Arthur Francis v The Chief of Police: PC 5 Feb 1973

(St. Christopher and Nevis and Anguilla) The appellant had spoken at a public meeting using a microphone without first obtaining the required license. The meeting itself ha already been approved. He complained that his arrest under the law had been unconstitutional. The magistrate referred for the determination of the High Court the question whether section 5 of the Public Meetings and Processions Act 1969 offended against section 10 of the Constitution. The High Court held that section 5 of the Act did not infringe the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by section 10 of the Constitution and their decision was affirmed by the Court of Appeal.
Held: , Dismissing the appeal, the control of loudspeakers at public meetings by section 5 of the Act of 1969 was not contrary to section 10 of the Constitution, for public order required that the public, who did not wish to hear the speaker, be protected from any excessive noise. Per curiam. A wrongful refusal of permission to use a loudspeaker at a public meeting (for instance if the refusal is inspired by political partiality) would be an unjustified and therefore unconstitutional interference with freedom of communication.

Citations:

[1973] UKPC 4, [1974] Crim LR 50, [1973] 2 WLR 505, [1973] AC 761, [1973] 2 All ER 251

Links:

Bailii

Commonwealth, Crime, Constitutional

Updated: 19 September 2022; Ref: scu.444390