The defendant was told by a police officer to park up his car. He did so, but stopped with his wheel, trapping the officer’s foot. The magistrates were unable to decide whether the parking on the officer’s foot was deliberate, but agreed that leaving it there had been deliberate. Held: James J described the distinction … Continue reading Fagan v Metropolitan Commissioner: 31 Jul 1968
A transport examiner investigating compliance with the drivers hours regulations was allowed to remove records from an office for examination, and a company refusing him to be allowed to do that committed an offence. Where removal was necessary, whether because of the number of documents or the absence of adequate copying facilities, an examiner must … Continue reading Cantabrica Coach Holdings Limited v Vehicle Inspectorate (on Appeal From a Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division): HL 22 Nov 2001
The defendant appealed his conviction for murder wishing to bring in evidence of his diminished responsibility at the time of the offence. Held: The evidence was admitted, but the conviction was upheld. The court took the opportunity to give guidance on the admission of new medical evidence procedures in court of appeal with new Act. … Continue reading Regina v Jones (Steven Martin): CACD 23 Jul 1996
Mens Rea essential element of statutory Offence The appellant had been convicted under the Act 1965 of having been concerned in the management of premises used for smoking cannabis. This was a farmhouse which she visited infrequently. The prosecutor had conceded that she was unaware that the premises were used for that purpose. Held: The … Continue reading Sweet v Parsley: HL 23 Jan 1969
The claimant had obtained a privacy injunction, but the name of the claimant had nevertheless been widey distributed on the Internet. The defendant newspaper now sought to vary the terms. The second defendant did not oppose the injunction. Additionally the claimant said that given that the defendant claimed to have clean hands in the matter, … Continue reading CTB v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Thomas (2): QBD 23 May 2011
The appellant was committed under 1881 Act to await his return to Ghana to face trial on corruption charges. He applied for a writ of habeas corpus contending inter alia that it would be unjust and oppressive to return him since he would be liable to be tried under the provisions of the Corrupt Practices … Continue reading Armah v Government of Ghana and Another: HL 1968
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
Exercise of Ministerial Discretion The Minister had power to direct an investigation in respect of any complaint as to the operation of any marketing scheme for agricultural produce. Milk producers complained about the price paid by the milk marketing board for their milk when compared with prices paid to producers in other regions. The Minister … Continue reading Padfield v Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: HL 14 Feb 1968
The appellant challenged a confiscation order made on his conviction of VAT fraud. It was argued that one could not be made unless a proper notice had been given, and none of the offences occurred before 1995. On the assumption that section 1 of the . .
Counsel does have a right to make 2nd application for leave to appeal. . .
The accused dishonestly falsified a number of insurance cover notes which were said to be documents required for an accounting purpose, namely, those of the persons who had sought cover and to whom the cover notes were forwarded. The accused ran his . .
The court gave its reasons for allowing the defendant’s appeal against his conviction for rape. New psychological evidence as to his condition at the time had revealed a morbid jealousy and Asperger’s Syndrome, and was liable to misunderstand in . .
The two defendants appealed against sentences for being involved in importation of drugs. They said that they had assisted the police.
Held: The Court of Appeal Criminal Division is, in relation to sentencing, a court of review. Its function . .
The prisoners appealed the review of the recommended minimum terms they must serve on that term being reviewed by the court, saying that the court should have made allowance for the exceptional progress to rehabilitation made in prison.
Held: . .
. .
Diplock LJ said: ‘In its criminal jurisdiction, which it has inherited from the Court of Criminal Appeal, the Court of Appeal does not apply the doctrine of stare decisis with the same rigidity as in its civil jurisdiction. If upon due consideration . .
References: (1968) 52 Cr App R 700, [1969] 1 QB 439, [1968] 3 All ER 442, [1968] EWHC 1 (QB) Links: Bailii Coram: The LCJ, James J, Bridge J (dissenting) Ratio: The defendant was told by a police officer to park up his car. He did so, but stopped with his wheel, trapping the officer’s … Continue reading Fagan v Metropolitan Commissioner; 31 Jul 1968
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 defendants appealed against their convictions for murder. They alleged that the police record of an interview central to the cases had been falsified. Held: To allow an appeal the court must conclude that the conviction is unsafe. The evidence at trial was that the record was accurate and contemporaneous, but that now appeared to … Continue reading Regina v Maynard, Dudley etc: CACD 31 Jul 2002
‘This is an appeal by Malcolm Horsman against his conviction of murder on 1 June 2000 at the Central Criminal Court before His Honour Judge Hyam, the Recorder of London, and a jury. It is argued on his behalf that the judge mis-directed the jury on provocation, and that, in addition, there is evidence which … Continue reading Regina v Horsman: CACD 14 Dec 2001
The appellant appealed her conviction for grievous bodily harm, presenting the evidence of two new witnesses. The new evidence was direct eye witness evidence of self defence. Held: The new evidence fell within the requirements of the 1968 Act and was admissible on an appeal. The evidence went direct as to the central issues, and … Continue reading Nowell, Regina v: CACD 27 Nov 2002
When asked whether the appellate courts in England and Wales should entertain additional evidence under the section, which required the court to be satisfied that there was a reasonable explanation for the failure to adduce it: ‘The court has in general to be satisfied that the evidence could not with reasonable diligence have been obtained … Continue reading Regina v Beresford: CACD 1971
Medical evidence available at the time of the trial of the defendant for murder had been against diminished responsibility but there was said to be fresh evidence in favour of it now available for the appeal. Held: ‘In the view of this Court, cases must be rare indeed when the defence have chosen to run … Continue reading Regina v Dodd: CACD 10 Jun 1971
Where fresh evidence from a witness who was not available for the trial is sought to be adduced on an appeal, the evidence must also include evidence or explanation as to the background of the new evidence or change in evidence. Citations: Times 09-May-2000 Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 23 Criminal Evidence, Criminal Practice Updated: … Continue reading Regina v James (Walter): CACD 9 May 2000
The court was asked as to as to the circumstances in which s.23 of the 1968 Act applies to fresh evidence or other information which an appellant may seek to adduce before this court on an appeal against sentence. Held: The rules applicable to the admission of fresh evidence under sectio 23 apply also to … Continue reading Rogers, Regina v: CACD 1 Jul 2016
The defendant, with learning difficulties had been subject to a cross examination described as akin to a closing speech. He appealed from conviction, saying that the court had given insufficient consideration to his disability, making the conviction unfair. Held: The appeal succeeded. The impression created by the defendant was crucial to his defence, and the … Continue reading Jones, Regina v: CACD 21 Dec 2018
The Court of Appeal has power to receive and call for additional evidence in interests of justice, and even though it had been ruled inadmissible at the trial if was relevant. Gazette 29-Nov-1995, Ind Summary 06-Nov-1995 Criminal Appeal Act 1991 23(1), Criminal Appeal Act 1968 23(1) England and Wales Criminal Evidence, Criminal Practice Updated: 08 … Continue reading Regina v Gilfoyle: CACD 6 Nov 1995
The defendant appealed a conviction for the attempted murder of his wife. It had been said that he had killed her, then set fire to the house. She gave evidence in his defence, but certain parts of her evidence were excluded. She had suffered retrograde amnesia, and had sought counselling help to recover her memory. … Continue reading Regina v Tully: CACD 25 Jan 2002
Appeal against conviction brought with the leave of the full court and which depends upon the admission of fresh evidence pursuant to section 23 of the 1968 Act. . .
The defendant appealed his conviction for murder saying that evidence later obtained suggested that he was suffering diminished responsibility at the time of the offence.
Held: The evidence was not admitted. It was not sufficiently strong to . .
The defendant appealed a conviction for robbery. Two other older youths had been involved, and he claimed to have had minimal involvement and to have acted under duress. He complained that expert psychiatric evidence as to his susceptibility to . .
The defendant appealed against his conviction for murder saying that at the time of the offence he suffered a paranoid psychotic illness which would have substantially impaired his mental responsibility for his acts. He was not regarded as insane as . .
Appeal to request substitution of conviction for manslaughter for conviction for murder on grounds of diminished responsibility. Whether fresh evidence should now be admitted. . .
The defendant appealed against her conviction for murder, based upon her own informal confessions to third parties.
Held: The appeal was dismissed. There were proper reasons choices made at trial about what evidence should be put forward, and . .
The defendant appealed conviction and sentence of 25 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine. He had imported 196kg of cocaine. He said that his defence team had failed to put before the court evidence corroborating his own case which evidence was . .
The defendant appealed his conviction for murder. Unknown to himself and his advisors he suffered schizophrenia at the time of the offence.
Held: The court upheld the paramount and fundamental importance of the principles in favour of one . .
Each defendant had been convicted of firearms offences which were subject to a five year minimum sentence. That minimum had been imposed, but they appealed. Held: In exceptional circumstances, the court should impose a lesser sentence. The provision of a minimum sentence was capable of being arbitrary, particuarly since the section was absolute. The statute … Continue reading Regina v Rehman; Regina v Wood: CACD 18 Jul 2005
Land had been given to a football club under a trust for its exclusive use as such. That land was sold and a new ground acquired and a stadium built, but the land was subject to restrictive covenenats limiting its use to sports, which considerably reduced its value. The trustees sought clarification of their duties. … Continue reading Hunt and Another v McLaren and others: ChD 4 Oct 2006
The defendant appealed against refusal of bail. He had failed to attend court in time of the day of his trial and said he had overlooked the date. Held: Collins J said: ‘[T]he question of whether bail should be continued or removed in connection with the main proceedings is a matter which does not depend … Continue reading Wiggins, Regina (on the Application Of) v Harrow Crown Court: Admn 20 Apr 2005
The claimant had sought to bring proceedings against the respondent, but as a mental patient subject to the 1983 Act, had been obliged by the section first to obtain consent. The parties disputed whether the failure was a procedural or substantial failing and whether it made the proceedings a nullity. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. … Continue reading Seal v Chief Constable of South Wales Police: HL 4 Jul 2007
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
(Trinidad and Tobago) Two defendants appealed against their convictions for murder. The principal witness who had identified them, had retracted his evidence, but the retraction had not been believed. He was then shown to have lied. Held: The Board had to remember that the court of appeal had already considered these circumstances, and was much … Continue reading Kelvin Dial (otherwise called Peter), Andrew Dottin (otherwise called Maxwell) v The State: PC 14 Feb 2005
The plaintiffs were Indian Chiefs from Canada. They complained that the 1982 Act which granted independence to Canada, had been passed without their consent, which they said was required. They feared the loss of rights embedded by historical treaties. The Attorney General sought the strike out of the claims. Held: The application for a strike … Continue reading Manuel and Others v Attorney-General; Noltcho and Others v Attorney-General: ChD 7 May 1982
The appellant had been convicted in 1997 of robbery and false imprisonment. His case was now refererred by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The defendant had, on advice from his solicitor refused to answer questions at the police station. The Court of Human Rights had found that the inference drawn from that silence at trial … Continue reading Beckles, Regina v: CACD 12 Nov 2004
The defendant had been accused of conspiracy to produce pirate copies of films obtained by purchasing copies from cinema owners without the knowledge or consent of the copyright owners. Held: To establish a conspiracy to defraud, it was not necessary to prove a deceit by the defendant of the person who would end up being … Continue reading Scott v Metropolitan Police Commissioner; Regina v Scott: HL 20 Nov 1974
The defendant sought to appeal his conviction in 1970 for robbery. He had refused to attend an identity parade but was then confronted with the main witness. Witnesses had also been shown photographs from which they were said to have selected the appellant. There had been several earlier appeals. The appellant now said that the … Continue reading Regina v Stock: CACD 8 Aug 2008
The employer was prosecuted under the 1961 Act. Held: the burden of proving that it was not reasonably practicable to make and keep a place of work safe rested upon the defendant employer. If an exception was to be established, it was for the party claiming the exception to establish it. (Majority) Where a linguistic … Continue reading Nimmo v Alexander Cowan and Sons Ltd: HL 1967
The defendant had been charged with attempting to obtain property by deception by fabricating his death by drowning in the sea off Miami in Florida. The final act alleged to constitute the offence occurred outside the jurisdiction of the English courts. Held: The charge was justiciable in England. The defendant appealed conviction on counts of … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Stonehouse: HL 1977
Parliament’s Approval if statute rights affected In a referendum, the people had voted to leave the European Union. That would require a notice to the Union under Article 50 TEU. The Secretary of State appealed against an order requiring Parliamentary approval before issuing the notice, he saying that the notice could be given under the … Continue reading Miller and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union: SC 24 Jan 2017
In 1989 the defendant was convicted of assorted serious drugs crimes. His case came before the court once more but on the basis that the evidence against him had been fabricated by police officers who had subsequently been discredited. Held: The evidence was not sufficiently contemporaneous to put doubt on the officers’ evidence and the … Continue reading Deans, Regina v: CACD 30 Jul 2004
Appeal from allegedly lenient sentence Citations: [2018] EWCA Crim 2377 Links: Bailii Statutes: Firearms Act 1968 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 05 June 2022; Ref: scu.628202
The function of the Director’s office is statutory, and his powers are those laid down. He is not able to excuse possible criminal conduct in advance, and nor could he establish a policy of not applying certain statutory provisions. The Suicide Act could not be re-interpreted in the light of the Human Rights Act to … Continue reading Regina (Pretty) v Director of Public Prosecutions, and Another, Medical Ethics Alliance and Others, interveners: Admn 18 Oct 2001
The claimant had sought damages against his employer, saying that they had failed in their duty to him under the 1997 Act in failing to prevent harassment by a manager. He appealed a strike out of his claim. Held: The appeal succeeded. The issue is whether an employer may be vicariously liable under section 3 … Continue reading Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust: CA 16 Mar 2005
The applicant sought judicial review of an ordinance made by the commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory. An issue was raised whether the High Court in London had jurisdiction to entertain the proceedings and grant relief. Held: The court had jurisdiction. An Order in Council banishing British citizens from their home island was unlawful. … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Another, ex parte Bancoult: Admn 3 Nov 2000
Appeal as unduly lenient from sentence of five months imprisonment of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Citations: [2017] EWCA Crim 2305 Links: Bailii Statutes: Firearms Act 1968 16A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 28 May 2022; Ref: scu.625550
The court heard four appeals considering s 11(3) of the 1968 Act ‘which requires this court, on an appeal against sentence, to exercise its powers such that ‘taking the case as a whole, the appellant is not more severely dealt with on appeal than he was dealt with by the court below’. Articulating the issue … Continue reading Thompson v Regina: CACD 27 Mar 2018
The court was asked whether a defendant can be convicted of driving while disqualified notwithstanding that, subsequent to the act of driving in question, he has successfully appealed against the conviction for which he had earlier been disqualified? The magistrates refused to state a case, saying that the request was frivolous. Held: As to the … Continue reading Regina v Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrates ex parte Levy: Admn 16 Jun 1997
The trial judge had directed the jury, determining fitness to plead, with an extended formulation of the test, including the appellant’s ability to give evidence, if he wished, in his own defence. This facility had been described to mean that ‘the defendant must be able (a) to understand the questions he is asked in the … Continue reading John M, Regina v: CACD 14 Nov 2003
The court reviewed a number of authorities which deal with the correct approach by the court when asked to receive evidence pursuant to section 23. Citations: [2003] EWCA Crim 2385 Statutes: Criminal Appeals Act 1968 23(1) Cited by: Cited – Hendy, Regina v CACD 12-Apr-2006 The applicant was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1992 for … Continue reading Regina v Gilbert: CACD 2003
(Hong Kong) Application was made for the defendant’s extradition from Hong Kong to the USA. The question was whether a conspiracy entered into outside Hong Kong with the intention of committing the criminal offence of trafficking in drugs in Hong Kong was justiciable in Hong Kong although no overt act in pursuance of that conspiracy … Continue reading Somchai Liangsiriprasert v Government of the United States of America: PC 1991
Administrative Discretion to be Used Reasonably The applicant challenged the manner of decision making as to the conditions which had been attached to its licence to open the cinema on Sundays. It had not been allowed to admit children under 15 years of age. The statute provided no appeal procedure, and the applicant sought a … Continue reading Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947
After retirement, the jury requested, and was inadvertently supplied with a copy of a statement made by a witness to the police. The statement had been used by defence counsel for the purposes of cross-examination, but the document itself had not been exhibited. Held: The court questioned the absolute nature of the observation that a … Continue reading Regina v Davis (George): CACD 1976
Challenge by a surety to an estreatment of his recognizance was not a matter relating to a trial on indictment for the purpose of section 29(3) because it did not affect the conduct of the trial. A sensible legislative purpose can be seen for excluding appeal or judicial review of any decision affecting the conduct … Continue reading In re Smalley: HL 1985
(Supreme Court of Mauritius) The appellant had dispensed with the services of her counsel four days before the date of trial and had not taken steps to engage another. The trial judge refused to grant her a postponement, on the ground that she could readily have made efforts to obtain another counsel in the time. … Continue reading Mohammadally v The State: 2000
Where counsel’s conduct is called in question, the general principle requires the court to focus on the impact of the faulty conduct on the trial and result. Citations: [1993] 1 WLR 1181 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Boodram v The State PC 10-Apr-2001 (Trinidad and Tobago) On a retrial, the defendant’s counsel … Continue reading Regina v Clinton: CACD 1993
(High Court of Australia) If applications to stop criminal proceedings for abuse were commonly granted, they would be seen with suspicion. Judges: Brennan J Citations: (1989) 168 CLR 23 Links: Austlii Jurisdiction: Australia Cited by: Cited – Director of Public Prosecutions and others v Tokai and others PC 12-Jun-1996 (Trinidad and Tobago) The appellant had … Continue reading Jago v District Court of New South Wales: 12 Oct 1989
Constitutional Status of Chanel Islands considered The Court was asked as to the role, if any, of the courts of England and Wales (including the Supreme Court) in the legislative process of one of the Channel Islands. It raised fundamental questions about the constitutional relationship between the United Kingdom and the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and … Continue reading Barclay and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice and Others: SC 22 Oct 2014
Identification of Company’s Directing Mind In a prosecution under the 1968 Act, the court discussed how to identify the directing mind and will of a company, and whether employees remained liable when proper instructions had been given to those in charge of a local store. Held: ‘In the expression ‘act or default’ in section 23 … Continue reading Tesco Supermarkets Ltd v Nattrass: HL 31 Mar 1971
The court considered the practice applicable when seeking to adduce new expert evidence on an appeal against sentence. Lord Bingham CJ said: ‘Expert witnesses, although inevitably varying in standing and experience, are interchangeable in a way in which factual witnesses are not. It would clearly subvert the trial process if a defendant, convicted at trial, … Continue reading Regina v Jones (S): 1997
The court considered its power on allowing an appeal after a plea of guilty to substitute a conviction for an appropriate lesser offence. Held: Hughes LJ said that section 3A of the 1968 Act imposed a two stage test. The court considering substitution had to ask: (1) could the jury have convicted on the trial … Continue reading Ramzan and Others, Regina v: CACD 21 Jul 2006
Limits to Police Exemption from Liability The claimant, an elderly lady was bowled over and injured when police were chasing a suspect through the streets. As they arrested him they fell over on top of her. She appealed against refusal of her claim in negligence. Held: Her appeal succeeded. It is normally only in a … Continue reading Robinson v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police: SC 8 Feb 2018
Humphrys was charged with driving while disqualified. The issue was the correctness of the identification by a police constable. In evidence, Humphrys denied that he was the driver, or indeed that he had driven any car during the year in question. He was acquitted. Later he was charged with perjury said to arise from his … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Humphrys: HL 1977
No collateral attack on Jury findigs. An attempt was made to open up in a civil action, allegations of assaults by the police prior to the making of confessions which had been disposed of in a voir dire in the course of a criminal trial. The plaintiffs had imprisoned having spent many years after conviction … Continue reading Hunter v Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police: HL 19 Nov 1981
The deceased had spent relatively equal periods in two or more countries. The parties disputed his domicile. Held: A blind adherence to foreign law can not be always expected of an English Court. The legal relationship between a person and the legal system of the territory which invokes his personal law is based on a … Continue reading In the Estate of Fuld, decd (No 3): ChD 1967
The claimant sought damages from the first defendant for breach of copyright. An ex parte search order had been executed, with the defendant asserting his privilege against self-incrimination. As computer disks were examined, potentially unlawful images of children were found. The searching officer asked the court for directions as to what to do. Held: The … Continue reading C Plc and W v P and Secretary of State for the Home Office and the Attorney General: ChD 26 May 2006
Partners Liable for Dishonest Act of Solicitor A solicitor had been alleged to have acted dishonestly, having assisted in a fraudulent breach of trust by drafting certain documents. Contributions to the damages were sought from his partners. Held: The acts complained of were so close to the activities which a solicitor would normally undertake, that … Continue reading Dubai Aluminium Company Limited v Salaam and Others: HL 5 Dec 2002
Judgment in two cases, an appeal against conviction (R v. Marcantonio) and an application for permission to appeal against conviction (R v. Chitolie), which have in common the submission that the appellant/applicant in each case was unfit to plead, within section 4, Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964, at the time of his trial, and that … Continue reading Marcantonio v Regina: CACD 24 Feb 2016
Need for Certainty in Scope of Offence The appellant suffered a severe chronic illness and anticipated that she might want to go to Switzerland to commit suicide. She would need her husband to accompany her, and sought an order requiring the respondent to provide clear guidelines on the circumstances under which someone might be prosecuted … Continue reading Purdy, Regina (on the Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 30 Jul 2009
The Court was asked: ‘As: (i) a public body with obligations in public law and (ii) a public authority under the Human Rights Act 1998 can the Secretary of State for Health ‘the S/S’ lawfully refuse to refer a patient’s case to the First-tier Mental Health Review Tribunal ‘MHRT’ under section 67(1) of the Mental … Continue reading Modaresi, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: SC 24 Jul 2013
The company appealed against the sentence imposed on a finding that it was in breach of the 2010 Regulations. It sought to bring new evidence. Held: In sentencing appeals the court will scrutinise intensely any application to give a factual explanation that was not before the sentencing court. The terms of the Criminal Practice Direction … Continue reading Thames Water Utilities Ltd, Regina v: CACD 3 Jun 2015
In the course of a theft, the defendant had held his fingers in his pocket so as to suggest that he had a gun. He appealed conviction for possessing an imitation firearm. Held: ‘Rules of statutory construction have a valuable role when the meaning of a statutory provision is doubtful, but none where, as here, … Continue reading Bentham, Regina v: HL 10 Mar 2005
These applications raise yet again the question of when it is appropriate to make a loss of time order. Held: ‘the only means the court has of discouraging unmeritorious applications which waste precious time and resources is by using the powers given to us by Parliament in the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 and the Prosecution … Continue reading Gray and Others, Regina v: CACD 7 Oct 2014
Public Identification of Pedophiles by Police AB and CB had been released from prison after serving sentences for sexual assaults on children. They were thought still to be dangerous. They moved about the country to escape identification, and came to be staying on a campsite. The police sought to co-operate in the resettlement of the … Continue reading Regina v Chief Constable of North Wales Police and Others Ex Parte Thorpe and Another; Regina v Chief Constable for North Wales Police Area and others ex parte AB and CB: CA 18 Mar 1998
The parties had arbitrated their dispute in London under a bilateral investment treaty between the US and Ecuador. The republic sought to appeal the arbitration. The applicant now appealed an order that the English High Court had jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The treaty was intended to encourage bilateral trading … Continue reading Occidental Exploration and Production Company vRepublic of Ecuador: CA 9 Sep 2005
The Court considered a renewed application for leave to appeal which the Registrar had considered to be without merit and was referred under section 20 of the 1968 Act. Held: The reference had been properly made. The application for extension of time waas frivolous and vexatious and contained serious non-disclosure. As to ath eallegation of … Continue reading Achogbuo, Regina v: CACD 19 Mar 2014
Extension of Inquiries into Jury Room Activities The defendants sought an enquiry as to events in the jury rooms on their trials. They said that the secrecy of a jury’s deliberations did not fit the human right to a fair trial. In one case, it was said that jurors believed that the defendant’s use of … Continue reading Regina v Connor and another; Regina v Mirza: HL 22 Jan 2004
Appeals were brought complaining as to the apparent reversal of the burden of proof in road traffic cases and in cases under the Terrorism Acts. Was a legal or an evidential burden placed on a defendant? Held: Lord Bingham of Cornhill said: ‘The overriding concern is that a trial should be fair, and the presumption … Continue reading Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions; Attorney General’s Reference No 4 of 2002: HL 14 Oct 2004
The defendants had published remarks on its website about the reliability of the claimant. When sued in defamation, they pleaded fair comment, but that was rejected by the Court of Appeal. Held: The defendants’ appeal succeeded, and the fair comment defence was re-instated. The phrase ‘honest comment’ should now be used to reflect the nature … Continue reading Spiller and Another v Joseph and Others: SC 1 Dec 2010
The court was asked to decide from whom DNA samples could lawfully be taken by the Police,and for how long they should be kept. The first respondent now said that a declaration of incompatibility of section 64(1A) could not be avoided. Held: (Majority: Lord Dyson, Lord Phillips, Lady Hale, Lord Judge and Lord Kerr. Dissenting: … Continue reading GC v The Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 18 May 2011
The prosecutor had lead and relied at trial on evidence obtained by compulsory questioning under the 1986 Act. Held: In doing so the prosecutor was acting to give effect to section 433. The decision in Lambert to disallow retrospective effect of Human Rights decisions in appeal cases may have been incorrect, but will be followed. … Continue reading Regina v Kansal (2): HL 29 Nov 2001
In Douglas, the claimants said that the defendants had interfered with their contract to provide exclusive photographs of their wedding to a competing magazine, by arranging for a third party to infiltrate and take and sell unauthorised photographs. In OBG, the defendants acted as receivers under an invalid charge, and were accused of unlawful interference … Continue reading Douglas and others v Hello! Ltd and others; similar: HL 2 May 2007
The defendant had had his conviction for murder set aside after a finding of gross prosecutorial misconduct by the police. The Court was now asked as to the propriety of the order for a retrial. The police involved in the case had misled the CPS, the defence and the Court as to benefits provided to … Continue reading Maxwell, Regina v: SC 20 Jul 2011
Police Officers had been acquitted of misconduct in public office. They had stood by in a police station custody suite as a prisoner lay on the floor and died. Held: The trial took place before R -v- G which had overruled Caldwell. The standard of recklessness to be show was that laid down in Cunningham. … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference (No 3 of 2003): CACD 7 Apr 2004
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
The claimant appealed against the denial of her claim that the defendant had infringed her right to respect for her private life. She was a model who had proclaimed publicly that she did not take drugs, but the defendant had published a story showing a picture of her leaving a drug addiction clinic, along with … Continue reading Campbell v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd (MGN) (No 1): HL 6 May 2004
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
Each claimant sought damages for a criminal assault for which the defendant was said to be responsible. Each claim was to be out of the six year limitation period. In the first claim, the proposed defendant had since won a substantial sum from the National Lottery. They complained that the Limitation Act gave the court … Continue reading A v Hoare; H v Suffolk County Council, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs intervening; X and Y v London Borough of Wandsworth: CA 12 Apr 2006
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 applicants, parents of more than 800 Francophone children, living in certain (mostly Dutch-speaking) parts of Belgium, complained that their children were denied access to an education in French. Held: In establishing a system or regime to comply with a Convention obligation, a State may include within the system elements that are not strictly required … Continue reading Relating to certain aspects of the laws on the use of languages in education in Belgium (Belgian Linguistics) No 2: ECHR 9 Feb 1967
The defendants faced trial on charges of false accounting in connection in different ways with their expenses claims whilst serving as members of the House of Commons. They appealed against rejection of their assertion that the court had no jurisdiction to try them because of parliamentary privilege. Held: The appeals were dismissed. Neither Article 9 … Continue reading Chaytor and Others, Regina v: SC 1 Dec 2010
