In each case litigants in person had sought to be allowed to have the assistance and services of a Mackenzie friend in children cases. In one case, the court had not allowed confidential documents to be disclosed to the friend. Held: The courts had been unhelpful to the parties appearing before them. If given access … Continue reading O and others (Children); In re O (Children), In re W-R (a Child), In re W (Children): CA 22 Jun 2005
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
At the council’s independent, single-sex grammar schools there were more places available for boys than girls. Consequently the council were obliged to set a higher pass mark for girls than boys in the grammar school entrance examination. Held: The council, as local education authority, had discriminated against girls. Discrimination can take place when a woman … Continue reading Regina v Birmingham City Council ex parte Equal Opportunities Commission: HL 1989
‘Mrs S is the maternal aunt of three children E, born in 1992; S, born in 1993 and T born in 1997 to her sister, who sadly has a history of mental illness. The only issue that I have to review this morning is the management of an application which she made for leave to … Continue reading Re G (Children): CA 14 Sep 2001
Judges: King, Lindblom, Peter Jackson LJJ Citations: [2019] EWCA Civ 575, [2019] WLR(D) 208 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Children Act 1989 31(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 14 June 2022; Ref: scu.635638
The court was asked, in proceedings for care and supervision orders under the Act, what have the local authority to be in a position to prove at the time when they make the application? To what extent can they rely upon evidence, which emerges, or events, which take place between the date of the application … Continue reading G (Children): CA 22 Jun 2001
A shared residence order may be still made if it is needed, but it remains an unusual order. Connell J discussed the guidance given as to shared residence orderButler-Sloss LJ said: ‘Miss Moulder, representing the father, accepts that the conventional order still is that there would be residence to one parent with contact to the … Continue reading A v A (Children: Shared Residence Order): CA 3 Feb 1994
Immediately after a child was born, the social worker began proceedings for it to be taken into care. The judge severely criticised the actions of the social worker before the birth. The local authority now appealed against an order at the conclusion of care proceedings that they should pay each parent damages in the sum … Continue reading In re V (a Child) (Care: pre-birth actions): CA 12 Oct 2004
The English mother married the Australian father in Australia and bore their child their. After divorce both parents had custody with no right to remove the child. The mother brought the child to England without the father’s consent. Held: The child had been removed wrongfully. The mother was not to be allowed to create a … Continue reading C v C (Minor:Abduction: Rights of Custody Abroad): CA 1989
Two children were born in Norway to a British mother (M) and Norwegian father (F). Having lived in Norway, M brought them to England to stay, but without F’s knowledge or consent. M replied to his application for their return that the children would be at risk if returned, alleging psychological abuse by F. She … Continue reading Re E (Children) (Abduction: Custody Appeal): SC 10 Jun 2011
The court considered whether it had the power to make an open ended passport order. Judges: Sir James Munby P FD, Black LJ Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 69, [2017] WLR(D) 102 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 31 January 2022; Ref: scu.575336
Interim Injunctions in Patents Cases The plaintiffs brought proceedings for infringement of their patent. The proceedings were defended. The plaintiffs obtained an interim injunction to prevent the defendants infringing their patent, but they now appealed its discharge by the Court of Appeal. Held: The questions which applied when looking for an interim injunction in patent … Continue reading American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd: HL 5 Feb 1975
The court considered whether discriminatory acts after the termination of employment were caught by the respective anti-discrimination Acts. The acts included a failure to give proper references. They pursued claims on the basis of victimisation after their primary discrimination claims. Held: The 1975 and 1976 Acts were similarly phrased and the wording in the 1995 … Continue reading Relaxion Group plc v Rhys-Harper; D’Souza v London Borough of Lambeth; Jones v 3M Healthcare Limited and three other actions: HL 19 Jun 2003
The court considered the approach to be taken when considering whether to order a child’s attendance at court in care proceedings. It was argued that the starting point of assuming that a child should not attend, failed to respect the human right to a fair trial of all concerned. Held: The existing law erects a … Continue reading In re W (Children) (Family proceedings: Evidence) (Abuse: Oral Evidence): SC 3 Mar 2010
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
The council had made an ex parte application to the magistrates to cancel the appellant’s registration as a child minder. Held: The court affirmed the order setting aside the magistrates decision. The circumstances which the council put before the justices did not constitute an emergency sufficient to justify a summary order without notice under section … Continue reading Bowden and Another v Lancashire County Council: CA 18 Jun 1994
Discharge of care order is the appropriate procedure not an appeal after very long time. The court considered its approach in admitting new evidence on appeal in family law cases: ‘The willingness of the family jurisdiction to relax the ordinary rules of issue estoppel, and (at the appellate stage) the constraints of Ladd v Marshall … Continue reading Re S (Minors)(Care Order: Appeal); Dyfed County Council v S, Re S (Discharge of Care Order): CA 6 Sep 1995
The OFT had considered whether it was necessary to refer a merger between two companies to the Competition Commission, and decided against. The Competition Appeal Tribunal held that the proposed merger should have been referred. The OFT and parties appealed. Held: The Tribunal had misdirected itself as to one test. The statutory test required the … Continue reading Office of Fair Trading and others v IBA Health Limited: CA 19 Feb 2004
The mother of the child on behalf of whom the application was made, was to face trial for murder. The child was in care and an order was sought to restrain publiction of material which might reveal his identity, including matters arising during the trial. Held: (Hale LJ dissenting) The court in this case was … Continue reading Re S (A Child): CA 10 Jul 2003
The claimant had produced the Star War films which made use of props, in particular a ‘Stormtrooper’ helmet designed by the defendant. The defendant had then himself distributed models of the designs he had created. The appellant obtained judgment against the respondent in the US for punitive damages, but these had not been collected, and … Continue reading Lucasfilm Ltd and Others v Ainsworth and Another: SC 27 Jul 2011
The father was not married to the mother who, without consulting the father, registered the child in the name of her former husband by whom she had previously had two children. The father sought various orders under the Children Act, including a parental responsibility order and a specific issue order to change the child’s surname … Continue reading Dawson v Wearmouth: CA 31 Jul 1997
B had been taken from her parents at birth, the local authority anticipating a risk of harm. The mother had suffered violence at the hands of the father, and also had convictions for dishonesty and making false allegations. The judge had made a care order in relation to B on the basis of a care … Continue reading In re B (A Child): CA 14 Nov 2012
Each claimant arrived as an unaccompanied child to claim asylum, and destitute. Assistance was provided under the 1989 Act until they were 18. They claimed a duty under the 200 Act to continue to assist them. Held: Under the 2000 Act a duty was owed to a ‘former relevant child’ – a person who had … Continue reading Regina (Behre and Others) v Hillingdon London Borough Council: Admn 29 Aug 2003
The court had to decide to which of two local authorities, responsibility for supervising a care order should be assigned. The child had moved to live with his grandparents. Held: The judge had been correct to find that family circumstances might justify not following the rules in Northamptonshire and Plymouth, but the case was not … Continue reading H (Child), Re (Care Order: Appropriate Local Authority): CA 18 Nov 2003
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
Judges: Mr Justice Davis Citations: [2005] EWHC 1753 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 01 November 2022; Ref: scu.229302
The plaintiff had a lump on her breast. The surgeon, without first subjecting the lump to a microscopic examination in order to determine whether it was cancerous or benign, removed the breast. This was in 1973. The lump was subsequently found to be benign. The patient knew very soon after the operation that the lump … Continue reading Dobbie v Medway Health Authority: CA 11 May 1994
County Court may not to stop a Local Authority who were not party to the case before them, from using their statutory powers with regard to the children. Citations: Ind Summary 09-Aug-1993, Gazette 13-Oct-1993, Times 29-Jul-1993 Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.79758
The claimant was disabled, and sought sterilisation because she feared the additional difficulties she would face as a mother. The sterilisation failed. She sought damages. Held: The House having considered the issue in MacFarlane only recently it was inappropriate to change the rules set down in that case. Nothing had been put forward to argue … Continue reading Rees v Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust: HL 16 Oct 2003
The claimant had applied to the Child Support Agncy for maintenance. They failed utterly to obtain payment, and she complained now that she was denied the opportunity by the 1991 Act to take court proceedings herself. Held: The denial of access to the courts under section 8 did not engage her civil rights. The Act … Continue reading Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v Kehoe: CA 5 Mar 2004
Grand Chamber – The first applicant said he had been injured by a shot fired by a British soldier who had been carried for two miles into the Republic of Ireland, clinging to the applicant’s vehicle following an incident at a checkpoint. Held: Rules granting the State immunities, did not infringe the applicants’ right to … Continue reading McElhinney v Ireland; Al-Adsani v United Kingdom; Fogarty v United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Nov 2001
The appellant female prisoner asserted that the much smaller number of probation and bail hostels provided for women prisoners when released on licence was discriminatory in leaving greater numbers of women far removed from their families. Held: A declaration was granted: ‘The provision of Approved Premises in England and Wales by the Secretary of State … Continue reading Coll, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 24 May 2017
The newspaper applied for leave to access documents referred to but not released during the course of extradition proceedings in open court. Held: The application was to be allowed. Though extradition proceedings were not governed by the Civil Procedure Rules, wider principles still applied. The open justice principle is a constitutional principle to be found … Continue reading Guardian News and Media Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: CA 3 Apr 2012
Procedures on Withdrawal of Life Support Treatment The patient had been severely injured in the Hillsborough disaster, and had come to be in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). The doctors sought permission to withdraw medical treatment. The Official Solicitor appealed against an order of the Court of Appeal permitting the action. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading Airedale NHS Trust v Bland: HL 4 Feb 1993
Mrs. Nessa arrived at Heathrow aged 55 having lived all her life in Bangladesh. Her husband, Mr. Mobarak Ali, had lived in the United Kingdom from 1962 until he died in 1975 and when she arrived here, Mrs. Nessa had a right of abode. She hoped to live with her husband’s brother. Her three children, … Continue reading Nessa v Chief Adjudication Officer: HL 3 Nov 1999
Proposed changes to the Legal Aid regulations were challenged as being invalid, for being discriminatory. If regulations are not authorised under statute, they will be invalid, even if they have been approved by resolutions of both Houses under the provisions of the relevant enabling Act. Held: The appeal succeeded as to the ultra vires issue.Lord … Continue reading The Public Law Project, Regina (on The Application of) v Lord Chancellor: SC 13 Jul 2016
The court looked at the role of the official solicitor in Part IV proceedings when giving his consent to act and when acting for a parent when that parent is alleged to lack litigation capacity and is said to be a ‘protected party’ within the meaning of the court rules. Held: There had not been … Continue reading RP v Nottingham City Council (Includes Official Solicitor Statement): CA 8 May 2008
Inherent High Court power may restrain Publicity The claimant child’s mother was to be tried for the murder of his brother by poisoning with salt. It was feared that the publicity which would normally attend a trial, would be damaging to S, and an application was made for reporting restrictions to be applied to avoid … Continue reading In re S (a Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): HL 28 Oct 2004
The appellants were magazines and journalists who published, after committal proceedings, the name of a witness, a member of the security services, who had been referred to as Colonel B during the hearing. An order had been made for his name not to be disclosed during the hearing, but the court had had no power … Continue reading Attorney-General v Leveller Magazine Ltd: HL 1 Feb 1979
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
he parents of H objected to the vaccination of their young baby. They now appealed from care and placement orders made as a consequence. They had also declined to register the birth saying that the authorities had no jurisdiction. As to vaccination there had been conflicting first instance decisions. Judges: Lady Justice King, Lord Justice … Continue reading Re H (A Child Parental Responsibility : Vaccination): CA 22 May 2020
Judge to hear oral evidence where affidavit evidence in stark contradiction. Citations: Ind Summary 21-Nov-1994 Statutes: Children Act 1989 8 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 09 July 2022; Ref: scu.85775
The occupier had been granted a temporary licence by the authority under the homelessness provisions whilst it made its assessment. The assessment concluded that she had become homeless intentionally, and therefore terminated the licence and set out to evict her. She claimed that the authority had to get a court authority before so evicting her. … Continue reading Desnousse v London Borough of Newham and others: CA 17 May 2006
Families had challenged the removal of their children into the care of foster parents by the respondents. The family father, who was blind, had taken to driving. The respondents appealed findings that they had acted unlawfully and in breach of the human rights of the families. There had been an Emergency protection Order, but the … Continue reading Langley and others v Liverpool City Council and others: CA 11 Oct 2005
The applcant, a girl aged 17 was in a young offender institution. She complained that she had been removed to segregation without first giving her chance to be heard. The respondent argued that there were sufficient post decision safeguards to ensure fairness. Held: Modern standards of fairnesss required that she be given opportunity to be … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v SP: CA 21 Dec 2004
The claimant had obtained judgment against customers of the defendant, and then freezing orders for the accounts. The defendants inadvertently or negligently allowed sums to be transferred from the accounts. The claimants sought repayment by the bank. Held: The bank was liable. ‘a duty ought to be imposed on the Bank, towards claimants who have … Continue reading Customs and Excise v Barclays Bank Plc: CA 22 Nov 2004
The applicant sought an order that his application for a joint residence order should be held in public. Held: Though there was some attractiveness in the applicant’s arguments, the issue had been fully canvassed by the ECHR. The time had come for the court to consider in each case whether a proper balance of competing … Continue reading Pelling v Bruce-Williams, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs intervening: CA 5 Jul 2004
A scheme had been introduced to arrange pre-entry clearance for visitors to the United Kingdom by posting of immigration officers in the Czech Republic. The claimants argued that the system was discriminatory, because Roma visitors were now subjected to a much more rigorous examination than others, and also that the arrangement put the respondent in … Continue reading European Roma Rights Centre and others v Immigration Officer at Prague Airport and Another: CA 20 May 2003
Where, after a children case has been heard, a party wishes to apply for the release of papers, the application should be made before the judge who had heard the case. To do otherwise left the second judge making a difficult assessment with insufficient direct knowledge of the issues and people involved. Judges: Lord Justice … Continue reading A Health Authority v Dr X and Others: CA 21 Dec 2001
The duty placed on social services authority under Children Act 1989 s17 is a target duty owed to children in general and not justiciable by judicial review – no duty in law to meet assessed needs by providing alternative accommodation for the whole family. As to the decision in Horvath, the system must provide for … Continue reading Banomova v Secretary of State for Home Department: CA 25 May 2001
Application for permission to move for judicial review of the decision of the London Borough of Hounslow not to house Mrs. Bibi and her children as required by section 20 of the Children Act 1989. Judges: Tucker J Citations: [1999] EWHC Admin 711 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 20 Housing, Local Government, Children Updated: … Continue reading Application for Permission; Bibi: Admn 20 Jul 1999
This is an application by a journalist, Ms Tickle, relating to a completed Children Act 1989 care case involving Herefordshire County Council (‘HCC’). Ms Tickle wishes to be allowed to see certain documents and to screen an interview with the Mother in that case (‘Ms Logan’) within a forthcoming BBC Panorama programme. The intention is … Continue reading Tickle v Herefordshire County Council and Others: FD 4 May 2022
Section 17(1) imposes an obligation in respect of the needs of an individual child. Judges: Kay J Citations: (1997) 29 HLR 756, [1997] EWHC Admin 4, (1997) 1 CCLR 294 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 17(1) Cited by: Cited – Regina v Mayor and Burgesses of London Borough of Barking and Dagenham ex parte … Continue reading Regina v Mayor and Burgesses of London Borough of Tower Hamlets ex parte Anita Bradford Raymond Bradford, Simon Bradford (a Minor By His Next Friend Raymond Bradford): Admn 13 Jan 1997
The child was severely disabled and was to be schooled as a weekday boarder 75 miles from home. He sought assistance with the travelling expenses when his condition worsened and the arrangements became more burdensome. Held: It was not open to a local authority to refuse to contribute to a child’s travelling expenses to a … Continue reading Regina v Islington London Borough Council, ex parte G A (a Child): Admn 20 Oct 2000
K, aged 16, had left home to join what was said to be a religious sect. His whereabouts were unknown. He had been made a ward of court and the Official Solicitor was appointed to represent his interests. He had sent messages to say that he was well and did not wish to return. The … Continue reading Kelly (A Minor) v British Broadcasting Corporation: FD 25 Jul 2000
Care proceedings were commenced in respect of two children. The court directed the local authority to carry out an assessment which would require in effect the full time attention of a social worker, the child having been taken into care. The authority replied that it would undertake the assessment but that there would be a … Continue reading Berkshire County Council v C and others: QBD 1993
Where a child coming into care had had connection with two local authorities beforehand, the primary statutory responsibility for care would be determined by assessing which was the authority with a connection to the child immediately before the period to be disregarded under the Act for any temporary placement. The court reaffirmed the simple test … Continue reading Plymouth City Council v C and Another: CA 21 Mar 2000
The applicant had sought a student loan to support his studies as a mature student. It was refused because he would be over 55 at the date of the commencement of the course. He claimed this was discriminatory. Held: The Convention required the state not to prevent access to education, not a duty to subsidise … Continue reading Douglas v North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council: CA 19 Dec 2003
An order was sought to protect from publicity a child whose mother faced trial for the murder of his brother. The child was now in care. Held: The court must balance the need to protect the child with the need for freedom of the press. The issue in the case was not itself about the … Continue reading In re S (A Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): CA 10 Jul 2003
The court considered an applicaion for the termination of parental resonsibility for the father. Judges: Singer J Citations: [1995] 3 FCR 753 Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 08 May 2022; Ref: scu.523339
The claimant suffered psychiatric injury in a rail crash caused by the defendant’s negligence. Under this condition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the claimant had later gone on to kill another person, and he had been detained under section 41. He now sought damages for his loss of earnings through detention in prison and mental hospital. … Continue reading Gray v Thames Trains and Others: HL 17 Jun 2009
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
The parents were married, but separated after the wife became pregnant. Both the father and mother registered the birth, but under different first names. The father was first, and the mother’s registration was cancelled. None of the authorities about surname disputes applied to a child’s first name. The surname by which a child was registered … Continue reading In re H (Child’s name: First name): CA 29 Jan 2002
Child A’s doctors considered that she would need treatment over the following two years and that this could involve the need for blood transfusions at any time. The parents were Jehovah’s Witnesses and refused consent. Held: The order allowing a transfusion to be given was made. The child’s need for blood was so overwhelming that, … Continue reading Camden London Borough Council v R (A Minor) (Blood Transfusion); in Re R (A Minor)(Blood Transfusion): FD 8 Jun 1993
Police’s Complete Immunity was Too Wide (Grand Chamber) A male teacher developed an obsession with a male pupil. He changed his name by deed poll to the pupil’s surname. He was required to teach at another school. The pupil’s family’s property was subjected to numerous acts of vandalism, which the police investigated and in respect … Continue reading Osman v The United Kingdom: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
Upon the allegedly negligent release of the claimant from mental health care, she had, while in the midst of a serious psychotic episode, derived from the schizophrenia, killed her mother and been convicted of manslaughter. She now sought damages in negligence. The defendant relied upon a defence of illegality. Held: All the heads of claim … Continue reading Henderson v Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust: CA 3 Aug 2018
D, a young adult had a mild learning disability and other more serious conditions. He was taken into a hospital providing mental health services. The external door was locked, and a declaration was sought to permit this deprivation of his liberty, and whether his parents could give consent for it. Held: (LL Carnwath and Lloyd-Jones … Continue reading In re D (A Child): SC 26 Sep 2019
A child bailed to a Local Authority may be made subject to a secure accommodation order. Citations: Times 05-Jul-1994 Statutes: Children Act 1989 25 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 18 April 2022; Ref: scu.81775
Claim for judicial review concerning the decision of a local authority that a child was not a ‘child in need’ for the purposes of section 17 of the Children Act 1989, and the consequential refusal to provide the child and her parents with accommodation. Judges: Jeremy Baker J Citations: [2018] WLR(D) 55, [2018] EWHC 61 … Continue reading Stewart, Regina (on The Application of) v Birmingham City Council: Admn 24 Jan 2018
Judges: Singer J Citations: [2004] EWHC 3180 (Fam), [2005] 2 FCR 265, [2005] 2 All ER 752, [2005] 2 FLR 1212, [2005] Fam Law 692, [2005] 1 WLR 3246 Links: Bailii, Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children, Child Support Updated: 24 March 2022; Ref: scu.581091
This appeal is concerned with the liability of a local authority for what is alleged to have been a negligent failure to exercise its social services functions so as to protect children from harm caused by third parties. The principal question of law which it raises is whether a local authority or its employees may … Continue reading Poole Borough Council v GN and Another: SC 6 Jun 2019
B had been removed into care at birth. The parents now appealed against a care order made with a view to B’s adoption. The Court was asked as to the situation where the risks were necessarily only anticipated, and as to appeals against a finding of fact. Held: (Lady Hale dissenting) The appeal was dismissed. … Continue reading Re B (A Child) (Care Proceedings: Threshold Criteria): SC 12 Jun 2013
(Hong Kong) The claimant deposited money with a licensed deposit taker, regulated by the Commissioner. He lost his money when the deposit taker went into insolvent liquidation. He said the regulator was responsible when it should have known of the difficulties. Held: The requirements for a duty of care were a foreseeability of harm, and … Continue reading Yuen Kun-Yeu v Attorney-General of Hong Kong: PC 1987
The claimant had arrived from Afhganistan and sought asylum and accomodation as a child. The social worker involved assessed him to be an adult. Held: The decision was within the duties of the local authorities. Judges: Bennett J Citations: [2008] EWHC 1364 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 6 8, Children Act … Continue reading M and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Lambeth and others: Admn 20 Jun 2008
Balance of Interests in peaceful enjoyment claim (Plenary Court) The claimants challenged orders expropriating their properties for redevelopment, and the banning of construction pending redevelopment. The orders remained in place for many years. Held: Article 1 comprises three distinct rules: the first rule, set out in the first sentence of the first paragraph, is general … Continue reading Sporrong and Lonnroth v Sweden: ECHR 23 Sep 1982
Abuse of Process and Re-litigation The court set down the principles to be applied in abuse of process cases, where a matter was raised again which should have been dealt with in earlier proceedings. Sir James Wigram VC said: ‘In trying this question I believe I state the rule of the Court correctly when I … Continue reading Henderson v Henderson: 20 Jul 1843
Power to call in is administrative in nature The powers of the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his decision, and certain other planning powers, were essentially an administrative power, and not a judicial one, and therefore it was not a breach of the applicants’ rights to a fair hearing before … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001
The wife joined in a charge on the family home to secure her husband’s business borrowings. The husband was found to have misrepresented to her the effect of the deed, and the bank had been aware that she might be reluctant to sign the deed. Held: The charge was not to be enforced. The bank … Continue reading Barclays Bank Plc v O’Brien and Another: HL 21 Oct 1993
The plaintiff firm of solicitors sought to recover money which had been stolen from them by a partner, and then gambled away with the defendant. He had purchased their gaming chips, and the plaintiff argued that these, being gambling debts, were worthless, and that therefore no consideration had been given. Held: The casino’s defence succeeded. … Continue reading Lipkin Gorman (a Firm) v Karpnale Ltd: HL 6 Jun 1991
The President of the Family Division, And, Sir Duncan Ouseley [2021] EWHC 1253 (Fam), [2021] 3 WLR 875, [2021] WLR(D) 280, [2021] Fam 404 Bailii, WLRD Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Children Act 1989, European Convention on Human Rights England and Wales Children, International, Human Rights Updated: 04 January 2022; Ref: scu.663809
The court considered applications in the case of a proposed adoption of a child LB. The mother, Latvian, and the Latvian authorities opposed the application, saying that the child’s future should be settled in Latvia. CB had been taken into care under section 20 after findings of lack of care. Moylan J [2014] EWHC 4532 … Continue reading London Borough of Merton v LB: FD 19 Dec 2014
Minor Irregularity in Break Notice Not Fatal Leases contained clauses allowing the tenant to break the lease by serving not less than six months notice to expire on the third anniversary of the commencement date of the term of the lease. The tenant gave notice to determine the leases on 12th January 1995, although the … Continue reading Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Assurance: HL 21 May 1997
Former HL decision in Siebe Gorman overruled The company had become insolvent. The bank had a debenture and claimed that its charge over the book debts had become a fixed charge. The preferential creditors said that the charge was a floating charge and that they took priority. Held: The appeal was allowed. The debenture, although … Continue reading National Westminster Bank plc v Spectrum Plus Limited and others: HL 30 Jun 2005
The court was asked as to a point in the context of care proceedings as to the respective functions of the family court when exercising its jurisdiction under Part IV of the Children Act 1989 and of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal when hearing an appeal pursuant to section 326 of the 1996 … Continue reading X County Council v DW and Others: FD 11 Feb 2005
An expert’s report was required for the purposes of care proceedings. The court ordered that the cost be paid as to half by the local authority, where there were three other parties. The authority appealed. Held: The authority’s appeal was allowed. The proportionate basis, where the cost was divided equally between the four parties was … Continue reading Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council v S and Another: FD 18 Oct 2004
Appeal from a dismissal of an application by the Appellant Mother of an application made under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 for a lump sum payment for the benefit of her daughter to meet, or to contribute to, (a) the costs of the Schedule 1 claim (the Schedule 1 proceedings) and (b) proceedings … Continue reading CF v KM: FD 13 Jul 2010
The courts having decided that the two applicant children must be housed by the respndent, the children now, by their best friend, sought an order that the authority must house their parents also. Swift J [2013] EWHC 2475 (Admin) Bailii Children Act 1989 17 Housing, Children Updated: 18 November 2021; Ref: scu.514340
Whitmar claimed damages for breach of contract; an account of profits; damages for breach of fiduciary duty and/or for infringement of its Database Rights under the Copyright and Rights in Database Regulations 1997; and for a permanent injunction restraining the Defendants from using and disclosing its confidential information obtained during their employment by Whitmar. Held: … Continue reading Whitmar Publications Ltd v Gamage and Others: ChD 4 Jul 2013
Same Sex Paartner to Inherit as Family Member The claimant had lived with the original tenant in a stable and long standing homosexual relationship at the deceased’s flat. After the tenant’s death he sought a statutory tenancy as a spouse of the deceased. The Act had been extended to include as a spouse someone living … Continue reading Fitzpatrick v Sterling Housing Association Ltd: HL 28 Oct 1999
The claimant suffered locked-in syndrome and sought relief in a form which would allow others to assist him in committing suicide. The court considered whether the case should be allowed to proceed rather than to be struck out as hopeless. Held: The case was arguable and should be allowed to proceed: ‘However, the point that … Continue reading Nicklinson v Ministry of Justice and Others: QBD 12 Mar 2012
The defendant appealed against his conviction for possessing a loaded shotgun. He had wished to advance a defence to the effect that on the previous evening he had taken it ‘off a geezer who was going to do some damage with it’ in order to stop him. Held: The duress of circumstances defence can apply … Continue reading Regina v Pommell: CACD 16 May 1995
The child had been born in Britain to British citizen parents from Pakistan and India. There had been care proceedings, but later and with the court’s consent the father took him to Pakistan undertaking to return him, but then failed to do so. Contact was re-established, but the child was now habitually resident in Pakistan. … Continue reading In Re I (A Child): SC 1 Dec 2009
The claimant sought equal pay with other, male, warehouse operatives who were doing work of equal value but for more money. The Court of Appeal had held that since other men were also employed on the same terms both as to pay and work, her claim failed. Held: The claim was not disbarred in this … Continue reading Pickstone v Freemans Plc: HL 30 Jun 1988
The principal claimants sold the rights to take photographs of their wedding to a co-claimant magazine (OK). Persons acting on behalf of the defendants took unauthorised photographs which the defendants published. The claimants had retained joint copyright over the photographs and reserved a right to control publication of any particular photographs. In return they made … Continue reading Douglas and others v Hello! Ltd and others (No 3): CA 18 May 2005
On 21 March 1990 the mother removed the child, aged two, from Australia, where he had been habitually resident, to England with the intention of permanently residing here. She did so without the knowledge of the father who also resided in Australia but who, not having been married to the mother, had at that time … Continue reading In re J (a Minor) (Abduction: Custody rights): HL 1 Jul 1990
The father sought leave to appeal against care orders made in respect of his three children. The family were Pakistani Pathan muslims. There had been disputes and violence within the extended family. One family member sought protection but was now alleged herself to be responsible for threats and violence. After a fire, the children were … Continue reading AM v Local Authority and Another; Re B-M (Care Orders): CA 16 Mar 2009
The deceased soldier died of heat exhaustion whilst on active service in Iraq. It was said that he was owed a duty under human rights laws, and that any coroner’s inquest should be a fuller one to satisfy the state’s duty under Article 2. Held: The SSD’s appeal succeeded. ‘jurisdiction’ within the meaning of Article … Continue reading Smith, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Defence and Oxfordshire Assistant Deputy Coroner (Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening): SC 30 Jun 2010
(Grand Chamber) The applicants complained that on being arrested on suspicion of offences, samples of their DNA had been taken, but then despite being released without conviction, the samples had retained on the Police database. Held: (Unanimous) The retention was unlawful. Though other member states retained some DNA samples in certain conditions, the UK was … Continue reading Marper v United Kingdom; S v United Kingdom: ECHR 4 Dec 2008
The claimant wished to be rehoused by the defendant authority. He complained that their allocations policy was unlawful. Once an applicant was deemed in priority need, he entered a pool if such persons and houses were allocated (save in extreme cases) to the persons longest on that list. He said that the policy should have … Continue reading Ahmad, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Newham: HL 4 Mar 2009
The applicants had been imprisoned and held without trial, being suspected of international terrorism. No criminal charges were intended to be brought. They were foreigners and free to return home if they wished, but feared for their lives if they did. A British subject, who was suspected in the exact same way, and there were … Continue reading A v Secretary of State for the Home Department, and X v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Dec 2004
