A defendant seeking to avoid answering questions so as not to incriminate himself is to be given some understanding and latitude in respecting his own interpretation. The beneficiary of a pardon could be called upon to incriminate himself because he merited no protection: ‘the effect of which [the pardon] was to make him a new … Continue reading Regina v Boyes: 27 May 1861
The defendant appealed by case stated against an order allowing the amendment of an information against him. He was first accused of failing to provide a specimen of breath for testing after being stopped and suspected of driving with excess alcohol. The officer had however accepted that he had a proper reason for not providing … Continue reading Crann v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 27 Feb 2013
Judges: Langstaff J Citations: [2010] EWHC 3412 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes:
Judges: Coulson LJ, Holgate J Citations: [2021] EWHC 112 (Admin), [2021] WLR(D) 64 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes:
The claimant sought judicial review of the magistrates refusal to set aside a conviction entered in his absence. He had been in custody and not produced for the hearing. Held: The review was granted. The judge had not established that the defendant was at fault in not attending. Citations: [2007] EWHC 2766 (Admin) Links: Bailii … Continue reading Morsby v Tower Bridge Magistrates’ Court: Admn 31 Oct 2007
A reverse legal burden applied to defendants accused of an offence under section 17 of the Forestry Act 1967 which, in specified circumstances, created an absolute offence of felling a tree without a felling licence. Clarke LJ said: ‘It is thus clear that, while the general principles are those set out in Edwards, each case … Continue reading Grundy and Co Excavations Ltd and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Halton Division Magistrates Court: Admn 24 Feb 2003
Claim that proceedings for summary offence not issued within six months. Citations: [1996] EWHC Admin 227 Links: Bailii Statutes:
Once the charges had been withdrawn by the prosecutor, the former defendant was no longer an accused, and the magistrates had no power to re-open the case to alter an order for costs they had made. Citations: Times 27-Jul-1998 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 142(1) Cited by: Cited – Regina v Thames Magistrates’ Court ex … Continue reading Coles v Camborne Justices: QBD 27 Jul 1998
The applicant sought a declaration as to the lawfulness of a lottery scheme whilst criminal proceedings were pending against it for the same scheme. Held: It was not necessary to decide whether a declaration as to the criminality or otherwise of future conduct can ever properly be made by a civil court. It would be … Continue reading Imperial Tobacco Ltd v Attorney-General: HL 1980
Judges: The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales (Lord Bingham of Cornhill) And Mr Justice Klevan Citations: [2000] EWHC 654 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes:
That the same rules apply to time limits for prosecution of a company as for others, for summary offences, did not apply to either way offences tried summarily. Times 09-Dec-1997, Gazette 17-Dec-1997, [1997] EWHC Admin 1045 Magistrates Courts Act 1980 127, Companies Act 1986 731(2) England and Wales Criminal Practice, Company Updated: 03 January 2022; … Continue reading Regina v Thames Magistrates’ Court ex parte Horgan: Admn 25 Nov 1997
The appellant’s daughter had been stopped entering the country with andpound;150,000 in cash. The police sought an order for its forfeiture, suspecting a link with terrorism. The magistrates found no evidence of such, and declined to make the order, but equally refused to award the defendant her costs. She now appealed against the refusal to … Continue reading Perinpanathan, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Magistrates Court and Another: CA 4 Feb 2010
No Breach of Solicitor Client Confidence Allowed B was charged with the murder of a young girl. He made a confession to the police, but later changed his story, saying his stepfather had killed the girl. He was acquitted. The stepfather was then charged with the murder. At his committal for trial, B was called … Continue reading Regina v Derby Magistrates Court Ex Parte B: HL 19 Oct 1995
In convicting the defendant, the magistrates announced that they had done so on the balance of probabilities. At a later hearing magistrates sought to set aside the decision and relist the case for a new hearing. They refused to state a case. The defendant sought judicial review. Held: Magistrates did not have power of their … Continue reading Rhodes-Presley, Regina (on the Application of) v South Worcestershire Magistrates’ Court: Admn 9 Oct 2008
Application by prosecutor to amend name of defendant company but after time limit for issue. . .
References: (1861) 1 B & S 311, [1861] EngR 626, (1861) 121 ER 730 Links: Commonlii Coram: Cockburn CJ A defendant seeking to avoid answering questions so as not to incriminate himself is to be given some understanding and latitude in respecting his own interpretation. The beneficiary of a pardon could be called upon to … Continue reading Regina v Boyes; 27 May 1861
1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts
Where on a previous occasion the defendant had been acquitted with a formal verdict, after the prosecution had offered no evidence, it was not open to the prosecution later to return and allege a more serious offence based upon the same facts. The defendant was entitled to the benefit of the plea of autrefois acquit. … Continue reading Regina v G (Autrefois acquit): CACD 25 May 2001
Following his conviction for false accounting, a confiscation order was made against the defendant. After agreeing various adjournments the prosecutor said that the magistrates court had no power to allow such an adjournment under section 75(2) of the 1980 Act, because section 75(2)(a) of the 1988 Act did not allow magistrates to remit any part … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Greenacre: Admn 3 Apr 2007
The claimant appealed against the refusal of the return of money seized from him by the respondent’s officers under the 2002 Act. The magistrates had declined jurisdiction saying that the complaint was out of time. The claimant said that his request was neither a complaint nor an information so as to fall foul of the … Continue reading Davis v Leicestershire Constabulary: Admn 18 Jul 2012
Evidence of deceased complainants statement was admissible – still a person. Citations: Ind Summary 08-May-1995 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 106-1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.88028
A prisoner who had been remanded to police cells had no claim of damages for false imprisonment for his later non-release. Citations: Times 07-Feb-1996 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 128(7) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Torts – Other Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.81577
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
Appeal from finding that allegations were not out of time. Judges: Lady Justice Thirlwall Mr Justice Jeremy Baker Citations: [2022] EWHC 842 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes:
Judges: Gross LJ, Sweeney J Citations: [2018] EWHC 1044 (Admin), [2018] WLR(D) 276, [2018] 2 Cr App R 18, [2018] LLR 447, [2018] 1 WLR 3792, [2018] Crim LR 756 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes:
The defendant had admitted an offence under the 1997 Act but the magistrates had declined to make a restraining order. The police then sought and anti-social behaviour order. The defendant objected saying that the events upon which the claim was based were more tan six months old and not admissible. Held: It was important not … Continue reading Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary v Boorman: Admn 2 Nov 2005
The court considered three appeals where there had been a procedural irregularity, and where the judge had taken some step to overcome that irregularity. In two cases the Crown Court judge had reconstituted himself as a district judge to correct a decision before going on with the case. Held: The court should consider first whether … Continue reading Ashton , Regina v; Regina v Draz; Regina v O’Reilly: CACD 5 Apr 2006
An indictment had not been signed despite a clear statutory provision that it should be. The defects were claimed to have been cured by amendment before sentence. Held: The convictions failed. Sections 1(1) and 2(1) of the 1933 Act which provided for a bill of indictment (which had of itself no legal standing save as … Continue reading Clarke, Regina v; Regina v McDaid: HL 6 Feb 2008
The court considered the principles for sentencing for sexual assaults by youths and the decision of magistrates whether to decline jurisdiction. Leveson J: ‘That the position would be different for an older person is obvious. Had an adult behaved in this manner to a 13 year old boy, sexual gratification would have been an obvious … Continue reading H and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Southampton Youth Court: Admn 2 Dec 2004
In 2002 the SFO was investigating allegations that drug companies were selling generic drugs, including penicillin-based antibiotics and warfarin, to the National Health Service at artificially sustained prices. To further the investigation the SFO obtained search warrants and executed them. The company challenged the release of the documents recovered to other government departments. They had … Continue reading Regina (Kent Pharmaceuticals Ltd) v Serious Fraud Office: CA 11 Nov 2004
The defendant argued that the written charge in the case had not been issued within the necessary time period. He said that it had not been issued until it was in some way publicly available. The respondent argued that the requirement was satisfied at the point where the relevant prosecutor determined to issue it. The … Continue reading Brown v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 2 Apr 2019
The court considered how to apply the time limits in the section. There was a system for automatic electronic communication between the police and the court office. The six month time limit expired on the 16th December. The documents served on the defendant showed an ‘information date’ of 10th December, but the summons was dated … Continue reading Atkinson v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 12 May 2004
Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 636 Links: Bailii Statutes: Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 16, Magistrates Courts Act 1980 142(1) Criminal Practice, Magistrates Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.138757
Justices clerks are permitted to question fine defaulters as to their ability to pay, but must do so under enquiry without bias, and not as a prosecutor. A warrant for arrest for non-pyment of a fine was neither civil nor criminal in character, but in a category of its own. Citations: Times 13-Mar-1998, [1998] EWHC … Continue reading Regina v Corby Justices ex parte Agnes Mort: Admn 9 Mar 1998
The defendant faced a charge of robbery. More than six months after the alleged offence the prosecution sought to add alternate charges including one of common assault. The magistrates declined jurisdiction on the ground that, more than six months having elapsed since the date of the offence, new proceedings for the summary offence of common … Continue reading Regina v Scunthorpe Justices ex parte McPhee and Gallagher: Admn 24 Feb 1998
Application for judicial review of refusal of magistrates to allow adjournment of a hearing. Judges: Roch LJ, Potts LJ Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 191 Links: Bailii Statutes:
The concept of forfeiture in the Act was dependent upon the seizure of goods. The Act also made a distinction between the initial detention of goods and formal seizure. The six months time limit under the Magistrates Courts Act was calculated from seizure not detention. The seizure was challenged by a notice of claim. Until … Continue reading Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Venn and Others: QBD 11 Dec 2001
Citations: [1997] EWHC Admin 14 Links: Bailii Statutes:
The defendant company traded as A and J Bull Containers. They hired out a builder’s skip which was left out, unlit, on the highway at night. A cyclist rode into it and died. An information was laid against ‘A J Bull Ltd’, charging an offence under the Highways Act 1980. The hearing took place after … Continue reading Marco (Croydon) Ltd v Metropolitan Police Commissioner: QBD 1983
The defendant entered an unequivocal plea of guilty before the magistrates and was committed for sentence. By the Crown Court. After sentence, he sought to set aside the plea, wanting to file a defence under the 2015 Act, and requested a direction allowing that under section 142 of the 1980 Act. He was refused. Held: … Continue reading Harvey v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 29 Jan 2021
The defendants appealed by case stated from convictions under the 2006 Act arising from the treatment of cows including at a slaughterhouse. Arguments were put that the prosecution was time barred. Held: The court recognsed the limited role of the investigators and the CPS who would eventually institute proceedings. Time started running under s.31(1)(b) of … Continue reading Riley and Others v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 18 Oct 2016
The claimant had been imprisoned, but his conviction was later overturned. He had been a victim of a gross abuse of executive power. The British authorities had acted in breach of international law and had been guilty of ‘a blatant and extremely serious failure to adhere to the rule of law with regard to the … Continue reading Mullen, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 29 Apr 2004
In each case the local authority sought to recover possession of its own land. In the Lambeth case, they asserted this right as against an overstaying former tenant, and in the Leeds case as against gypsies. In each case the occupiers said that the recovery of possession interfered with their right respect for their family … Continue reading Kay and Another v London Borough of Lambeth and others; Leeds City Council v Price and others and others: HL 8 Mar 2006
Ban on Prisoners talking to Journalists unlawful The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without undertakings from the journalists not to publish any element of the interview. … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for The Home Department Ex Parte Simms: HL 8 Jul 1999
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
Sentencing of Political Protesters The defendants appealed against sentences for causing a public nuisance. They had been protesting against fracking by climbing aboard a lorry and blocking a main road for several days. Held: The appeals from immediate custodial sentences were successful, and suspended sentences imposed. The defendants had expressed remorse for their actions and … Continue reading Roberts and Others v Regina: CACD 6 Dec 2018
The complaint had been laid before Magistrates before the expiration of the time limit, but was only considered and the summons issued after the time limit. The House also considered the power of delegation where a justice of the peace or the clerk did not personally receive or consider the information in question. Held: The … Continue reading Regina v Manchester Stipendiary Magistrate, ex parte Hill and others: HL 1993
Thomas LJ said: ‘When the magistrates were faced with the application for an amendment, the law was clear and remains clear. The principles are set out in Section 123 and 127 of the Magistrates’ Court Act [1980] and in the single decision of this court to which it is necessary to refer, R v Scunthorpe … Continue reading Williams v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Jul 2009
The defendant effectively sought to appeal against his conviction on his own guilty plea to possession of wild bird eggs. They had been collected before possession itself was made an offence, and he had received them before the 2004 Act, after which only the person originally collecting an egg could lawfully possess it. He said … Continue reading Dodsworth v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 8 Nov 2010
The applicants had been made subject of anti-social behaviour orders. They challenged the basis upon which the orders had been made. Held: The orders had no identifiable consequences which would make the process a criminal one. Civil standards of evidence therefore applied, and hearsay evidence was admissible. Nevertheless, the test as to whether it was … Continue reading Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at Manchester Ex parte McCann and Others: HL 17 Oct 2002
Common Law – Public Nuisance – Extent The House considered the elements of the common law offence of public nuisance. One defendant faced accusations of having sent racially offensive materials to individuals. The second was accused of sending an envelope including salt to a friend as a joke. The envelope had leaked causing a terrorist … Continue reading Regina v Rimmington; Regina v Goldstein: HL 21 Jul 2005
There are no degrees of nullity The plaintiffs had owned mining property in Egypt. Their interests were damaged and or sequestrated and they sought compensation from the Respondent Commission. The plaintiffs brought an action for the declaration rejecting their claims was a nullity. The Commission replied that the courts were precluded from considering the question … Continue reading Anisminic Ltd v Foreign Compensation Commission: HL 17 Dec 1968
The House was asked whether section 127 was satisfied where the information was laid within 6 months from the date of the alleged offence but was not considered by a magistrate, and no summons was issued, until after the expiration of the time limit. The House also considered the power of delegation where a justice … Continue reading Regina v Manchester Stipendiary Magistrate, ex parte Hill; Hill v Anderton: HL 1982
The defendant had seized a dog after a biting incident. They sought its destruction. The owner said that they were out of time. The court was asked whether the time ran from the biting incident or the seizure.
Held: The owner’s appeal failed. . .
Two fraud prosecutions against the claimants had lasted for 15 and 20 years respectively.
Held: Article 6.1 applies to all stages of criminal proceedings, including sentencing and any appeal. The ‘reasonable time’ in criminal matters, . .
The Claimant aged 14 appeared before the Magistrates’ Court with a 20 year old Co-Defendant. The Magistrates declined jurisdiction in his case and the Claimant indicated Not Guilty pleas. The Magistrates concluded that it was in the interest of . .
The claimant having been released on licence from a prison sentence refused to comply with the conditions of his licence on the ground that he was entitled to be released unconditionally. He was returned to prison. The Divisional Court dismissed his . .
The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without . .
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