(Grand Chamber) The applicant had lived with his family in a slum bordering on a municipal house-hold refuse tip. A methane explosion at the tip resulted in a landslide which engulfed the applicant’s house, killing his close relatives. The applicant claimed that the local authorities were responsible for the accident at the tip and for … Continue reading Oneryildiz v Turkey: ECHR 18 Jun 2002
Where an army doctor was accused of failing to diagnose a serviceman’s ocular cancer, the negligence which caused the consequent injury was caused by the delay in a correct diagnosis, and the treatment fell within the scope of Crown Immunity. Citations: Times 30-Mar-1999, Gazette 21-Apr-1999, [1999] EWCA Civ 1016, [1999] PIQR P204 Statutes: Crown Proceedings … Continue reading Derry v Ministry of Defence: CA 18 Mar 1999
Mr Leander had been refused employment at a museum located on a naval base, having been assessed as a security risk on the basis of information stored on a register maintained by State security services that had not been disclosed him. Mr Leander complained that he should have been provided with the information in question, … Continue reading Leander v Sweden: ECHR 26 Mar 1987
An ex parte application was made to quash a decision by the Advertising Standards Authority upholding a complaint that the applicants in that case were in breach of the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion, and an injunction to prevent the respondents from publishing their adjudication. Popplewell J considered the question whether or not … Continue reading Regina v Advertising Standards Authority Limited ex parte Direct Line Financial Services Limited: Admn 8 Aug 1997
The court was asked as to the nature and effect of tenancies for life granted by fully mutual housing co-operatives and in particular how they can lawfully be brought to an end and a possession order obtained. The tenants sought a declaration of incompatibility in respect of section 80. The Co-operative was fully mutual and … Continue reading Southward Housing Co-Operative Ltd v Walker and Another: ChD 8 Jun 2015
Appeal against an order of Deputy Master Eyre by which he struck out the appellant’s statements of case and dismissed the action with judgment for the defendant with costs. The claimant said that the procedures adopted by the Board in disciplinary proceedings had (inter alia) infringed her human rights. She had eventually been cleared of … Continue reading O’Connor v Bar Standards Board: QBD 18 Dec 2014
The claimant sought an injunction to restrain the defendants from broadcasting a film, claiming that it contained confidential material. A journalist working undercover sought to reveal what he said were unhealthy practices in the claimant’s meat processing plant. A claim under defamation would not restrict publication where a defence of justification might be anticipated. The … Continue reading Tillery Valley Foods v Channel Four Television, Shine Limited: ChD 18 May 2004
The defendant sought to defend the claim for defamation by claiming fair comment. The claimant said that the relevant facts were not known to the defendant at the time of the publication. Held: To claim facts in aid of a defence of fair comment, it would make no sense if those facts were not known … Continue reading Lowe v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 28 Feb 2006
Fair Coment on Political Activities The defendant newspaper had published articles wrongly accusing the claimant, the former Prime Minister of Ireland of duplicity. The paper now appealed, saying that it should have had available to it a defence of qualified privilege because of the claimant’s status as a politician. Held: The appeal failed (Lords Hope … Continue reading Reynolds v Times Newspapers Ltd and others: HL 28 Oct 1999
The father sought to revoke a freeing order. He said that the social workers had conspired to exclude him from the process. The child was born of a casual relationship, and at first he was unaware of the proceedings. On learning of them he sought to revoke the placement order. Aware that they were doing … Continue reading In re F (A Child) (Placement Order); C v East Sussex County Council (Adoption): CA 1 May 2008
The defendant appealed against interim costs orders made in the claim against it for defamation. Held: The general power of cost capping measures available to courts were available also in defamation proceedings. The claimant was being represented under a conditional fee agreement. The court considered that the amount of costs being incurred served to act … Continue reading King v Telegraph Group Ltd: CA 18 May 2004
The claimant, the son of the leader of Libya, sought damages for defamation from the defendant for an article alleging his involvement in criminal activities. The defendant appealed orders striking out certain parts of his defence, and the claimant appealed orders leaving other parts in place. Was there a qualified privilege for the articles because … Continue reading Gaddafi v Telegraph Group Ltd: CA 28 Oct 1998
(Supreme Court of Canada) Publication in a magazine of an unauthorised photograph of a 17 year old girl sitting on the steps of a public building had violated her right to respect for private life conferred under Article 5 of the ‘Quebec Charter’ of Human Rights and Freedoms. Citations: [1998] 1 SCR 591, (1998), 157 … Continue reading Aubry v Editions Vice-Versa Inc: 9 Apr 1998
(1) A person (C) in the United Kingdom who makes a human rights claim is asserting that C (or someone connected with C) has, for whatever reason, a right recognised by the ECHR, which is of such a kind that removing C from, or requiring C to leave, would be a violation of that right. … Continue reading Mujahid, Regina (on The Application of) v First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and The Secretary of State for The Home Department (Refusal of Human Rights Claim): UTIAC 25 Feb 2020
Appeal from restraint orders. Citations: [1998] EWCA Civ 1175, [1999] 1 All ER 84 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 97 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See also – Government of the United States of America v Barnette and another Admn 2002 The applicant sought to register, under the Act, an order against the … Continue reading Government of United States of America v Montgomery and Montgomery: CA 8 Jul 1998
Action for damages for malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office and breach of s.6 Human Rights Act 1998. It is brought by Mr Phillip Rudall, a solicitor from Swansea who, between January 2002 and July 2013, was the subject of investigation by the South Wales Police Fraud Squad (‘SWP’) and two prosecutions by the Crown … Continue reading Rudall v The Crown Prosecution Service and Another: QBD 30 Nov 2018
The claimant, the former Taoiseach of Ireland sought damages after the defendant newspaper published an article falsely accusing him of duplicity. The paper said that his position meant that they should have the defence of quaified privilege available. Held: Qualified privilege defence applied in defamation proceedings reporting acts of public officials where there appeared a … Continue reading Reynolds TD v Times Newspapers Ltd; Ruddock and Witherow: CA 8 Jul 1998
The plaintiffs appealed against refusal of orders striking out the defences of justification to their libel action. Held: The words complained of bore an accusation of money laundering. A plea of justification based upon a reasonable belief in the claimant’s criminality, could not be established by simply stating that publication had been a repetition of … Continue reading Shah and Another v Standard Chartered Bank: CA 2 Apr 1998
ECHR Article 10-1Freedom to impart informationCriminal conviction for making public irregular telephone tapping procedures: violationFacts – The first applicant worked in the telephone communications surveillance and recording department of a military unit of the Romanian Intelligence Service (RIS). In the course of his work he came across a number of irregularities. In addition, the telephones … Continue reading Bucur And Toma v Romania: ECHR 8 Jan 2013
Statements made under compulsion could be used in disqualification proceedings at discretion of the Secretary of State. Citations: Gazette 01-Apr-1998, Times 10-Feb-1998, Gazette 11-Mar-1998 Statutes: Company Directors Disqualification Act 1985 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Ex Parte McCormick: CA 10 Feb 1998
The Appellant has presented a claim in the Employment Tribunal in which she alleges that she was dismissed by the Respondent and that the dismissal amounted to sex discrimination and/or victimisation on the ground that she had done a protected act, contrary to the Equality Act 2010. She appeals against the Employment Tribunal’s refusal to … Continue reading Steer v Stormsure Ltd (Sex Discrimination, Human Rights): EAT 21 Dec 2020
Citations: [1997] EWCA Civ 2865, [1998] PIQR P387 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Matthews v Ministry of Defence HL 13-Feb-2003 The claimant sought damages against the Crown, having suffered asbestosis whilst in the armed forces. He challenged the denial to him of a right of action by the 1947 Act. Held: Human … Continue reading Quinn v Ministry of Defence: CA 28 Nov 1997
The defendant appealed against an anti-social behaviour order. He had been a journalist, and began a private newsletter and campaign alleging amongst other things corruption in the police. He complained that his article 10 rights had been infringed. Held: The order was quashed. Pitchford LJ said: ‘that separate issues arise out of these blogs. In … Continue reading Perry v Chief Constable of Humberside Police: Admn 18 Oct 2012
The trust was created in 1948, and provided gifts over, which had now failed. The court considered the construction of the term ‘stautory next of kin’. The possible beneficiaries claimed through being adopted, arguing that at the date of the last beneficary’s death, all impediments to inheritance by adopted children had been removed by statute. … Continue reading Re Erskine 1948 Trust: ChD 29 Mar 2012
A building was erected without planning permission. The local planning authority chose not to serve an enforcement notice but rather had invited an application for retrospective planning permission. Held: The fact that a building has already been constructed before planning permission is sought might lawfully be regarded as a consideration in favour of a permission … Continue reading Regina v Leominster District Council ex parte Pothecary: CA 28 Oct 1997
The Court considered a dependency claim by a person who had cohabited with the deceased for 6 months prior to death. The claim was for a declaration of incompatibility in relation to the 2 year + cohabitee provision in s.1 of the FAA which, the claimant said, discriminated against her and violated her rights under … Continue reading Swift v Secretary of State for Justice: QBD 18 Jul 2012
Section allowing admission of documentary evidence was not a breach of requirements of European Convention on Human Rights. Reading of statements allowed where witness in fear. Judge given sufficient balancing discretion to follow convention Citations: Times 24-Jul-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 24 825 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Human Rights Updated: 25 October … Continue reading Regina v Thomas, Regina v Flannagan: CACD 24 Jul 1998
It was sought to extradite the defendant to face trial for two alleged murders. He now challenged the order for his extradition saying that his treatment in Missouri would amount to inhuman or degrading punishment in that if convicted he would face life imprisonment without the chance for parole. Held: The abolition of the death … Continue reading Wellington Regina, (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 10 Dec 2008
The applicant had been born and registered as a female, but later came to receive treatment and to live as a male. He complained that the respondent had failed to amend his birth certificate. Held: The court accepted that, by failing to confer on a transsexual a right to an amended birth certificate, the state … Continue reading Rees v The United Kingdom: ECHR 17 Oct 1986
IPO This was a somewhat unusual restoration case in that it centres around the time periods in which to file a legitimate application for restoration of a patent rather than the facts and circumstances surrounding the failure to pay the renewal fees. The renewal fees in respect of the fifth year of this patent fell … Continue reading Gradco (Japan) Ltd and Krdc Co Ltd (Patent): IPO 10 Nov 2008
The appellant faced a criminal trial. He was granted legal aid for two counsel. He asked for two particular junior counsel, but the certificate required him to instruct leading counsel and a junior. He objected that this deprived him of the right to his chosen counsel. Held: The appeal failed. The purpose of a defendant’s … Continue reading Maguire, Re Application for Judicial Review (Northern Ireland): SC 21 Mar 2018
The petitioner issued a petition for divorce from the respondent, or alternatively a decree of nullity. The husband argued against both saying that the parties had not entered a marriage valid according to English law. W averred that the presumption of marriage arising out of cohabitation and reputation applied so as to validate the marriage. … Continue reading Akhter v Khan: FC 31 Jul 2018
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (victim); Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 8; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedingsThe applicants were an unmarried couple who could not marry, and so legitimate their daughter, the third applicant, because … Continue reading Johnston and Others v Ireland: ECHR 18 Dec 1986
The applicants complained that as an unmarried couple they had been excluded from consideration as adopters. Held: Northern Ireland legislation had not moved in the same way as it had for other jurisdictions within the UK. The greater commitment to traditional family structures did not however justify the difference. The rules were unlawful discrimination.Lord Hoffmann … Continue reading In re P and Others, (Adoption: Unmarried couple) (Northern Ireland); In re G: HL 18 Jun 2008
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 6-1 (public hearing); Violation of Art. 6-1 (impartial tribunal); Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses partial award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings Citations: (1998) 28 EHRR 196, … Continue reading Gautrin And Others v France: ECHR 20 May 1998
Employees claimed religious objections to being obliged to members of a Trades Union. Held: It is the obligation of states which have ratified the Convention to secure to everyone within their jurisdiction the rights and freedoms which it protects. Judges: Wiarda P Citations: 7806/77, 7601/76, (1981) 4 EHRR 38, [1981] ECHR 4 Links: Worldlii, Bailii … Continue reading Young, James and Webster v The United Kingdom: ECHR 13 Aug 1981
UTIAC 1) Whilst section 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and its associated case law requires United Kingdom tribunals in general to give effect to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, including that Court’s guidance on how to approach evidence in international protection cases, the weighing of evidence and the drawing … Continue reading AMM and Others (Conflict; Humanitarian Crisis; Returnees; FGM) Somalia CG: UTIAC 28 Nov 2011
The defendant had published a set of guidelines for intelligence officers called upon to detain and interrogate suspects. The defendant said that the guidelines could only be tested against individual real life cases, and that the court should not answer hypothetical questions. The objection lay to reactions to anticipated torture and mistreatment by third party … Continue reading Equality and Human Rights Commission v Prime Minister and Others: Admn 3 Oct 2011
UTIAC 1. In MS (Ivory Coast) [2007] EWCA Civ 133 it was accepted, following Ciliz v Netherlands (Application no. 29192/95) [2000] ECHR 365; [2000] FLR 469, that a decision to remove an applicant in the process of seeking a contact order may violate Article 8 ECHR, in particular on the basis that removal of a … Continue reading MH (Pending Family Proceedings- Discretionary Leave) Morocco: UTIAC 28 Sep 2010
The claimant had been detained by the US in Guantanamo Bay suspected of terrorist involvement. He sought to support his defence documents from the respondent which showed that the evidence to be relied on in the US courts had been obtained by torture, and in particular by the hiding of his detention for many months … Continue reading Mohamed, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 1): Admn 21 Aug 2008
The claimant had been the subject of a raid by armed police on his home. The raid was a mistake. He complained that the English legal system, in rejecting his claim had not allowed him to assert that the police action had been disproportionate. Held: The claimant’s right to respect for his home had been … Continue reading Keegan v United Kingdom: ECHR 18 Jul 2006
The court was asked as to the compatibility of provisions in the 1978 Act with the human rights of the appellant. The claimants, Moroccan nationals were employed as domestic staff in embassies in London. They alleged both race discrimination and breach of the 1998 Regulations, saying that the statutory exemption of the Embassies from liability … Continue reading Benkharbouche v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: SC 18 Oct 2017
A bank account used to cover the day-to-day expenses of an Embassy, clearly served sovereign purposes and therefore was immune from enforcement measures. The Act of 1978 must be read against the background of customary international law current in 1978. It is highly unlikely that Parliament intended to require United Kingdom courts to act contrary … Continue reading Alcom Ltd v Republic of Colombia: HL 1984
The tribunal may review its own decision, where for example a clear error has been made (section 9). Judges: Lord Justice Carnwath SPT Citations: [2010] UKUT 160 (AAC), [2010] MHLR 192, [2010] AACR 41 Links: Bailii Cited by: Cited – Modaresi, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health SC 24-Jul-2013 The … Continue reading Regina (RB) v First Tier Tribunal (Review): UTAA 28 May 2010
ECJ The principle that men and women should receive equal pay, which is laid down by article 119, is one of the foundations of the community. It may be relied on before the national courts. These courts have a duty to ensure the protection of the rights which that provision vests in individuals, in particular … Continue reading Defrenne v Sabena (No 2): ECJ 8 Apr 1976
(Scotland) The respondent was to be extradited to Taiwan to serve the balance of a prison term. His appeal succeeded and the order quashed on the basis that his treatment in the Taiwanese prison system would infringe his human rights. The Lord Advocate now appealed. Held: The question was a devolution issue, being ‘a question … Continue reading Lord Advocate (Representing The Taiwanese Judicial Authorities) v Dean: SC 28 Jun 2017
Just satisfaction – friendly settlement Judges: Peer Lorenzen, P Citations: 3545/04, [2010] ECHR 74 Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 8 Citing: See Also – Brauer v Germany ECHR 28-May-2009 The applicant was born outside marriage in 1948 in East Germany and claimed a share of the estate of her father, who had … Continue reading Brauer v Germany: ECHR 28 Jan 2010
The applicants were detained at Rampton. The form of detention denied the access to space in which they would be able to smoke cigarettes to comply with the law. Held: The claim failed. The legislative objectives were sufficiently serious to support as rational the imposition of the rules. Having a mental illness is not a … Continue reading G, Regina (on the Application of) v Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust: Admn 20 May 2008
Evidence from 3rd Party Torture Inadmissible The applicants had been detained following the issue of certificates issued by the respondent that they posed a terrorist threat. They challenged the decisions of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission saying that evidence underlying the decisions had probably been obtained by torture committed by foreign powers, and should not … Continue reading A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No 2): HL 8 Dec 2005
The claimant’s daughter had committed suicide whilst on home leave from a hospital where she had stayed as a voluntary patient with depression. Her admission had followed a suicide attempt. The hospital admitted negligence but denied that it owed her a positive obligation to protect life under Article 2. Held: The claimants’ appeal succeeded. The … Continue reading Rabone and Another v Pennine Care NHS Foundation: SC 8 Feb 2012
Burton J dismissed a claim for judicial review brought by the serving prisoner, to challenge his statutory disfranchisement from voting in domestic and European Parliamentary elections. Judges: Burton J Citations: [2009] EWHC 2923 (Admin), [2010] HRLR 6, [2010] UKHRR 317, [2010] ACD 28 Links: Bailii Statutes: Representation of the People Act 1983 3, European Parliamentary … Continue reading Chester, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice and Another: Admn 28 Oct 2009
The claimant, a litigant in person, purported to serve his statement of claim by email, but had not first sought the defendant’s agreement as required. The solicitors allowed the limitation period to expire without acknowledging service. The claimant now appealed against his claim being struck out for limitation. Held: The appeal failed. The decision was … Continue reading Barton v Wright Hassall Llp: SC 21 Feb 2018
The defendants each complained that being placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely was a disproportionate interference with their rights for private and family life, and under European law. Held: A declaration of incompatibility was ordered to the extent that the orders made were not subject to regular review. Judges: Lord Justice Latham, Mr Justice … Continue reading F and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: QBD 19 Dec 2008
Citations: [2008] ScotHC HCJAC – 78 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: Scotland Cited by: Cited – Kapri v The Lord Advocate (Representing The Government of The Republic of Albania) SC 10-Jul-2013 The Court was asked whether it would be compatible with the appellant’s Convention rights within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998 for the appellant, … Continue reading Trajer v The Lord Advocate: HCJ 19 Dec 2008
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of P1-1; Pecuniary damage – financial award; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses – claim rejected Citations: 19639/92, [1998] ECHR 86 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 28 July 2022; Ref: scu.165678
The Trust appealed against a finding that in terminating an assured tenancy transferred to it from a local authority, it had acted as a hybrid public authority and was subject to controls under the 1998 Act. Held: (Rix LJ dissenting). The appeal failed. When dealing with social tenants, the trust exercised a public law function. … Continue reading London and Quadrant Housing Trust v Weaver, Regina; Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening: CA 18 Jun 2009
The applicant was born outside marriage in 1948 in East Germany and claimed a share of the estate of her father, who had lived in West Germany dying in 1998. A West German statute of 1969 put illegitimate children on a equality with children of a marriage, but excluded children born before 1 July 1949, … Continue reading Brauer v Germany: ECHR 28 May 2009
A party who was in contempt of court should not be debarred from continuing to take a proper part in a court action unless that contempt was serious enough seriously to interfere with the fair conduct of the trial. ‘The courts need powers of punishment with which to enforce their orders. The ones they have … Continue reading In Re Swaptronics Ltd: ChD 24 Jul 1998
A Police Officer assisting in recovery of items ordered to be returned in matrimonial proceedings acted in excess of his powers and trespassed in entering house where there was no immediate threat of breach of the peace, and no sight of disorder. An interference with private life by the police must be objectively justified under … Continue reading McLeod v The United Kingdom: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
Citations: [1997] EWHC Admin 490 Links: Bailii Statutes: Extradition Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Launder Admn 6-Aug-1996 The exercise of a discretion on extradition is judicially reviewable in the same way as are other decisions. . . See Also – … Continue reading In the Matter of Launder In the Matter of Extradition Act 1989 In the Matter of an Application for Bail: Admn 21 May 1997
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 8; Violation of Art. 25; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award Citations: [1998] ECHR 93, 27273/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 24 July 2022; Ref: scu.165665
The claimant sought leave to challenge the imposition by the local Pubwatch scheme to impose a ban on him. Held: The renewed application for permission to bring judicial review was refused. Ockleton CMG said: ‘the question of the identification of the proper defendant to these proceedings goes to giving the same answer. Without wanting to … Continue reading Proud, Regina (on the Application of) v Buckingham Pubwatch Scheme and Another: Admn 14 Aug 2008
ECHR Judgment (Merits and Just Satisfaction) – Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses – claim rejected; Violation of Art. 5-3. Citations: 21380/93, [1998] ECHR 88, 21381/93 Links: Woldlii, Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 23 July 2022; … Continue reading Demir and Others v Turkey: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
The complainant said that the system under which he had been declared unfit to be involved in the management of an insurance company was unfair. Citations: 28530/95, [1998] ECHR 117, (1998) 25 EHRR CD88, 25 EHRR CD88 Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – Wright and Others, … Continue reading X v United Kingdom: ECHR 19 Jan 1998
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 6-1; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings. Citations: [1998] ECHR 94, 28523/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 21 July 2022; Ref: scu.165676
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 10; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1998] ECHR 90, 24662/94 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – Callaghan v Independent News and Media Ltd QBNI 7-Jan-2009 callaghan_inmQBNI2009 The claimant was convicted in … Continue reading Lehideux And Isorni v France: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
The Society appealed against an order quashing the striking-off of the solicitor. Held: Bolton was still the leading case though the solicitor must be given an opportunity for a fair trial. Though it was not necessary to show a very strong case before overturning a decision of a professional tribunal, the court must give it … Continue reading Law Society v Salsbury: CA 25 Nov 2008
The court was asked to consider whether the IPCC could investigate the circumstances leading to the arrest of a suspect who fell into a coma after being arrested for being drunk. The IPCC appealed, saying that it did not have jurisdiction to investigate matters before the arrest. Held: The appeal was dismissed. Longmore LJ said: … Continue reading Reynolds, Regina (on the Application of) v Independent Police Complaints Commission and Another: CA 22 Oct 2008
The applicant’s father had been present on Christmas Island during British nuclear tests. She was diagnosed with leukaemia. She claimed the UK had been should have warned her parents of the risks associated with exposure to radiation and monitored her health. Held: The applicant had not proved that her father had actually been exposed to … Continue reading LCB v United Kingdom: ECHR 9 Jun 1998
The several applicants had been arrested in different circumstances and each charged with breach of the peace contrary to common law. Under the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980, the court can bind over a Defendant to keep the peace, if the Defendant consents, and impose a sentence of up to 6 months’ imprisonment if the Defendant … Continue reading Steel and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 5-3; No violation of Art. 6-1; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1998] ECHR 89, 28213/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 18 July 2022; Ref: scu.165661
The claimants said that the the laws restricting residence and voting rights and oher constitutional arrangements on the Isle of Sark were in breach of European law, and human rights law. Held: The claims failed. The composition of Chief Pleas under the Reform Law are not inconsistent with the rights conferred by Article 3, nor … Continue reading Barclay and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v The Seigneur of Sark and Another: Admn 18 Jun 2008
PROCEDURE – hearing in public or private – VAT Tribunals Rules 1986 r 24(1) – assessment to recover allegedly over-claimed input tax – VATA 1994 ss 25, 26, VAT Regs 1995, reg 29, Sixth Directive art 18 – Human Rights Convention arts 6 and 8 – appellant a sole practitioner solicitor – application for hearing … Continue reading A Practitioner v Customs and Excise: VDT 12 Dec 2003
The Secretary of State appealed against a declaration that paragraph 3(2)(b) of Part 2 of Schedule 3 to the 2004 Act was incompatible with Article 3. The clause was said to restrict the Home Secretary from considering anything beyond the country guidance applicable to the case when deciding whether to order the failed asylum applicant’s … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v JN: CA 14 May 2008
Statutory appeal by the Office of Government Commerce (the OGC) against two decisions of the Information Tribunal relating to gateway reviews carried out by the OGC of the Government’s identity card programme. Judges: Stanley Burnton J Citations: [2008] EWHC 774 (Admin), [2008] ACD 54, [2009] 3 WLR 627, [2010] QB 98 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading Office of Government Commerce v Information Commissioner: Admn 11 Apr 2008
The claimants had been excluded from school in ways which they said infringed their human rights. They now appealed against a striking out of their claims given on the ground that the claim had no prospect of success. The claimants also needed enlargement of the time to commence the action. Held: The appeal failed. It … Continue reading A v Essex County Council: CA 16 Apr 2008
The claimants appealed an order finding that the defendant had acquired their land by adverse possession. They said that the defendant had asserted in defence to possession proceedings that they were tenants, and that this contradicted an intent to deny the claimants’ title. Held: The appeal failed. A finding by the ECHR that a particular … Continue reading Ofulue and Another v Bossert: CA 29 Jan 2008
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 6-1; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1998] ECHR 99, 28194/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 13 … Continue reading Castillo Algar v Spain: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
Each defendant challenged decisions to extend the custody time limits. Judges: Lord Bingham of Cornhill LCJ, Collins J Citations: [1998] EWHC 319 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention of Human Rights 5, Bail Act 1976 4(1), Prosecution of Offences (Custody Time Limits) Regulations 1987 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice, Human Rights Updated: 12 July … Continue reading McDonald, Regina (on the Application of) v Manchester Crown Court; Others: Admn 9 Nov 1998
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 6-1; Not necessary to examine Art. 6-3-d; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient Citations: [1998] ECHR 100, 19601/92 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 12 July 2022; Ref: scu.165688
(Northern Ireland) Children had been taken to school in the face of vehement protests from Loyalists. The parents complained that the police had failed to protect them properly, since the behaviour was so bad as to amount to inhuman or degrading treatment, and that the police had given undue weight to the right to demonstrate. … Continue reading Re E (A Child); E v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Another (Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and others intervening): HL 12 Nov 2008
In each case a death had occurred many years earlier where the deceased had apparently died at the hands of the armed forces. The relatives now challenged the range of verdicts which could be left to a coroner’s jury.Lord Bingham said: ‘The Coroner must decide how widely the inquiry should range to elicit the facts … Continue reading Jordan v Lord Chancellor and Another (Northern Ireland): HL 28 Mar 2007
The Lord Advocate had conceded that devolution minutes were competent in proceedings under the 2003 Act. Judges: Lord Justice Clerk And Lord Macfadyen And Lord Nimmo Smith Citations: [2006] ScotHC HCJA – 81, 2008 JC 23 Links: Bailii Statutes: Extradition Act 2003 Jurisdiction: Scotland Citing: See Also – La Torre v Her Majesty’s Advocate HCJ … Continue reading La Torre v The Lord Advocate and Another: HCJ 8 Nov 2006
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 6-1 (as regards first complaint); Violation of Art. 6-1 (as regards second complaint); Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings Citations: 22924/93, [1998] ECHR 97 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human … Continue reading AIT-Mouhoub v France: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
ECHR Inadmissibility, for being out of time, of reposicion application against court decision whereby a settlement agreement which the applicant had sought to enforce had been declared voidIn a dispute between the applicant and a neighbour concerning the latter’s view over the applicants property a settlement agreement was concluded between the parties. However, the time-limit … Continue reading Perez De Rada Cavanilles v Spain: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
The court granted the respondent’s application for judicial review of the policing by PSNI of certain parades which had not been notified in accordance with the requirements of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, finding that the PSNI had facilitated illegal and sometimes violent parades with the effect, for a period of time at … Continue reading DB, Re Judicial Review: QBNI 28 Apr 2014
The applicant was not entitled in domestic law to succeed to a tenancy on the death of her partner. The aim of the legislation is question was to protect the family, a goal similar to the protection of the right to respect for family life guaranteed by Article 8 of the Convention. The aim itself … Continue reading S v United Kingdom: ECHR 1986
The child had been born to parents who married and later divorced in Romania. The mother brought him to England without the father’s consent, and now appealed an order for his return. Held: The mother’s appeal succeeded. The Convention required an order to be made for the return of a child only where the parent … Continue reading In re D (A Child), (Abduction: Rights of Custody): HL 16 Nov 2006
The claimants sought an injunction against unknown persons who were said to have divulged confidential matters to newspapers. The order had been served on newspapers who now complained that the order was too uncertain to allow them to know how to obey it. Associated Newspapers had agreed to an undertaking, but then were served with … Continue reading X and Y v Persons Unknown: QBD 8 Nov 2006
Two claimants had each been sexually assaulted by a later notorious, multiple rapist. Each had made complaints to police about their assaults but said that no effective steps had been taken to investigate the serious complaints. Held: The Commissioner’s appeal failed: To provide an effective deterrent, laws which prohibit conduct constituting a breach of article … Continue reading Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis v DSD and Another: SC 21 Feb 2018
ECHR Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) – Preliminary objection rejected; Violation of Art. 3; Not necessary to examine Art. 2; Not necessary to examine Art. 5-1; Violation of Art. 8; Violation of P1-1; Not necessary to examine Art. 6-1; Violation of Art. 13; No violation of Art. 14; No violation of Art. 18; Pecuniary damage … Continue reading Selauk and Asker v Turkey: ECHR 24 Apr 1998
The claimant was a director of a limited company. A Detective Chief Inspector with responsibility for crime prevention was investigating a series of car thefts and arrested the claimant’s business partner and, before the accused had even stood his trial, informed members of the insurance industry, such as the manager of the Association of British … Continue reading Wood v Chief Constable West Midlands Police: CA 8 Dec 2004
(Commission) The Commission was asked whether the retention of fingerprints or samples amounts to an interference with the right to respect for private life. Held: A distinction was made between the taking of fingerprints, photographs and records, and their retention. As to retention: ‘it is open to question whether the retention of fingerprints, photographs and … Continue reading McVeigh, O’Neill and Evans v United Kingdom: ECHR 1981
The discretionary life-prisoner faced a parole board. The Secretary of State wished to present evidence, but wanted the witness to be protected. The Parole Board appointed special counsel to hear the evidence on behalf of the prisoner on terms that the prisoner was not to know of the evidence. The prisoner appealed. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Roberts v Parole Board: CA 28 Jul 2004
The applicant had been detained under the appellant’s certificate that he was a suspected terrorist. Held: The fact that there were suspicions surrounding the detainee did not mean that those suspicions were necessarily reasonable suspicions as required by the Act. Though a detainee could leave this country as an alternative to detention, his safe removal … Continue reading The Secretary of State for the Home Department v M: CA 18 Mar 2004
The making of an interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order not on notice was not an infringement of the subject’s human rights, since the order was limited in time and subject to review by the courts. However, ‘The more intrusive the order the more the court will require proof that it is necessary that it should be … Continue reading Regina (M) v Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor: CA 18 Mar 2004
Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Cooke Citations: [2004] EWHC 71 (Comm), [2004] EWHC 130 (Comm) Links: Bailii, Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Laws and others v The Society of Lloyd’s CA 19-Dec-2003 The applicants sought to amend earlier pleadings to add a claim that their human rights had been infringed by … Continue reading Society of Lloyd’s v Laws and others: ComC 28 Jan 2004
The Court found the probationer police constable to have been unlawfully induced to resign, but the court could not order his reinstatement. A power must be exercised by the precise person or body stated in the statute. Though courts may review the way in which decisions are reached, they will respect the margin of appreciation … Continue reading Chief Constable of the North Wales Police v Evans: HL 1982
While the applicant was serving a sentence for possession of obscene material, the 1997 Act came into force, requiring him to register with the police. It was argued that the passing of the Act and its impact on the offender involved a ‘penalty’ within the meaning of Article 7. The registration requirements applied automatically to … Continue reading Ibbotson v United Kingdom: ECHR 1998
The claimant had not received the same tax allowance following his wife’s death as would have been received by a woman surviving her husband. That law had been declared incompatible with Human Rtights law as discriminatory, but the respondent refused to make good any claim which had not been originally pursued to the European Court, … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Wilkinson v The Commissioners of Inland Revenue: CA 18 Jun 2003
