The complainant has requested the PHSO to disclose two letters held on his complaint file. The PHSO refused to disclose the requested information citing sections 40 and 44(1)(a) of the FOIA. For section 44 (1)(a) of the FOIA the PHSO cited the statutory prohibition on disclosure created by the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967. The Commissioner’s … Continue reading Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (Other): ICO 23 Jan 2018
The applicants sought judicial review of the defendant’s response to a report of the Parliamentary Ombudsman finding maladministration by the defendant in rejecting the recommendation for compensation. Held: The respondent’s rejection of the recommendations in some cases lacked cogency and fell short of the requirement.Carnwath LJ said: ”Discussion: In considering the application of Bradley to … Continue reading Equitable Members Action Group, Regina (On the Application of) v Her Majesty’s Treasury: Admn 15 Oct 2009
The deceased had assigned his coal merchant business to the respondent against a promise to pay andpound;5.00 a week to his widow whilst she lived. The respondent appealed an order requiring him to make the payments, saying that as a consolidating Act, the 1925 Act should not be read to change the common law. Held: … Continue reading Beswick v Beswick: HL 29 Jun 1967
The petitioners complained that the Secretary of State for Transport was guilty of maladministration in confirming Road Orders without seeking an assurance from Norfolk County Council that the Balchins would be given adequate compensation for the effect of the road on their home. They now challenged the Ombudsman’s report which had rejected their complaint. Held: … Continue reading Regina v Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration ex parte Balchin: Admn 25 Oct 1996
Parliamentary Commissioners decisions are reviewable, but range of the discretion given to him by the Act is very wide, and his decisions will only rarely be susceptible to review. He is answerable to Parliament. Citations: Gazette 19-Jan-1994, Times 27-Oct-1993, Independent 26-Oct-1993, [1994] 1 WLR 621, [1993] EWHC Admin 3 Links: Bailii Statutes: Parliamentary Commissioner Act … Continue reading Regina v Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration ex parte Dyer: QBD 19 Oct 1993
The complainant asked the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman for the names of MPs who had referred complaints to the PHSO on behalf of constituents about premium rate telephone services (with respect to television phone-in shows). The PHSO explained that the Ombudsman is subject to a statutory bar contained in the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967. … Continue reading Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (Decision Notice): ICO 8 Aug 2011
The House considered the power of an officer of the Board of Inland Revenue to seize and remove materials found on premises which a warrant obtained on application to the Common Serjeant authorised him to enter and search; but where the source of the power limited the power of seizure and removal to things ‘which … Continue reading Regina v Inland Revenue Commissioners ex parte Rossminster Ltd: HL 13 Dec 1979
The claimant was concerned that the Financial Service Authority had failed properly to supervise the de-mutualisation of the Scottish Widows insurance company, and had not identified a failure to disclose very substantial potential liabilities. He now complained that the respondent had said she had no jurisdiction to investigate. Held: The respondent’s view that the FSA … Continue reading Senior-Milne, Regina (On the Application of) v The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman: Admn 8 Sep 2009
The complainant wrote to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to request information regarding its handling of a complaint he had previously made against the Planning Inspectorate. Whilst the public authority disclosed to the complainant . .
The complainant wrote to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to request information regarding 80 complaints referred to the Ombudsman between 2006 and 2007 by Dr Tony Wright MP. The Ombudsman responded to the request by explaining that . .
The complainant wrote to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to request information regarding a complaint he had made to the public authority against the Department for Trade and Industry. The public authority responded to the complaint . .
References: Gazette 19-Jan-1994, Times 27-Oct-1993, Independent 26-Oct-1993, [1994] 1 WLR 621 Parliamentary Commissioners decisions are reviewable, but range of the discretion given to him by the Act is very wide, and his decisions will only rarely be susceptible to review. He is answerable to Parliament. Statutes: Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 This case is cited by: … Continue reading Regina v Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration ex parte Dyer: QBD 18 Oct 1993
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The claimant had lost his company pension and complained that the respondent had refused to follow the recommendation of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration that compensation should be paid. Held: The court should not rely on evidence given by the Ombudsman to a parliamentary select committee committee: ‘to allow the evidence of a witness to … Continue reading Bradley and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Admn 21 Feb 2007
The parties had married, but the male partner was a transsexual, having been born female and having undergone treatment for Gender Identity Dysphoria. After IVF treatment, the couple had a child. As the marriage broke down the truth was revealed in court, but the plaintiff said that his wife had known the true position. He … Continue reading J v S T (Formerly J): CA 21 Nov 1996
Complaint was made as to a leaflet PEC 3 issued by the Department in 1996, intended to summarise the changes introduced by the Pensions Act 1995, and their purpose. One answer given was: ‘The Government wanted to remove any worries people had about the safety of their occupational (company) pension following the Maxwell affair.’ The … Continue reading Bradley and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 7 Feb 2008
The company went into insolvent liquidation. The secretary of state was to make payments to employees and there were other state preferential creditors. At the same time a refund of VAT was due from the Commissioners of customs and Excise. Held: The sums paid out and preferential debts could be set off against the VAT … Continue reading Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Frid: HL 13 May 2004
On the proper inerpretation of the legislation, the extent of application of the legislative regime is determined by reference to the concept of the UK’s territorial waters as defined from time to time by the Crown. When the exercise of the Royal Prerogative directly effects an extension or contraction of the jurisdiction without the constitutional … Continue reading Post Office v Estuary Radio Ltd: CA 1968
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
Reference to Parliamentary Papers behind Statute The inspector sought to tax the benefits in kind received by teachers at a private school in having their children educated at the school for free. Having agreed this was a taxable emolument, it was argued as to whether the taxable benefit was the cost to the employer, or … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992
The Property of Every Man is Sacred The King’s Messengers entered the plaintiff’s house and seized his papers under a warrant issued by the Secretary of State, a government minister. Held: The common law does not recognise interests of state as a justification for allowing what would otherwise be an unlawful search. Lord Camden CJ … Continue reading Entick v Carrington: KBD 1765
The court was asked whether nurses could properly involve themselves in a pregnancy termination procedure not known when the Act was passed, and in particular, whether a pregnancy was ‘terminated by a medical practitioner’, when it was carried out by nurses acting on the instructions of such a practitioner. Held: The phrase ‘treatment for the … Continue reading Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom v Department of Health and Social Security: HL 2 Jan 1981
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
Court to seek and Apply Parliamentary Intention The appellant challenged the practice of permitting cell nuclear replacement (CNR), saying it was either outside the scope of the Act, or was for a purpose which could not be licensed under the Act. Held: The challenge failed. The court was to give effect to the intentions of … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Health ex parte Quintavalle (on behalf of Pro-Life Alliance): HL 13 Mar 2003
The claimant sought a declaration that the administration of an abortifacient drug was not ‘any treatment for the termination of pregnancy’ for the purposes of section 1 of the 1967 Act, allowing the piloting and possible adoption of early medical abortions in part self-administered. Held: The request was refused. Parliament had passed the Act aware … Continue reading British Pregnancy Advisory Service v Secretary of State for Health: Admn 14 Feb 2011
The 1995 Regulations imposed a levy on fish both caught and first landed in the UK and also on imported fish products. The claimants, importers challenged the validity of the latter charges, saying that they went beyond the power given by the 1981 Act, and also were contrary to EU law. Held: The appeal succeeded. … Continue reading Bloomsbury International Ltd v Sea Fish Industry Authority and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: SC 15 Jun 2011
The House was asked two questions: the meaning of ‘confession’ for the purposes of section 76(1) of the 1984 Act, and as to the defence of duress. The defendant had been involved in burglary, being told his family would be harmed if he refused. The person making the threat had boasted of murders one of … Continue reading Hasan, Regina v: HL 17 Mar 2005
