Application under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 by Her Majesty’s Attorney General for leave to refer a sentence to this court because it appears to him to be unduly lenient. Conviction for grievous bodily harm and sentence of five years and five months, Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 228 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading Reference 99 of 2005 By the Attorney General, Re S.36 Criminal Justice Act 1988: CACD 15 Feb 2006
The court considered the power to increase a sentence of committal for contempt of court: ‘Before considering any increase in sentence or changing the impact of any sentence adversely to the defendant we have to remind ourselves that this is a power which must be used sparingly. The sort of circumstances in which it could … Continue reading Neil v Ryan: CA 23 Jul 1998
Request for certificate of inadequacy Judges: Mr Justice Murray Citations: [2020] EWHC 923 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 83 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 19 November 2022; Ref: scu.650116
The defendant was accused of a sexual offence alleged to have been committed some 15 years earlier. He asked the magistrates to dismiss the charge as an abuse of process, and now appealed their refusal. Held: The onus was on the accused to show, to a civil standard that a fair trial could not now … Continue reading Regina v Telford Justices, ex parte Badhan: CACD 1991
Appeal against the order of Kenneth Parker J made on 4 November 2010 whereby he dismissed the appellant’s application for permission to continue an action for breach of duty against the respondent, a receiver appointed by the court pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Judges: Ward, Lloyd, Kitchin LJJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ 1317 … Continue reading Glatt v Sinclair: CA 23 Nov 2011
Loss of Confidentiality Protection – public domain A retired secret service employee sought to publish his memoirs from Australia. The British government sought to restrain publication there, and the defendants sought to report those proceedings, which would involve publication of the allegations made. The AG sought to restrain those publications. Held: A duty of confidence … Continue reading Attorney-General v Guardian Newspapers Ltd (No 2) (‘Spycatcher’): HL 13 Oct 1988
The Court considered the procedures when a prisoner is kept in solitary confinement, otherwise described as ‘segregation’ or ‘removal from association’, and principally whether decisions to keep the appellants in segregation for substantial periods were taken lawfully. Held: The segregation was not authorised by the applicable legislation: ‘rule 45 . . (1) enables the governor … Continue reading Bourgass and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 29 Jul 2015
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
In view of the new categories of people may be called to jury service, the court gave amended guidelines on principles allowing excusal. The new categories might have greater responsibilities by way of public service commitments. Applications for excusal must be dealt with with common sense. Directions were also given for situations arising where jurors … Continue reading Practice Direction (Jury Service: Excusal): SC 22 Mar 2005
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 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
The defendant appealed a refusal of a certificate of inadequacy to an amount due under a confiscation order, saying that the court had wrongly allowed for the value of a consultancy agreement under which he was entitled to receive an annual fee for his services. Held: The value of the contract was not realisable property … Continue reading In the Matter of Christopher Adams, In the Matter of the Criminal Justice Act 1988: Admn 26 Nov 2004
The defendant appealed against his conviction for having failed to identify the driver of a car caught speeding by a camera. He was the registered keeper. He completed and returned the form, but did not sign it. The statute imposed no explicit obligation to sign it. He also said that since he was already suspected … Continue reading Francis v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 23 Mar 2004
The appellant had been convicted of having a pointed article with him in a public place. He said that the car he was driving had needed an instrument to operate the lock. At first he had used a knife, but then used scissors, losing the knife in the car. Held: The jury must be required … Continue reading Jolie v Regina: CACD 23 May 2003
The prisoner had been convicted of three murders in 1988 and sentenced to life imprisonment. He now sought the setting by the court of a minimum period he was to be required to serve. The Home Secretary had set it at 25 years. Held: The prisoner had made exceptional progress since conviction, and this could … Continue reading In re Cadman’s Application: QBD 23 Mar 2006
A knife fell from the defendant’s jeans during the course of a police search. He claimed to have forgotten about it. Held: It is important to concentrate on the time in respect of which the defendant is charged. Six days earlier he had the knife on him for a good reason, because the justices found … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Gregson: QBD 23 Sep 1992
The appellant a police officer had arrived at work having been drinking. A senior officer asked if he had driven to work. He replied yes, and on that basis had been convicted of driving with excess alcohol. He appealed saying that the question should have been put to him under caution. The magistrates said: ‘we … Continue reading Ridehalgh, Regina (on the Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 23 May 2005
Evidence in support of an application for a witness’ statement which was to be read out, should be supported by oral evidence, though that may properly be given by a police officer. Citations: (1991) 92 Cr App R 98 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Lobban, Regina … Continue reading Regina v Acton Justices ex parte McMullen and others: CACD 1991
The defendant was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by making a false allegation of assault against the police. It was said that he must have made a false statement in his application for legal aid for the purpose of bringing his civil action for assault. The 1974 Act made it an … Continue reading Regina v Snaresbrook Crown Court, ex parte Director of Public Prosecutions: 1988
The defendant appealed by case stated from his conviction for using a motor vehicle fitted with a siren. When stopped various items suggesting that driver might be providing an ambulance service were found. The siren was not used. Held: The test was: ‘is the vehicle concerned used (or primarily used) for conveying the sick, the … Continue reading Lord-Castle v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 23 Jan 2009
Compensation orders made in enforcement proceedings are criminal. They should attract legal aid. Citations: Times 23-Feb-1995 Statutes: Legal Aid Act 1988 19-5 Legal Aid Updated: 10 April 2022; Ref: scu.87608
When imposing a criminal confiscation order it was within a judge’s proper discretion to conclude on uncertain matters. This could include as here a valuation of a property and a judgement whether a charge on the property was unlikely to be enforced, and should be disregarded in calculating values available for order. Citations: Gazette 23-Sep-1998, … Continue reading Regina v Harvey: CACD 23 Sep 1998
Sir Brian Leveson P QBD, Sweeney J, Griffith-Jones HHJ [2016] EWCA Crim 448, [2016] 4 WLR 99 Bailii Criminal Justice Act 1988 England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 18 January 2022; Ref: scu.566426
Where a defendant was accused in relation to the acquisition of assets by criminal conduct, the onus was not on the prosecution to disprove the defendant’s assertions about how the assets had been acquired, but rather it was for the defendant to establish on a balance of probabilities that the defence applied.Where a defendant was … Continue reading Regina v Leonard Gibson: CACD 23 Feb 2000
The defendant was charged with having in his possession a locked blade. His defence was that he had good reason, relying upon the explanation given at the police station. The judge withdrew the defence from the jury. He appealed, saying the judge should have left the jury to decide. Held: The words ‘good reason’ were … Continue reading Regina v Bown (Mark): CACD 23 Jun 2003
The two claimants had had their convictions reversed on appeal, and now sought judicial review of the refusal of compensation under the 1988 Act. Sharp LJ, Blake J [2015] EWHC 2383 (Admin) Bailii Criminal Justice Act 1988 133 England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 03 January 2022; Ref: scu.551068
The applicants had each been given a life sentence, but having served the minimum term had been due to have the continued detention reviewed to establish whether or not continued detention was necessary for the protection of the pblic. It had not been, and each had claimed there was no basis for his continued detention, … Continue reading Faulkner, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice and Another: SC 1 May 2013
The defendant was to be charged with offences associated with terrorism. He had sought stay of the trial as an abuse of process saying that he had been tortured by English US and Pakistani authorities. The judge made an order as to what parts of the . .
The court had delivered a draft judgment which counsel said was based upon a fundamental misunderstanding of the case she had presented. Counsel now suggested that the matter should be referred to a two judge divisional court. That was refused. The . .
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 . .
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Courts are to use written witness statements where the witness refuses to give oral evidence for fear. Citations: Times 31-Oct-1996 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 01 November 2022; Ref: scu.86874
Section allowing admission of documentary evidence was not a breach of requirements of European Convention on Human Rights. Reading of statements allowed where witness in fear. Judge given sufficient balancing discretion to follow convention Citations: Times 24-Jul-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 24 825 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Human Rights Updated: 25 October … Continue reading Regina v Thomas, Regina v Flannagan: CACD 24 Jul 1998
The admission of written evidence for the defendant under the section was to be decided on the civil standard of the balance of probabilities. Citations: Ind Summary 24-Oct-1994, Times 13-Oct-1994, Gazette 09-Nov-1994 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.87296
A consular official with immunity is not deemed to be outside UK for witness summons. Citations: Times 16-Mar-1993, Ind Summary 22-Mar-1993 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(2)(b)(i) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.86997
If the defence could show a proper need to cross examine a witness giving evidence under the section as to a reason for a witness’ non-attendance, the defence should be given that opportunity. Citations: [1997] EWCA Crim 2422, [1998] Crim LR 213 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited … Continue reading Regina v Wood, Fitzsimmons: CACD 10 Oct 1997
Evidence of witness which could only be understood by one individual placed him effectively as interpreter and so his interpretation was admissible. Video recording was admissible as document. Citations: Times 02-May-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.88439
Evidence of witness which could only be understood by one individual placed him effectively as interpreter and so his interpretation was admissible. Video recording was admissible as document Citations: Gazette 20-May-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.86586
A witness who claims forgetfulness out of fear may have a written statement admitted. Citations: Times 10-Mar-1997, Times 05-Mar-1997 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(1) 23(3)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.88275
On a retrial, evidence from a transcript of the first trial is admissible. The alleged confession to a cell mate who boasted of deceptiveness is to be supported in court. Citations: Independent 15-Jun-1995, Times 27-Jun-1995 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 24 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.87207
The inability of a witness to attend my be proved by an affidavit from a third party. Citations: Times 02-Nov-1995 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(2)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.86305
The witness had given three statements to police officers. Some time before the trial, the defendant was released, and the witness gave a further statement declining to give evidence on the basis that he was frightened for himself and his family of reprisals. By the time of the trial, it had been three months since … Continue reading Regina v H Regina v W Regina v M: CACD 6 Jul 2001
The judge has a discretion as to the admission of the written statement made by a witness who had died before trial. Held: The circumstances must vary, according not least to the nature of the issue on which the deceased’s evidence was required. Simple rules could not always apply, but sufficient and proper warning should … Continue reading Regina v Hardwick: CACD 28 Feb 2001
The defendants appealed convictions for murder saying that the court had had read to it the statements of four witnesses who refused to attend for fear, having been intimidated. Other witnesses had been unco-operative and had been treated by the prosecution as hostile. Held: The appeal failed. The appellants’ rights under Article 6 were in … Continue reading Sellick and Sellick, Regina v: CACD 14 Mar 2005
The appellant challenged his conviction for attempted rape of an elderly woman. Her evidence had been accepted in written form because she was unable to attend court. Held: Before accepting such evidence the court had to establish that she would have been competent to give evidence had she been able to attend physically. S23 had … Continue reading Ali Sed v Regina: CACD 27 May 2004
The defendant appealed his conviction. A witness statement had been read, but he had wanted to cross examine her. The court was satisfied that her refusal to give evidence in person was through fear. Held: In making the decision, the judge had incorrectly said that her evidence was uncontested. The errors began with discussions in … Continue reading Lobban, Regina v: CACD 7 May 2004
Appeal after statement of witness read to the court Citations: [1999] EWCA Crim 553 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 24 25 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 10 June 2022; Ref: scu.536015
Mental illness is included in the meaning ‘Unfit to attend as a witness’. The admission of statements under s25 quite different from s26 Criminal Justice Act 1988. Citations: Times 20-Jul-1993, Independent 24-Jun-1993 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(2) 25 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence, Criminal Practice Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.88003
The applicant had been detained pending extradition to the United States on charges of fraud. He said the evidence would not have been sufficient to justify his committal for trial. Held: The Francis case did not establish that the 1984 Act did not apply to extradition procceedings, and they might also be admissible under the … Continue reading In Re Levin; Regina v Governor of Brixton Prison, Ex parte Levin: HL 10 Apr 1997
Citations: [1998] EWCA Crim 1439, [1998] Crim LR 213 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Attorney General’s Reference No 31 of 1995, Regina v Henry CACD 17-Oct-1996 . . Cited by: Cited – Regina v Elliott; Regina v Pearce; Regina v McGee CACD 13-May-2003 In each case a … Continue reading Regina v Wood and Maguire: CACD 30 Apr 1998
When an application is made to have evidence admitted under the 1988 Act, the evidence in support of that application must be given under oath. Citations: [1995] Crim LR 810 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23(3) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Lobban, Regina v CACD 7-May-2004 The defendant appealed his conviction. A … Continue reading Regina v Jennings and Miles: CACD 1995
In each case a witness had been unable to attend court being ill. The defendants claimed the right to cross examine the doctors as to the witness’ condition. Held: The defendant should be allowed to challenge a certificate that a material witness was unable to attend court. His absence would deprive him of the opportunity … Continue reading Regina v Elliott; Regina v Pearce; Regina v McGee: CACD 13 May 2003
Each complainant said that in allowing hearsay evidence to be used against them at their trials, their article 6 human rights had been infringed. In the first case the complainant had died before trial but her statement was admitted. Held: In each case, applying Luca, the trials infringed the right to a fair trial since … Continue reading Al-Khawaja v The United Kingdom; Tahery v The United Kingdom: ECHR 20 Jan 2009
The defendant had been found unfit to plead on a charge of murder. Charges against the co-defendants were later reduced to inflicting grievous bodily harm, but when the defendant came to be dealt with, it was on the basis that the charge remained . .
The defendant had been tried for indecent assaults. The complainant having died before the trial, the judge had ruled that her written statements were admissible. The defendant said he had not had a fair trial.
Held: The appeal failed. The . .
The claimant challenged the calculation of the release date from prison after conviction of MS of the murder of her husband. The AG also argued that the proper appeal was to the Court of Appeal from Northern Ireland and not the Supreme Court. Held: The proceedings did not amount to a ‘criminal cause or matter’ … Continue reading McGuinness, Re Application for Judicial Review (No 2): SC 19 Feb 2020
Counsel appearing at the tribunal had previously sat as a judge with a tribunal member. The opposing party asserted bias in the tribunal. Held: The test in Gough should be restated in part so that the court must first ascertain all the circumstances which have a bearing on the suggestion that the judge was biased. … Continue reading Lawal v Northern Spirit Limited: HL 19 Jun 2003
The defence had requested and been give a ruling of no case to answer. The prosecutor now appealed saying that this had been before he had closed the prosecution case, and had been not with his consent. Held: The prosecutor’s appeal succeeded. The Galbraith case did not suggest that the judge had the power he … Continue reading N Ltd and Another, Regina v: CACD 10 Jun 2008
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
Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 605 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Part VI Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – In Re Glatt Admn 2002 If on an application made in respect of a confiscation order by the defendant the High Court is satisfied that the realisable property is inadequate for the payment … Continue reading Glatt, Regina v: CACD 17 Mar 2006
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 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 claimant sought to enforce an arbitration award made in 1983. Time might otherwise have expired, but the claimants relied on a fax which they said was an acknowledgement of the debt, and also upon a finding in a Romanian court which created an issue estoppel. Held: A typed signature on a fax was capable … Continue reading Good Challenger Navegante S A v Metalexportimport SA: CA 24 Nov 2003
Judges: Raffert LJ, Thirlwall, Gilbart JJ Citations: [2012] EWCA Crim 2356 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 36 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 06 November 2022; Ref: scu.465626
Judges: Mr Justice Collins Citations: [2015] EWHC 538 (Admin), [2015] Lloyds Rep FC 343 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 89 Jurisdiction: England and Wales VAT Updated: 01 November 2022; Ref: scu.544233
Company assets were not to be taken in criminal cases where not charged, unless the company had been used to cloak criminal activity. Citations: Times 29-Feb-1996 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.81235
A cyclist stopped by the police had a knife in an inside pocket. He claimed to have taken it from home and then forgotten about it. He was advised that for the purposes of the section neither forgetfulness nor the fact that he was transporting the knife from one private property to another could amount … Continue reading Regina v Hargreaves: CACD 30 Jul 1999
In each case the appellant had been convicted of particularly serious murders and had been given whole life terms. They now appealed saying that such sentences were incompatible with their human rights after the ruling of the ECHR Grand Chamber in Vinter v UK. Held: The appeals failed. Judges: Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, LCJ; Sir … Continue reading Regina v McLoughlin; Regina v Newell: CACD 18 Feb 2014
The defendants appealed against confiscation orders each for more than andpound;92 million said to have been derived from a substantial fraud. Held: The appeals succeeded. Sums which had been paid into banks as the result of a purported sale of goods by a buffer company in the course of a carousel fraud generating false claims … Continue reading Ahmad and Another v Regina: CACD 2 Mar 2012
The defendant appealed his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He said that the machine used to measure his breath alcohol was not of the type approved by the Secretary of State. Held: There was a presumption that the Intoximeter used was type approved. The defendant had brought no evidence to suggest otherwise. The magistrates … Continue reading Fearnley v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 10 Jun 2005
The claimant advanced funds to the respondent for him to invest in a bank of which the claimant had insider knowledge. In fact the defendant did not invest the funds, the knowledge was incorrect. The defendant however did not return the sums advanced, saying he need not return it because the contract was for an … Continue reading Patel v Mirza: SC 20 Jul 2016
Written statements can be admissible at trial with the protections given by the section without being supported by oral evidence. An inference of the personal knowledge of the maker of statement is permissible. Citations: Ind Summary 03-Apr-1995, Times 09-Feb-1995, [1995] 2 Cr App R 523 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 24(1)(ii) Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading Regina v Foxley: CACD 9 Feb 1995
The defendant had published a set of guidelines for intelligence officers called upon to detain and interrogate suspects. The defendant said that the guidelines could only be tested against individual real life cases, and that the court should not answer hypothetical questions. The objection lay to reactions to anticipated torture and mistreatment by third party … Continue reading Equality and Human Rights Commission v Prime Minister and Others: Admn 3 Oct 2011
The court was asked as to the circumstances in which sentences passed on offenders who have given assistance to prosecuting authorities should be referred back to the sentencing court under section 74 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Held: ‘The Divisional Court’s view that the predominant factor in deciding where the interests … Continue reading Loughlin, Re Application for Judicial Review: SC 18 Oct 2017
The court considered how to determine in the context of applications for confiscation orders, the value of the ‘benefit’ obtained by an offender who has been guilty of managing a company as a director in contravention of a director’s disqualification order or an undertaking not to act as a director. Held: The values were to … Continue reading Seager, Regina v; Regina v Blatch: CACD 26 Jun 2009
Licence conditions imposed at the time of sentence would restrict the defendant after he had served his sentence and been released, and so operated as a heavier penalty, and section 33(1) was incompatible with the defendant’s Art 7.1 rights. Held: Before the 1991 Act, a prisoner was entitled to release after serving the necessary part … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Uttley v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 30 Jul 2003
The defendant appealed saying that after committal, the trial had proceeded on the basis of a voluntary bill of indictment, and he had been convicted on his own plea. He now appealed saying that the bill had not been signed as required. Held: The court ordered a venire de novo so that the case would … Continue reading Regina v Price: CACD 6 Nov 1985
The defendant appealed his conviction for murder. The principal witness’ statement had been allowed to be read to the jury after the witness had claimed to be afraid of giving evidence. Held: There was no general principle which would operate against admitting evidence in this way. Luca did not establish a rule to which there … Continue reading Regina v M (Witness Statement): CACD 20 Feb 2003
Judges: Lord Judge CJ, Royce, Globe JJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 773, [2013] WLR(D) 187, [2014] Crim LR 375, [2013] 2 Cr App R 22, [2014] 1 WLR 199, [2013] EMLR 22 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice, Media Updated: 31 August 2022; Ref: scu.522302
Accessory Liability in Tort The court considered the concept of accessory liability in tort. Activists had caused damage to vessels of the respondent which was transporting live tuna in cages, and had caused considerable damage. The appellant company owned the ship from which the attacks were made, but denied direct involvement in or responsibility for … Continue reading Sea Shepherd UK v Fish and Fish Ltd: SC 4 Mar 2015
The defendant had breached freezing orders and had verified statements put before the court without honestly believing them. He now challenged the subsequent contempt proceedings saying that they were criminal within section 25 of the 1988 Act and hearsay evidence should not have been allowed. Held: The use of section 25 was confined to the … Continue reading Daltel Europe Ltd and others v Makki and others: CA 28 Feb 2006
The court was asked: ‘Was it unlawful for the Secretary of State for Health, the respondent, who had power to make provisions for the functioning of the National Health Service in England, to have failed to make a provision which would have enabled women who were citizens of the UK, but who were usually resident … Continue reading A and B, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: SC 14 Jun 2017
The court considered an application to appoint a receiver under the 1988 Act against background of ancillary relief proceedings. Judges: Munby J Citations: [2005] EWHC 2623 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 80 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family, Criminal Practice Updated: 16 August 2022; Ref: scu.262188
(Scotland) The appellant had variously been convicted in reliance on evidence gathered at different stages before arrest, but in each case without being informed of any right to see a solicitor. The court was asked, as a devolution issue, at what point the duty to allow access to a solicitor arose, and what use might … Continue reading Ambrose v Harris, Procurator Fiscal, Oban, etc: SC 6 Oct 2011
The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014
Evidence from 3rd Party Torture Inadmissible The applicants had been detained following the issue of certificates issued by the respondent that they posed a terrorist threat. They challenged the decisions of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission saying that evidence underlying the decisions had probably been obtained by torture committed by foreign powers, and should not … Continue reading A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No 2): HL 8 Dec 2005
Anonymised Party to Proceedings The BBC challenged an order made by the Court of Session in judicial review proceedings, permitting the applicant review to delete his name and address and substituting letters of the alphabet, in the exercise (or, as the BBC argues, purported exercise) of a common law power. The court also gave directions … Continue reading A v British Broadcasting Corporation (Scotland): SC 8 May 2014
The Bank had employed a doctor to provide medical assessments as necessary. The doctor had used the opportunities presented to assault sexually many patients. The court was now asked whether the Bank was vicariously liable for the acts of this independent contractor. Held: The appeal was allowed. The Doctor was not employed by the bank … Continue reading Barclays Bank Plc v Various Claimants: SC 1 Apr 2020
The court considered the recovery of expenses by a receiver appointed to administer assets of money launderer. The receiver sought to exercise a lien over assets held for the prisoner by the prison to recover the costs of the receivership after the defendant’s conviction for money laundering. The defendant’s wife intervened, seeking to assert her … Continue reading Sinclair In her Capacity As the Former Receiver v Glatt Executors of Estate of Glatt and Glatt and Glatt: CA 13 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
The Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear Attorney General’s reference on an indictable crime committed by a juvenile. Citations: Ind Summary 12-Apr-1993 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 36 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 23 July 2022; Ref: scu.88227
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 defendant appealed from a confiscation order. He was stopped attempting to import substantial quantities of tobacco. He said that since it had been taken at the port, he had not derived an benefit so as to allow an order. Held: The appeal failed. Once a person has evaded the payment of duty he has … Continue reading Edwards v Regina: CACD 30 Nov 2004
The claimant was an employee of the company manufacturing alcohol measuring devices. He sought judicial review of decisions by magistrates to require him to attend court to give evidence which would require him to breach obligations of confidence he had undertaken. Held: Judicial review proceedings were available if necessary to quash witness summonses issued under … Continue reading Cunliffe, Regina (on the Application of) v West London Magistrates’ Court: Admn 6 Jul 2006
The claimants had each been detained without trial for more than two years, being held as suspected terrorists. They were free leave to return to their own countries, but they feared for their lives if returned. They complained that the evidence used to justify their detention was derived from practices involving torture by the US … Continue reading A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, Mahmoud Abu Rideh Jamal Ajouaou v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 11 Aug 2004
The defendant appealed against his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He complained that though the officers suspected him of having consumed alcohol, they asked him whether he had been drinking without cautioning him, and that no print out from the Intoximeter having been produced, there was no evidence on which he could be convicted. … Continue reading Sneyd v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Feb 2006
The claimant had dual Irish and US nationality. He therefore also was a citizen of the EU. He complained that the British rules against payment of job seekers’ allowance were discriminatory. The matter had already been to the ECJ. Held: The residence test as applied was not in contravention of EU law. ‘[T]he proper interpretation … Continue reading Collins v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 4 Apr 2006
Each defendant sought disclosure of materials concerning the intoximeter instruments, having been charged with driving with excess alcohol. The defendants said that the meters were inaccurate and that the manufacturers were in effect part of the prosecution, and subject to disclosure requirements accordingly. The prosecution replied that the meter manufacturer specifications were protected as confidential. … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Wood; Director of Public Prosecutions v McGillicuddy: Admn 19 Jan 2006
The defendant had been convicted of offences in which he had operated to purchase companies and use false debentures to evade corporation tax. Compensation had been sought under the 1988 Act. It was argued that the confiscation order should be quashed because the defendant had not benefitted as alleged. Held: The appeals failed. The court … Continue reading Regina v Stannard: CACD 1 Nov 2005
The Attorney-General referred sentences for conspiracy to supply drugs. The offenders were part of a highly professional organisation, in close contact with each other and others in this country and abroad over a period of months, which culminated in the importation of Class A and B drugs worth in the region of andpound;5 million, intended … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference Nos 5-8 of 2003 (Davies, Rowan, Abbey, Hassan): CACD 14 Nov 2003