The defendants appealed their sentences after findings of guilt for blackmail, arising from their activities as wheel clampers. The judge said that blackmail is an ugly, serious offence. Both of the appellants knew full well what they were doing. He described how they dealt with motorists in an arrogant, bullying and abhorrent manner. Held: The … Continue reading Havell, Regina v: CACD 10 Mar 2006
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 convictions had been referred back to the Court of Appeal in relation to various grounds, but the s.34 direction was a further ground relied on by the appellants. The Court recognised that the direction was inadequate by reference to the standards in 2006. The direction did not contain the key direction suggested to be … Continue reading Steele, Whomes and Corry , Regina v: CACD 22 Feb 2006
The defendant appealed his conviction of possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children. The images had been deleted, and were irrecoverable, but they had originally been viewed through a program which created a smaller additional image for each original. Though the thumbnail images were no longer accessible without the original, they remained on the … Continue reading Porter, Regina v: CACD 16 Mar 2006
The hearing was a third appeal upon a reference by the Commission on the defendant’s conviction for murder. Held: Auld LJ said that the court’s jurisdiction and a duty on a reference, as in an ordinary appeal, is to consider the safety of the conviction. Section 9(2) of the 1995 Act provides that a conviction … Continue reading Thomas, Regina v: CACD 26 Apr 2002
The appellant challenged stays of proceedings by the respondent magistrates court for abuse of process infringing the defendants’ human right to a fair trial. The magistrates had fund that being faced with dismissal of a summary case through delay, the appellant had increased the charges adding allegations of dishonesty which had not been put to … Continue reading Department for Work and Pensions v Courts: Admn 3 May 2006
The court considered cases referred to it by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Each related to convictions for sexual assaults on children in care. New material including several untrue allegations by the complainants suggested that the convictions might be unsafe. Held: The evidence of other similar allegations and history of unreliability made the convictions safe. … Continue reading Siddall and Brooke, Regina v: CACD 15 Jun 2006
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 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 have supported the defence. The court quoted a previous judgment of Atkinson LJ: ‘It may well be that … Continue reading Regina v Melville: CACD 1976
The court set out the sentencing considerations for firearms offences in the light of an increase of the use of guns. Held: The level of sentencing had not sufficiently reflected the gravity of such offences. After the 1994 Act, earlier sentencing cases were not reliable as a guide. The applicable principles are: ‘(1) What sort … Continue reading Regina v Avis, T and others: CACD 16 Dec 1997
The defendant appealed against his conviction for murder. At trial he had pleaded provocation, but not that he suffered abnormality of mind. Subsequent evidence of his state of mind led to this referral. The court now received fresh evidence to support a defence of diminished responsibility where the issue had not been raised at trial. … Continue reading Regina v Campbell: CACD 25 Oct 1996
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
No ‘loss of time order’ is to be made against a prisoner, once he has been granted leave to appeal by single Judge. Citations: Ind Summary 06-Mar-1995, Times 25-Jan-1995 Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 29 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.87386
A confiscation order was quashed when the defendant died after lodging his appeal. The new evidence was untested. Citations: Times 16-May-1996, [1996] EWCA Crim 365 Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1968 17(1)(A) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.87037
Counsel is not to apply to cross examine a rape victim without having been given instructions requiring him to do so. Citations: Times 15-Apr-1996 Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.86899
Appeal from sentence of five years for possession of sawed off shotgun. Citations: [2009] EWCA Crim 456, [2009] 2 Cr App Rep (S) 92 Links: Bailii Statutes: Firearms Act 1968 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 29 August 2022; Ref: scu.384369
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 claimant had been imprisoned then released after his conviction for sexual assaults. He appealed against rejection of his claim for compensation. The criterion for compensation was demonstrating that something had ‘gone seriously wrong in the conduct of the trial.’ Held: The claim failed. ‘a true analysis of the law is in any event less … Continue reading Siddall, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: Admn 16 Mar 2009
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
Death of appellant need not stop appeal if the death is only problem in appeal. Citations: Times 08-Jan-1997 Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 44A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 23 July 2022; Ref: scu.88228
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
The claimant was stood at her door when she was taken by police officers, an armed gun pointed at her, laid on the ground and her hands bound. She was held for fifteen minutes. She was entirely innocent, but the officers were looking for armed suspects. She complained that the defendant had not dealt with … Continue reading Dennis, Regina (on the Application of) v Independent Police Complaints Commission: Admn 6 May 2008
Tenants of apartments asked the Rent Officer to fix the fair rents. On appeal, the rents were then set at a rate lower even than they had requested. The rents would serve as a guide for other local rents. The landlords now complained that the chairman of the Rent Assessment Committee had been assisting his … Continue reading Metropolitan Properties Company (FGC) Limited v Lannon: 11 Jul 1968
The Austrian District and Regional Real Property Transactions Commission refused to approve the sale of a number of plots of land. The applicant challenged the refusal alleging bias and contending that his article 6 rights were violated for that reason. The Austrian statute provided that the refusal of approval rendered the sale null and void. … Continue reading Ringeisen v Austria: ECHR 16 Jul 1971
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: If the evidence is in essence fresh information about the offender, a court will normally not … Continue reading Caines, Regina v, Regina v Roberts: CACD 23 Nov 2006
The defendant appealed his sentence for conspiracy to supply counterfeit drugs. Held: The defendant need only serve the sentence if he failed to pay a penalty which the court had decided he could afford to pay. Appeal dismissed. Judges: Scott Baker LJ, Holland J, Loraine-Smith J Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 2717 Links: Bailii Statutes: Medicines … Continue reading Valentine v Regina: CACD 10 Nov 2006
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
Four defendants appealed convictions in money laundering cases. The first defendant operated a money exchange through which substantial volumes of cash were moved, but claimed that he believed the money to have been honestly acquired. Held: Saik now meant that the requirement was for actual suspicion, not mere reasonable cause for suspicion. However in this … Continue reading Suchedina v Regina; similar: CACD 27 Oct 2006
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 obtainable. Held: ‘the fact that the jury ask a question does not necessarily mean … Continue reading Javid v Regina: CACD 28 Jul 2006
The prosecutor applied for an order to require the magistrates to state a case. He faced a charge of driving with excess alcohol. He pleaded not guilty. There were several adjournments, and a considerable delay. At the trial, and with no forewarning, the defence requested the prosecution to prove service of the certificate of analysis. … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions, Regina (on the Application of) v Chorley Justices and Forrest: Admn 8 Jun 2006
Judges: Keene LJ, Crane J, Sir John Blofield Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 1706 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 11 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 07 July 2022; Ref: scu.243342
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 trial but accepted that there may be cases, where, the evidence of mental illness and substantial impairment … Continue reading Regina v Neaven: CACD 15 May 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
The applicant was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1992 for a brutal murder. He had pleaded diminished responsibility. There were now no papers from the trial. Medical evidence now suggested that at the time of the trial he would have suffered a personality disorder and depression. Held: If this evidence were called at a trial … Continue reading Hendy, Regina v: CACD 12 Apr 2006
The applicant had left care, but still received assistance. She was arrested and the police asked the attending social worker to arrange secure accommodation overnight. The respondent refused. The court was asked what duty (if any) is owed by local authorities to provide ‘secure accommodation’ for arrested juveniles whom they are requested to receive under … Continue reading M, Regina (on the Application of) v Gateshead Council: CA 14 Mar 2006
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
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
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 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 was attacked by his victim, and he hit his victim in the face. He was charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm with an alternative of unlawful wounding also open to the jury. The judge gave no direction on the meaning of ‘maliciously’ and the jury convicted under section 20. … Continue reading Regina v Mowatt: CACD 20 Jun 1967
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
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 defendant sought judicial review of the decision not to refer her case back to the court of appeal. She had been convicted of the murder of her hsuband’s new partner. She said it had been her husband. Held: The court set out the approach to be taken when a defendant raises the defence of … Continue reading Regina v Criminal Cases Review Commission ex parte Pearson: Admn 18 May 1999
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
Lord Parker CJ defined ‘attempt’ in criminal law: ‘What amounts to an attempt has been described variously in the authorities, and for my part I prefer to adopt the definition given in Stephen’s Digest of the Criminal Law, 5th Ed. (1894) art. 50, where it says that: ‘An attempt to commit a crime is an … Continue reading Davey v Lee: 1968
Appellants were reminded of the courts powers to make a loss of time order in the case of inappropriate appeals against sentence. Citations: [1980] 1 WLR 270 Statutes: Criminal Appeal Act 1968 29 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Regina v Kuimba CACD 12-Apr-2005 In dismissing the defendant’s appeal, the court expressed the … Continue reading Practice Direction (Crime: Sentence: Loss of Time): 1980
Where some prejudice to the defendant or some matter which is prejudicial to the defendant has been admitted in evidence through inadvertence, the jury may be discharged, but need not always be according to the circumstances. Citations: [1968] 1 QB 353, (1967) 51 Cr App R Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Errol … Continue reading Regina v Weaver and Weaver: 1967
A contract regulating the flow of industrial effluents into a public sewer contained no power of termination notwithstanding that the agreement it replaced did. Held: There is no presumption in law that a joint venture is not terminable.Buckley J said: ‘Since ex hypothesi such an agreement contains no provision expressly dealing with determination by the … Continue reading In Re Spenborough Urban District Council’s agreement; Spenborough Corporation v Cooke Sons and Company Ltd: ChD 1968
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
The court considered use of its powers to punish umeritorious appeals by defendants against sentence or conviction by ordering that time spent in prison before the appeal was heard should not count as time served. In these case, two defendants had counsel’s support in their renewed applications for leave to appeal, but not the other … Continue reading Regina v Hart; Regina v George; Regina v Clarke; Regina v Brown: CACD 13 Dec 2006
The appellant died pending his appeal being heard and his widow wished to pursue a challenge to the order for payment of prosecution costs. Held: The powers of the court were derived from statute and did not permit such a course.Widgery LJ said: ‘We take it to be a general principle that whenever a party … Continue reading Regina v Jefferies: 1968
The appellant had been unrepresented throughout her trial. She appealed, complaining that the prosecutor had been allowed to make a closing speech. Held: The conviction was quashed. Lord Justice Edmund Davies drew attention to the impact which that speech might have had on the jury’s determination of the issues in relation to fact which arose, … Continue reading Regina v Mondon: CACD 1968
Judge Kilner Brown confirmed the existence of the crime of attempting to pervert the course of justice: ‘Certain actions such as cheating or behaving obscenely may not be offences in a private connotation, but once the public is involved, either by agreement with one of its number or more diversely, the law regards such conduct … Continue reading Regina v Grimes: CACD 1968
The accused claimed that his trial had been unfairly prejudiced by a television interview which took place before he had been charged with any offence, but when it was quite obvious that a charge was about to be brought against him. The publicity had been 11 months before the trial. Held: Leave to appeal was … Continue reading Regina v Savundranayagan and Walker: CACD 1968
The judge withdrew from the jury the central issue whether the appellant was habitually in the company of a prostitute. Citations: (1968) Cr App R 47 Statutes: Sexual Offences Act 1956 30(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – H, Regina v CACD 25-Apr-2006 The defendant youth appealed his conviction and sentence for rape … Continue reading Regina v Ptohopoulos: CACD 1968
The judge was bound to direct the jury that a defendant was fully entitled to sit back and see if the prosecution had proved its case, and that they must not make any assumption of guilt from the fact that he had not gone into the witness box. Diminished responsibility is not an issue to … Continue reading Regina v Bathurst: CACD 1968
The court stated that the exceptional circumstances required to justify imposition of a life sentence for an offence other than murder are present if three conditions. First, the offence or offences are in themselves serious enough to require a very long sentence. Secondly, it appears from the nature of the offences or from the offender’s … Continue reading Regina v Hodgson: CACD 1967
The antecedent criminal history of an offender is a factor which may be taken into account in determining the sentence to be imposed, but it cannot be given such weight as to lead to the imposition of a penalty which is disproportionate to the gravity of the instant offence. The offender must be regarded as … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Ottewell: HL 1968
The appellant, in England, sent false hire purchase agreements to a company in Jersey, who posted back cheques to him. The court analysed the transaction in contractual terms, and held that as the post office was the appellant’s agent to carry the cheques they had in law been ‘obtained’ by him in Jersey. Held: As … Continue reading Regina v Harden: 1962
The appellant said the different verdicts against him were inconsistent. Held: ‘The principle in every case is whether the inconsistency is such that it would not be safe to allow the verdict to stand. The fact that two verdicts are logically inconsistent does not however make the verdict complained of unsafe unless the only explanation … Continue reading Regina v Hunt: CACD 1968
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
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
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 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 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 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
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
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
Appeal against conviction (in 2003) after release of undisclosed material helpful to the defendant, including an eye witness decsription incompatible with the defendant. Held: The court considered the developing issues as to compatibility questions and devolution appeals. The case having already been cnsidered fully by the High Court o Justice inEdinburgh, the present courts jurusdiction … Continue reading Macklin v Her Majesty’s Advocate (Scotland): SC 16 Dec 2015
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
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
Answerability of Chief Constables The constitutional status of the Commissioner had never been defined, either by statute or by the courts. By common law police officers owe to the general public a duty to enforce the criminal law. The court considered the extent to which a court could interfere with decisions made by a Chief … Continue reading Regina v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, Ex parte Blackburn: CA 1968
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 defendant appealed against his conviction for attempting to handle stolen goods. They were to be delivered to him in a van, but the meat was intercepted and recovered by the police. The defendant argued that he should not be convicted of attempting the impossible, since the goods were no longer stolen, having returned to … Continue reading Haughton v Smith, On Appeal From Regina v Smith (Roger): HL 21 Nov 1973
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
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
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 claimant sought recovery of his substantial winnings from the defendant gaming club. The club had resisted saying that the methods used by the claimant at cards, called, ‘edge sorting’ was a form of cheating, a criminal offence within the section, and that therefore no claim arose. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed (Sharp LJ dissenting) … Continue reading Ivey v Genting Casinos UK Ltd (T/A Crockfords Club): CA 4 Nov 2016
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 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
Vice-Chancellor was asked to consider whether to strike out a statement of claim based upon alleged misfeasance by a police officer in his public office. The allegation against the police officer was that he had deliberately and falsely supplied details of convictions to the press. The point taken was that it was not concerned with … Continue reading Elliott v Chief Constable of Wiltshire and Others: ChD 20 Nov 1996
The appellants were said to have made false mortgage applications. They appealed convictions for dishonestly obtaining property by deception. Held: A chose in action created by an electronic bank transfer was not property which was capable of being ‘obtained’ by deception under the Theft Act. The transfer of funds was carried out by the debiting … Continue reading Regina v Preddy; Regina v Slade; Regina v Dhillon (Conjoined Appeals): HL 10 Jul 1996
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 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
The defendant had faced trial on terrorist charges. He claimed that delay and the very substantial adverse publicity had made his fair trial impossible, and that it was not an offence for a foreign national to solicit murders to be carried out abroad. Held: The appeal failed. Murder is singled out as an offence even … Continue reading Regina v Abu Hamza: CACD 28 Nov 2006
The defendant saw disparaging statements made about him by neighbours in the course of divorce proceedings. He wrote to them and asked them to withdraw the statements they had made and threatened proceedings for slander. He was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. Held: A threat or promise made to a witness … Continue reading Regina v Kellett: CACD 1976
By common law police officers owe to the general public a duty to enforce the criminal law. However, police are servants of no one but the law itself, and a chief officer of police has a wide discretion as to the manner in which the duty is discharged. It is for him to decide how … Continue reading Blackburn v Commissioner of the Police for the Metropolis: CA 1968
The defendant appealed against his conviction. Before he gave evidence, his legal team withdrew for professional embarrassment. He now complained that notwithstanding that he was unrepresented, prosecuting counsel had been permitted to make a closing address. Held: The appeal failed. Rose LJ said: ‘So far as the prosecution’s second speech is concerned, in the light … Continue reading Stovell, Regina v: CACD 12 Jan 2006
Defendant’s death stops trial immediately At his trial for serious sexual offences, the jury passed a note to the judge saying that they had reached unanimous verdicts on several counts. The judge did not pass the note to counsel, but instead asked the jury to retire overnight to try again on the following day. Overnight, … Continue reading Turk (Deceased) v Regina: CACD 6 Apr 2017
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 Court considered whether the future of two little girls, aged four and two years, should be decided by the courts of this country or by the authorities in Hungary. Both children were born in England and lived all their lives here. But their parents were Hungarian and the children were nationals of Hungary, not … Continue reading In Re N (Children): SC 13 Apr 2016
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
The court considered whether the trial court had correctly identified the test for fitness to plead. Held: The appeal was allowed: ‘Once the issue of fitness to plead has been raised it must be determined. In this case, the judge explicitly found that the appellant had been fit to participate in his trial up to … Continue reading Orr, Regina v: CACD 7 Jul 2016
The Registrar of a County Court was convicted of offences of misconduct in public office. The indictment charged ‘misbehaviour in a public office, contrary to common law’ and alleged that court orders had been made ‘with the intention of gaining . .
The plaintiff challenged a compulsory purchase order as unlawful and made in bad faith and sought damages for trespass. Paragraph 16 provided that an order could not be challenged by legal proceedings, save in the circumstances identified in . .
The defendant appealed his conviction of murder saying that evidence of other pathologists undermined the evidence given by similar experts for the crown.
Held: The court took the opportunity to give guidance on the provision of expert . .
Lord Wilberforce said: ‘My Lords, the distinction in law between a promise as to future action, which may be broken or kept, and a statement as to existing fact, which may be true or false, is clear enough. There may be inherent in a promise an . .
There had been a collision between two ships. The plaintiff sought to have admitted in evidence a film of radar echoes recorded by a shore radio station. The defendants argued that evidence produced mechanically and without human intervention was . .
