Application by the prosecution under section 8 of the 1968 Act for leave to re-arraign D out of time. Citations: [2011] EWCA Crim 134 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 8 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 01 September 2022; Ref: scu.428637
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
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
The defendant had been convicted of various offences of violence but then was then to be held in a secure mental hospital. A place was not available, and an order only became available some nine months later, at which time, he argued that the order was no longer appropriate. In the meantime the defendant had … Continue reading Plinio Galfetti v Regina: CACD 31 Jul 2002
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
Once a case had been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the court had to make a declaration, even if the case was very old. The effect of the 1998 Act on statute law was not retrospective, but where it affected common law the effect could be retrospective, since … Continue reading Regina v Kansal, on a Reference From the Criminal Cases Review Commission (2): CACD 24 May 2001
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
British Steel employed two sub-contractors to work in moving a steel tower under their supervision. One platform fell on one of the sub-contractors, killing him. British Steel claimed they had delegated their responsibilities under the Act, and were not criminally liable. Held: A corporate employer cannot evade the strict liability imposed by the legislation by … Continue reading Regina v British Steel Plc: CACD 31 Dec 1994
Uninsured Driver Not Guilty of Causing Death The appellant though an uninsured driver, was driving without fault when another vehicle veered across the road. The other driver died from his injuries, and the appellant convicted of causing his death whilst uninsured. At trial he succeeded in arguing that he had not caused the death, but … Continue reading Hughes, Regina v: SC 31 Jul 2013
The plaintiffs were actors playing Harold and Madge Bishop in the Australian soap series ‘Neighbours’. They sued on a tabloid newspaper article which showed their faces superimposed on the near-naked bodies of models apparently engaged in sexual intercourse, with a headline ‘Strewth! What’s Harold up to with our Madge?’. The body of the article made … Continue reading Charleston and Another v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Another: HL 31 Mar 1995
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
Crown Privilege for Documents held by the Polie The plaintiff probationary police constable had been investigated, prosecuted and cleared of an allegation of theft. He now claimed damages for malicious prosecution, and in the course of the action, sought disclosure of five documents, but these were withheld on the ground of Crown privilege. The House … Continue reading Conway v Rimmer: HL 28 Feb 1968
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
References: [1968] RVR 490, [1968] EWCA Civ 5, [1968] 3 All ER 304, [1968] 3 WLR 694, (1968) 19 P & CR 856, [1969] 1 QB 577 Links: Bailii Coram: Lord Denning MR, Danckwerts LJ, Edmund Davies LJ Tenants of apartments asked the Rent Officer to fix the fair rents. On appeal, the rents were … Continue reading Metropolitan Properties Company (FGC) Limited v Lannon; 11 Jul 1968
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The applicant had sought and been refused legal aid to support legal representation at a full oral hearing on her renewed application for leave to appeal against her conviction. She argued that the refusal of legal aid denied her human rights. Held: The legal aid system assisted her at trial, on advice with regard to … Continue reading Regina v Oates: CACD 25 Apr 2002
The House was asked whether a jury in criminal trials containing variously a Crown Prosecution Service solicitor, or a police officer would have the appearance of bias. In Abdroikof, the presence of the police officer on the jury was discovered only late, but there was no conflict over police evidence. In Green the victim was … Continue reading Regina v Abdroikof, Regina v Green; Regina v Williamson: HL 17 Oct 2007
The case was a reference from the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The defendants had been convicted in 1990 of murder. The House of Lords had dismissed an earlier appeal. Police officers had allowed statements to be put forward which were false in critical aspects, and had threatened witnesses to avoid their attendance at court. Held: … Continue reading Poole and Mills v Regina: CACD 17 Jun 2003
The defendant appealed refusal of the district judge to state a case on the basis of having no jurisdiction. Held: Where the magistrate is acting not as an Examining Magistrate, but is deciding a preliminary issue as to jurisdiction, his ruling upon that is final and can properly be challenged by way of case stated … Continue reading Donnachie, Regina (on the Application of) v Cardiff Magistrates’ Court: Admn 27 Jul 2007
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 defendant sought to defend the claim for defamation by claiming fair comment. The claimant said that the relevant facts were not known to the defendant at the time of the publication. Held: To claim facts in aid of a defence of fair comment, it would make no sense if those facts were not known … Continue reading Lowe v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 28 Feb 2006
The defendant had appealed his conviction for murder to the Court of Appeal. The 1968 Act required the court to consider whether the conviction was unsafe. New evidence was before the Court of Appeal, but they had rejected the appeal. Held: The Court of Appeal should reach its own view based on the unadorned words … Continue reading Regina v Pendleton: HL 13 Dec 2001
The claimant had sued the defendant for non-payment under a cheque for andpound;2 million. The cheque had been issued to replace earlier cheques given but not met, for sums staked for gambling at the claimant’s casino. The defendant said that the contract breached the prohibition of credit for gambling. Held: The defendant appealed against summary … Continue reading Aspinall’s Club Ltd v Al-Zayat: CA 19 Oct 2007
Application for leave to appeal against conviction in which the main issue concerns the powers of the Crown Court upon a retrial. Judges: Jackson LJ, Irwin J, Rook QC HHJ Citations: [2012] EWCA Crim 720, [2012] 1 WLR 3133, [2012] 2 Cr App R 13, [2012] WLR(D) 83 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act … Continue reading PF, Regina v: CACD 15 Mar 2012
The court had allowed an appeal against sentence; but later the same day the defendant was brought back because the court thought that he had not been frank in answering questions about another offence. Held: The court set aside its original judgment and directed a rehearing, at which it was held that there was indeed … Continue reading Regina v Cross (Patrick): CACD 1973
Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 3239, [2007] 1 Cr App R 31 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 29 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.248242
The crown sought to adduce additional evidence on the defendant’s appeal of the content of discussions between the defendant and a social worker from the council youth offending service. Held: The evidence should not be admitted. Such conversations were not akin to statements made during the preparation of a pre-sentence report, and were privileged. The … Continue reading H and Others v Regina: CACD 21 Dec 2018
The court discussed when it was appropriate for the Court of Appeal to substitute other lesser convictions, after the main conviction had been declared unsafe. Held: After studying the authorities at length, the court felt that the various convictions should be quashed, but that in some cases there was a possibility of substituting verdicts of … Continue reading Regina v Graham, Kansal, etc: CACD 25 Oct 1996
The Court heard an interim application to decide whether an appeal to the Supreme Court existed under the 2002 Act. A restraint order had been made as to the appellants assets. Held: The statutory provisions substituting the Supreme Court for the House of Lords had omitted to deal with the 2005 Order appeal provisions. Leave … Continue reading Stanford International Bank Ltd v Director of The Serious Fraud Office: SC 15 Feb 2012
The Attorney-General appealed against a sentence of six years imposed for several prohibited firearms possession offences. The defendant was looking after items which he understood to be illegal, but whose exact nature he did not know. He had been sentenced as a ‘minder’, not an armourer. Held: The sentence was unduly lenient, and was increased … Continue reading Ralphs, Regina v: CACD 3 Dec 2009
The defendant appealed against his conviction. He had not been represented at trial, and several objections were taken to the conduct of the case, and in particular that prosecuting counsel had made a closing address, and that he had not been allowed to transfer his legal aid order to a different firm of solicitors. Held: … Continue reading Rabani, Regina v: CACD 21 Aug 2008
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 own maritime insurance business, obtaining instructions from a number of clients to place … Continue reading Regina v Manning: CACD 23 Jul 1998
The defendant, then 22 had a history of disturbed childhood, sexual abuse and outpatient mental health treatment together with one instance when he was sectioned following a suicide attempt. On the undisputed psychiatric evidence he suffered from a schizotypal disorder as well as an emotionally unstable personality disorder. He was obsessed with witchcraft and Satanist … Continue reading Brennan v Regina: CACD 21 Nov 2014
In a prosecution for an offence of indecent assault on a girl under 16 under the section, it was necessary for the prosecution to prove the absence of a positive belief in the defendant’s mind that the victim was 16 or over. The legislation history showed an anomalous bringing together of different, and conflicting strands … Continue reading Regina v K: HL 25 Jul 2001
The defendants were senior executives of BA. They made interlocutory appeals while undergoing trials for alleged price fixing under section 188 of the 2002 Act. The judge had ruled that the prosecutor need prove dishonesty only as against the defendants, and need not do so as against other parties to the transactions (similar officers of … Continue reading Regina v George and Others: CACD 28 May 2010
The appellant, an Iraqi national had arrived in 2000 as a child, and stayed unlawfully after failure of his asylum claim. He was convicted twice of drugs offences. On release he was considered a low risk of re-offending. He had been in a serious relationship with an English woman since 2005. However the Home Secretary … Continue reading Hesham Ali (Iraq) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 16 Nov 2016
The defendants were to be tried for allegedly sending funds abroad to support terrorism. The court now considered the meaning of the phrase ‘reasonable cause to suspect’ in the context of the anticipated use of the funds: ‘Does it mean that the accused must actually suspect, and for reasonable cause, that the money may be … Continue reading Lane and Another, Regina v: SC 11 Jul 2018
The defendant appealed aganst his conviction for conspiracy to engage in moneylaundering. At trial he pleaded guilty subject to a qualification that he had not known that the money was the proceeds of crime, though he may have suspected that it would be. Held: (Baroness Hale of Richmond dissenting) The appeal succeeded: ‘the Crown’s principal … Continue reading Saik, Regina v: HL 3 May 2006
The claimant sought to restrain publication by the defendant of a book recounting very personal events in her life. She claimed privacy and a right of confidence. The defendant argued that there was a public interest in the disclosures. Held: Documents showed a readiness in the defendant to seek to manipulate the claimant through threats … Continue reading McKennitt and others v Ash and Another: QBD 21 Dec 2005
Representative claims were made against the respondents, hospitals, pathologists etc with regard to the removal of organs from deceased children without the informed consent of the parents. They claimed under the tort of wrongful interference. Held: Organ removal when a post mortem had been ordered by the coroner was not tortious. In English law there … Continue reading AB and others v Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust: QBD 26 Mar 2004
Harassment to Criminal Level needed to Convict The claimant had been a customer of the defendant, but had moved to another supplier. She was then subjected to a constant stream of threatening letters which she could not stop despite re-assurances and complaints. The defendant now appealed against a refusal to strike out the claim of … Continue reading Ferguson v British Gas Trading Ltd: CA 10 Feb 2009
The House considered what was the appropriate test for allowing a conviction to stand despite the finding of an irregularity in the trial. Held: The House must be satisfied that there was ‘a situation a reasonable jury, after being properly directed, would, on the evidence properly admissible, without doubt convict.’ Assuming the wrong direction on … Continue reading Stirland v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 1944
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 claimant, now aged four and the son of a famous author, was photographed by use of a long lens, but in a public street. He now sought removal of the photograph from the defendant’s catalogue, and damages for breach of confidence. Held: The claim was struck out. In effect this was an application for … Continue reading Murray v Express Newspapers Plc and Another: ChD 7 Aug 2007
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
The insurer appealed findings of liability under the 1930 Act. Claims had been made for damages for child abuse in a residential home, whom they insured. The home had become insolvent, and the claimants had pursued the insurer. Held: The appeal was allowed in part. Liability had been found not directly on vicarious liability for … Continue reading KR and others v Royal and Sun Alliance Plc: CA 3 Nov 2006
The defendant youth appealed his conviction and sentence for rape by oral penetration of a six or seven year old boy. He complained that the evidence contained such inconsistences that the case should not have proceeded. Complaint was also made that the court setting had been inappropriate for a thirteen year old witness. Held: The … Continue reading H, Regina v: CACD 25 Apr 2006
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 local authority in whose care the deceased child had been held challenged a decision by the coroner not to limit his inquiry to the last few days of the child’s life. The coroner had decided that he had an obligation to conduct a wider enquiry under the 1968 Act. Held: ‘The central question in … Continue reading Plymouth City Council v HM Coroner for the County of Devon and Another: Admn 27 May 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
The defendant was convicted of infanticide and murder. The experts differed as to the cause of death. She appealed her conviction saying that the experts in effect cancelled each other out. Held: Her appeal failed. The jury was entitled to listen to both reports and to choose which it accepted. ‘It was therefore for the … Continue reading Kai-Whitewind, Regina v: CACD 3 May 2005
(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
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
The appellant had been convicted of false accounting in the making of false claims for payment for prescriptions, submitting forms which said that the patient was over 60 when she knew they were not. She said she filled the forms in mechanically. Held: The judge was correct. Counsel was wrong to concentrate on the mens … Continue reading Atkinson v Regina: CACD 7 Nov 2003
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 defendants purported to serve a notice under Rule 24A(1) of the Crown Court Rules 1982 of an intention to apply for a hearing in camera of their application that the trial be stopped as an abuse of process. Held: ‘This is not a formal judgment. The Court is of the opinion, for reasons which … Continue reading Regina v Guardian Newspapers Ltd: CACD 15 Sep 1998
The claimants, a solicitor and his wife, sought damages in harassment and data protection, against a party to proceedings in which he was acting professionally, and against the investigative firm instructed by them. The defendants now requested the claims to be struck out. Held: The claim of harassment could not be struck out merely because … Continue reading Gerrard and Another v Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Ltd and Another: QBD 27 Nov 2020
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
K had been convicted of two counts of obtaining property by deception contrary to section 15 of the Theft Act 1968. He was also convicted of two counts under the Insolvency Act 1986, namely that being a bankrupt (a) he removed property which he was required to deliver up to the Official Receiver or his … Continue reading Regina v Kansal: CACD 24 Jun 1992
The Court of Appeal had ordered the defendant to be re-tried within two months. An initial application for directions was adjourned without the defendant being re-arraigned, and then was adjourned again to a date outside the two month limit. Defence solicitors, knowing the difficulty declined to express a view either way. Held: The arraignment could … Continue reading Regina v Jones (Paull Garfield): CACD 8 Oct 2002
(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
The prosecutor appealed a finding of no case to answer on an accusation of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The victim, a police officer, was searching the pockets of an arrested person, when she was injured by a hypodermic needle. She had asked him if he had any sharps on him and he had denied … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Santa-Bermudez: Admn 13 Nov 2003
Four appellants conspired to defraud banks and others. The prosecution alleged a sophisticated and well organised conspiracy involving the appellants and others. Mail was redirected to addresses to which the conspirators had access. Credit cards so received would be used until the credit card limit had been reached. Fingerprint and handwriting evidence revealed the links … Continue reading Regina v McKechnie: CACD 2002
The Court was asked whether the Crown Court could properly refuse to state a case for the opinion of the divisional court, having convicted a defendant, on her appeal from the magistrates’ court, of an offence of common assault. She was evicted from a pblic meeting before it began, and was accused of having kicked … Continue reading Skelton, Regina (on The Application of) v Winchester Crown Court: Admn 5 Dec 2017
The claimant was with Stephen Lawrence when they were both attacked and Mr Lawrence killed. He claimed damages for the negligent way the police had dealt with his case, and particularly said that they had failed to assess him as a victim of crime, had failed to provide him with reasonable assistance and support, and … Continue reading Brooks v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and others: HL 21 Apr 2005
The Serious Fraud Office appealed against rulings on the admission of evidence after its exclusion under section 78. Held: The appeal was allowed. The appeal had been brought within time and could proceed. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The judge confused or elided two quite separate concepts, namely (a) the ‘identification’ principle which is … Continue reading A Ltd and Othersi, Regina v: CACD 28 Jul 2016
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 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 was asked as to the powers of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division to re-open an appeal to correct an error which is said to have caused real injustice in that the error led to the quashing of a sentence lawfully imposed in the Crown Court. The court had quashed a conviction based … Continue reading Yasain, Regina v: CACD 16 Jul 2015
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
Article 50 Notice Requires Parliament’s Authority The applicant challenged a decision by the respondent that he could use Crown prerogative powers to issue a notice under section 50 TUE to initiate the United Kingdom leaving the EU following the referendum under the 2015 Act. Held: Once the notice had been given, it was irrevocable. Consultation … Continue reading Miller and Dos Santos v The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Others: QBD 13 Nov 2016
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
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 claimant had been sentenced to a short period of imprisonment but with an indeterminate term until he demonstrated that it was no longer necessary for the protection of the public. He complained that the term having expired, no opportunity had been given to him to show that he could be released. Held: ‘The legality … Continue reading Secretary of State for Justice v Walker; Same v James: CA 1 Feb 2008
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
Ward has no extra privilege from Police Interview The court considered the need to apply to court in respect of the care of a ward of the court when the Security services needed to investigate possible terrorist involvement of her and of her contacts. Application was made for a declaration as to the need for … Continue reading Re A Ward of Court: FD 4 May 2017
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 land-owner had planning permission to erect a barn, conditional on its use for agricultural purposes. He built inside it a house and lived there from 2002. In 2006. He then applied for a certificate of lawful use. The inspector allowed it, and the Council appealed. The Council now also argued that parliament could not … Continue reading Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Another v Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council: SC 6 Apr 2011
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
The appellants challenged their convictions for theft, saying that as partners in a firm they could not be convicted of theft of partnership property. Held: The appeals were allowed for the unsatisfactory and unsafe nature of the convictions on the particular evidence. However, the 1861 Act having not been repealed, and that: ‘the object of … Continue reading Regina v Bonner and Others: CACD 24 Feb 1970
The House was asked whether an action for unlawful means conspiracy was available against a participant in a missing trader intra-community, or carousel, fraud. The company appealed a finding of liability saying that the VAT Act and Regulations contained the entire regime. Held: Criminal conduct at common law or by statute can constitute unlawful means … Continue reading Total Network Sl v Revenue and Customs: HL 12 Mar 2008
The House was asked as to when the acts of an individual became those of his employer under section 502 (‘any loss or damage happening without (the ship owner’s) actual fault or privity’). Held: Viscount Haldane LC said: ‘It must be upon the true construction of that section in such a case as the present … Continue reading Lennard’s Carrying Company Limited v Asiatic Petroleum Company Limited: HL 1915
The House was asked whether the Magistrates had properly dismissed a charge of membership of an unlawful organisation, namely a Republican club. The Magistrates had found that an unlawful club would only be such if it supported the absorption of Northern Ireland into the Irish Republic. The Regulations were challanged as ultra vires to the … Continue reading McEldowney v Forde: HL 18 Jun 1969
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
The defendant took a cocktail of drink and drugs and, whilst intoxicated, assaulted pub landlord. He said that he did not know what he was doing, and had no mens rea, that self-induced intoxication could be a defence to a charge of assault, and that the judge had misdirected the jury on the issue. Held: … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Majewski: HL 1976
The court was asked as to the extent to which the ancient rule against champerty prevents a solicitor agreeing to indemnify his claimant client against any liability for costs which she may incur against the defendant in the litigation in which the solicitors are to act for her. Held: The defendant’s appeal failed. The Conditional … Continue reading Sibthorpe and Morris v London Borough of Southwark: CA 25 Jan 2011
Restraint on Interference with Burden of Proof The defendant had been convicted for possessing drugs found on him in a bag when he was arrested. He denied knowing of them. He was convicted having failed to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that he had not known of the drugs. The case was heard before … Continue reading Regina v Lambert: HL 5 Jul 2001
The claimant sought judicial review of a decision of the respondent to take over and discontinue his private prosecutions arising from public order incidents, saying that the respondent’s policy was unlawful in restricting such prosecutions. Held: The request was refused. The policy was lawful. The respondent had now adopted exactly the policy criticised in Duckenfield … Continue reading Gujra, Regina (on The Application of) v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 9 Mar 2011
An application was made to discharge an anonymity order made in previous criminal proceedings before the House. The defendant was to be retried for rape under the 2003 Act, after an earlier acquittal. The applicant questioned whether such a order could properly be made, and said that in any event it should be discharged. Held: … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference No 3 of 1999: Application By the British Broadcasting Corporation To Set Aside or Vary a Reporting Restriction Order: HL 17 Jun 2009
The defendant had requested the Isle of Man authorities to investigate the part if any taken by the plaintiff in a major fraud. No charges were brought against the plaintiff, but the documents showing suspicion came to be disclosed in the later trial of others. The plaintiff sought damages in defamation. Held: The documents which … Continue reading Taylor and Others v Director of The Serious Fraud Office and Others: HL 29 Oct 1998
The appellants said that the 2004 Act infringed their rights under articles 8 11 and 14 and Art 1 of protocol 1. Held: Article 8 protected the right to private and family life. Its purpose was to protect individuals from unjustified intrusion by state agents into the private sphere within which they expected to be … Continue reading Countryside Alliance and others, Regina (on the Application of) v Attorney General and Another: HL 28 Nov 2007
Psychological Obstruction to Public Footpath A public footpath crossed the appellants’ land. They constructed a gateway across it which they now accepted had been a significant obstruction of the right of way. The local authority served a notice requiring its removal, including the stone pillars erected on the path. After a failure to comply the … Continue reading Herrick and Another v Kidner and Another: Admn 17 Feb 2010
The parties had cohabited for a long time, in a home bought by Ms Dowden. After the breakdown of the relationship, Mr Stack claimed an equal interest in the second family home, which they had bought in joint names. The House was asked whether, when a conveyance into joint names indicates only that each party … Continue reading Stack v Dowden: HL 25 Apr 2007
The claimant pursued a civil claim for damages, alleging complicity of the respondent in his torture whilst in the custody of foreign powers. The respondent sought that certain materials be available to the court alone and not to the claimant or the public under a closed material procedure. It argued that whilst the need for … Continue reading Al Rawi and Others v The Security Service and Others: SC 13 Jul 2011
Each claimant had been captured and mistreated by the US government, and claimed the involvement in and responsibility for that mistreatment by the respondents. The court was asked whether a court in England and Wales, in the absence of statutory authority, could order a closed material procedure for part or all of the trial of … Continue reading Al Rawi and Others v The Security Service and Others: CA 4 May 2010
