the judge should have left the jury to decide. Held: The words ‘good reason’ were … Continue reading Regina v Bown (Mark): CACD 23 Jun 2003
Judicial review of refusal to make a confiscation order [2015] EWHC 1739 (Admin) Bailii Criminal Justice Act 1988 England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 01 January 2022; Ref: scu.549400
Appeal by case stated against a decision of the Justices to convict the appellant of the offence of battery contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The question for the opinion of this court was: 1. ‘Did we apply the correct test in law when we considered whether the prosecution has proved … Continue reading Brooks v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 6 Mar 2015
The parties had arbitrated their dispute in London under a bilateral investment treaty between the US and Ecuador. The republic sought to appeal the arbitration. The applicant now appealed an order that the English High Court had jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The treaty was intended to encourage bilateral trading … Continue reading Occidental Exploration and Production Company vRepublic of Ecuador: CA 9 Sep 2005
The defendant appealed by case stated against his conviction under the 1988 Act of possessing a bladed article in a public place. He had been found in the forecourt of a hostel by the police seeking to re-enter after being excluded. He said that it was not a public place. Held: The appeal succeeded. Sedley … Continue reading Harriot v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 4 May 2005
The claimant challenged the Order as regards the prescription of the morning-after pill, asserting that the pill would cause miscarriages, and that therefore the use would be an offence under the 1861 Act. Held: ‘SPUC’s case is that any interference with a fertilised egg, if it leads to the loss of the egg, involves the … Continue reading Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002
Domestic Offence requires Domestic Defence Each defendant sought to raise by way of defence of their otherwise criminal actions, the fact that they were attempting to prevent the commission by the government of the crime of waging an aggressive war in Iraq, and that their acts were accordingly justified in law. Held: The law on … Continue reading Regina v Jones (Margaret), Regina v Milling and others: HL 29 Mar 2006
[2006] EWCA Crim 2530 Bailii Criminal Justice Act 1988 139(1) England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 20 November 2021; Ref: scu.259188
The defendant challenged a conviction for having a locked bladed article in his possession in a public place, on the basis that it placed on him a burden of proof contrary to the convention. Held: Salabiaku permits a reverse onus but requires presumptions of fact or of law to be defined within reasonable limits. As … Continue reading Lynch v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 8 Nov 2001
