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
Citations: [1998] EWCA Crim 681 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 139 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 20 November 2022; Ref: scu.465030
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
(Court’s Martial Appeal Court) The newspaper appealed against an order under section 94 of the 1955 Act restricting the identification of the defendants. The judge had said there would be a threat to both the safety of the defendants and as to the administration of justice and national security. It was now accepted that the … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd and others v Soldier B: CACD 24 Oct 2008
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 court considered the existence of a power in the magistrates court to order a hearing to be held in camera and referred to section 11 of the 1981 Act. Watkins LJ said: ‘However, I am bound to say that I am impressed with the argument that the action taken by the justices in the … Continue reading Regina v Evesham Justices, ex parte McDonnagh: QBD 1988
Supreme Court of Canada Appellant testified at his trial for drug trafficking and, at the close of his defence, brought an application for a stay of proceedings on the basis of entrapment. His testimony indicated that he had persistently refused the approaches of a police informer over the course of six months, and that he … Continue reading Regina v Mack: 15 Dec 1988
The applicants appealed sentences for possession of offensive weapons. Held: The court gave guidance on the issues of relevance in sentencing. The court should follow the Sentencing Advisory Panel in considering the intentions of the defendant. Particular aggravations might be the specific planned use, any racial aggravation, or being under the influence of drugs. As … Continue reading Regina v Poulton; Regina v Celaire: CACD 24 Oct 2002
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
Prerogative act of prorogation was justiciable. The Prime Minister had prorogued Parliament for a period of five weeks, leaving only a short time for Parliament to debate and act the forthcoming termination of the membership by the UK of the EU. The Scottish Court had decided (Cherry) that the prorogation was void being for impermissible … Continue reading Miller, Regina (on the Application of) v The Prime Minister; Cherry QC v Lord Advocate: SC 24 Sep 2019
The Home Secretary was under no duty to bring the new statutory CICB scheme into force on any particular date. He was free to continue to use his own. The court refused to order a judicial review. Judges: Staughton LJ and Buckley J Citations: Times 30-May-1994, Independent 24-May-1994 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 17(1) 108 … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department Ex Parte Fire Brigades Union and Others: QBD 24 May 1994
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
The defendant company had been accused of selling a bladed article to a youth making a test purchase. The prosecutor now appealed by way of case stated raising the question as to whether a reasonable precaution taken after a test case conducted by the trading standards of a local authority necessarily discloses a failure to … Continue reading Enfield London Borough Council v Argos Ltd: Admn 24 Jun 2008
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 applicant built a shed on land behind his bungalow, but without planning consent. The planning authority issued enforcement proceedings. He appealed, contending that it fell within the Order. The inspector visited the property, and decided that it was not within the curtilage of the house. The land owner appealed. Held: Whether the shed was … Continue reading Crockett v Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and another: Admn 24 Oct 2002
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 faced an accusation of having slapped a child in the street. The child’s carer had called the police to say that she thought the complaint a practical joke. The defendant did not give evidence. The magistrates retired and came back to convict him, but saying that they had seen his antecedents, which had … Continue reading Murchison v Southend Magistrates’ Court: Admn 24 Jan 2006
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 defendant had been made subject to a criminal restraint order so as to preserve his assets pending the outcome of criminal proceedings. He complained that the order affected property which was not his. Held: Such an order could cover property which he had obtained for the benefit of somebody else. What was required was … Continue reading J v Crown Prosecution Service: CA 24 Jun 2005
The appellant sought to resist the registration here of a confiscation order made in the US. She argued it would be contrary to the interests of justice to register it, that the US procedure would be unlawful here under the Convention, the appeal having been held in her absence. Held: It could not be said … Continue reading Barnette v Government of the United States of America; United States Government v Montgomery (No 2): CA 24 Mar 2003
Having been convicted of theft, a confiscation order had been made against which the appellant appealed. The Court of Appeal certified a question of whether confiscation provisions under the 1988 Act were in breach of the defendant’s human rights. Are applications for confiscation orders criminal proceedings under the Convention, and if so do the assumptions … Continue reading Regina v Rezvi: HL 24 Jan 2002
There is no residual common law power of entry for police to enter into premises to execute a search without first obtaining a warrant, beyond that contained in the Act. The Act was intended to provide a complete statement of the powers of entry for the purpose identified by the section, namely searching a property … Continue reading Regina (Michael Rottman) v Commissioner of Police for Metropolis and Secretary of State for Home Department: Admn 24 Jul 2001
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
Where a foreign court had made criminal confiscation order, and sought to enforce it against a party here, and the order enforcing that restraint order had been discharged by the High Court, the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction to hear an appeal against discharge. Citations: Times 24-Aug-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988, Criminal Justice Act … Continue reading In Re M and Another (Restraint Order: External Confiscation Order): CA 24 Aug 1998
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 prisoner challenged the decision to place him in segregation under Prison Rule 43. Under rule 43(1) the initial power to segregate was given to ‘the governor’. The case arose from the fact that the governor of one prison had purported to authorise the segregation of a prisoner on his arrival at another prison to … Continue reading Regina v Deputy Governor of Parkhurst Prison, Ex parte Hague, Weldon v Home Office: HL 24 Jul 1991
Common assault sentence must reflect seriousness of injury to complainant. Citations: Ind Summary 24-Jul-1995 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 39 Criminal Sentencing Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87479
The claimants had had their criminal convictions quashed, but had had claims for compensation rejected. They said that section 133(1ZA) of the 1988 Act (as amended) infringed their Human Rights by displacing the presumption of innocence. Held: The appeals failed. The Supreme Court had decided that the presumption of innocence had been displaced in such … Continue reading Hallam and Another, Regina (on The Applications of) v The Secretary of State for Justice: CA 11 Apr 2016
The agent required the contractual counterparty to pay a bribe of pounds 70,000 to an offshore account. Held: The bribe was held to be recoverable by the principal whether the principal rescinded or affirmed the contract because it was a secret profit. ‘The remedy is not confined to cases where the agent has taken a … Continue reading Logicrose Ltd v Southend United Football Club Ltd: CA 5 Feb 1988
The defendant appealed against his conviction for possession of a bladed article. He had used the knife at work and forgotten to leave it at work and had it in his pocket by accident. Held: The appeal succeeded. The defendant had been accepted as a truthful witness, and ‘In my judgment that is a broad … Continue reading Chahal v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Feb 2010
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 claimants complained of their segregation while in prison. Several preliminary questions were to be decided: whether damages might be payable for breach of a Convention Right; wheher the act of a prison governor was the act of the executive; whether time ran from the date of the first breach, whether want of proportionality is … Continue reading Somerville v Scottish Ministers: HL 24 Oct 2007
Anonymity not to be by secret trial The newspaper appealed against an order for the defendant soldiers’ trial to be held in camera. Held: Section 94(2) could not be used to provide anonymity. The court relied on its common law powers under which: ‘for us to be entitled to make any order for anonymity for … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd and others v Regina and others: CMAC 24 Oct 2008
The Claimant challenges the Defendant’s refusal to pay him compensation under section 133 (as amended) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 in the circumstances described below. . .
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 . .
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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
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 prosecutor Agency appealed by way of case stated against a decision refusing to allow them to admit documentary evidence. Held: The appeal was dismissed, but the court took the opportunity to say that a case stated did not need as in this case to set out the full details of some 200 informations which … Continue reading Vehicle and Operator Services Agency v George Jenkins Transport Ltd: Admn 20 Nov 2003
The defendants were prosecuted for various offences relating to the selling and marketing of veterinary products without being licensed. Their cases were dismissed, when the prosecution put forward evidence as to the nature of what was being sold, but only in the form of the labels on the packages. The defence successfully argued that chemical … Continue reading Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs v Atkinson, Hughes: QBD 9 Oct 2002
The Board appealed dismissal by the magistrates of their complaint that the defendant had failed to comply with an order requiring him to report to a relevant officer after his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. The defendant argued that no proper evidence had been brought that he had been informed of the relevant appointment. … Continue reading West Yorkshire Probation Board v Townend: Admn 28 Jul 2005
Maker of statement is the actual deponent not the source of information. Citations: Times 07-Dec-1994 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 24 Criminal Evidence Updated: 18 May 2022; Ref: scu.78710
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
The court considered disclosure of a legally privileged note of an interview: ‘I believe that the principle underlying the rule of practice exemplified by Burnell v British Transport Commission is that, where a party is deploying in court material which would otherwise be privileged, the opposite party and the court must have an opportunity of … Continue reading Nea Karteria Maritime Co Ltd v Atlantic and Great Lakes Steamship Corporation (No 2): 11 Dec 1978
(Supreme Court of New South Wales) The NSW statute required that an indictment should be signed by any one of a number of persons specified in the section, including a person authorised by the Director of Public Prosecutions to sign indictments, and empowered the DPP by order in writing to authorise persons to sign indictments … Continue reading Regina v Janceski: 18 Aug 2005
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
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 was convicted of murder. Evidence during the trial suggested a possibility of manslaughter, but neither the defence nor prosecution proposed the alternate verdict. The defendant now appealed saying that the judge had an independent duty to leave that option to the jury. Held: The appeal succeeded. The judge should have left a manslaughter … Continue reading Regina v Coutts: HL 19 Jul 2006
From failure to make compensation orders Judges: Lord Justice Hooper Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 796 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 36 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 24 November 2022; Ref: scu.240365
The defendant said that he had been threatened in the street and had taken two knives from his attacker. He appealed his conviction saying that the Crown had not shown that he had intended to use the knives offensively. Held: His appeal failed. The 1953 Act applied to any object including items not in themselves … Continue reading Szewczyk, Regina v: CACD 22 Oct 2019
The applicant had been released from prison on licence, but was subject to the use of an electronic tag, because his offence had been one of violence. The tag was removed and the applicant made himself scarce. His licence was revoked. His solicitors made representations about this, but his request was not to be dealt … Continue reading Ahmed, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 4 May 2006
Judges: Lord Justice Warby Mrs Justice O’Farrell DBE Mrs Justice Cutts DBE Citations: [2022] EWCA Crim 1295 Links: Bailii Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 13 November 2022; Ref: scu.682441
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
Citations: [2006] EWCA Crim 3269 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 36 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 24 October 2022; Ref: scu.248240
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
Solicitor General’s application to refer sentences to this court under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 as being unduly lenient. Citations: [2018] EWCA Crim 1170 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 19 October 2022; Ref: scu.624003
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
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
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 defendant had been made the subject of a confiscation order. He appealed, saying that in calculating the assets, he had taken the gross value of his property without allowing for an outstanding mortgage. Held: The mortgage advance was not tainted money. Although the 1994 and 1988 Acts were intended to operate similarly and in … Continue reading Regina v Walls: CACD 30 Oct 2002
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 appellant appealed his conviction for murder. The prosecution case had been that the victim died before a certain time. Witness had come to light after the first trial who knew her, and claimed to have seen her after the time of death according to the prosecution. He had been convicted at a second trial, … Continue reading Regina v Thomas: CACD 29 Apr 2002
Judges: Lord Woolf of Barnes LCJ Citations: [2005] EWCA Crim 954 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 36 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 14 September 2022; Ref: scu.249343
The defendant appealed her conviction for assisting another to retain the proceeds of crime. The court considered what was meant by ‘suspicion’. Held: For a defendant to be convicted of an offence under section 93A(1)(a) of the 1988 Act, he or she must think that there is a possibility, which is more than fanciful, that … Continue reading Da Silva, Regina v: CACD 11 Jul 2006
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 applicant was a restricted mental patient. His conditional release had been ordered, but required a consultant psychiatrist to be found who would agree to supervise him. None such could be found, and his detention continued. After two years he contended that his continued detention infringed his human rights. Held: Campbell’s case required s73 to … Continue reading Regina (IH) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Another: CA 15 May 2002
Judges: Mr Justice Colman Citations: [2004] EWHC 1529 (Comm), [2005] 1 CLC 866, [2004] 4 All ER 1024, [2004] 2 All ER (Comm) 880 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 93A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Banking Updated: 27 August 2022; Ref: scu.198572
The defendant was convicted of having in his possession goods bearing a a sign identical to or likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark. A confiscation order was made, which he now appealed. Held: Under section 71, a person benefitted from the offence if he obtained property as a result of or inconnection with … Continue reading Regina v Davies (Derrick): CACD 6 Nov 2003
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 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
(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
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
Twins were conjoined (Siamese). Medically, both could not survive, and one was dependent upon the vital organs of the other. Doctors applied for permission to separate the twins which would be followed by the inevitable death of one of them. The parents, devout Roman Catholics, resisted. Held: The parents’ views were subject to the overriding … Continue reading In Re A (Minors) (Conjoined Twins: Medical Treatment); aka In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation): CA 22 Sep 2000
The Home Secretary’s non-statutory scheme for the compensation for criminal injuries was unlawful pending implementation of the Act. It amounted to an abuse of power. He had power to delay implementing the new Act, with no duty to bring it into force, but could not in the interim introduce a scheme which differed radically from … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department Ex Parte Fire Brigades Union and Others: CA 10 Nov 1994
The defendant had been convicted of publishing obscene articles for gain under the Act. He lived in London, and published a web site which was stored or hosted abroad, containing pornographic items. The investigating officer had called up the web-site from within the UK. The defendant appealed saying that he had not acted within the … Continue reading Regina v Perrin: CACD 22 Mar 2002
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
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 appellants were magazines and journalists who published, after committal proceedings, the name of a witness, a member of the security services, who had been referred to as Colonel B during the hearing. An order had been made for his name not to be disclosed during the hearing, but the court had had no power … Continue reading Attorney-General v Leveller Magazine Ltd: HL 1 Feb 1979
The claimants 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
Before committing the defendant for sentence, the magistrates court had itself decided on disputed facts behind the plea. After being committed to the Crown Court, the defendant asked that court to conduct a further hearing to determine the facts. He now appealed a decision that that court did not have the jurisdiction to do so. … Continue reading Gillan v The Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 15 Feb 2007
The claimant sought judicial review of a refusal to make an ex gratia payment for his imprisonment whilst successfully resisting extradition proceedings. Terrorist connections had been suggested, but the judge made an explicit finding that at no stage had any evidence been produced. Held: The 1988 Act provided only limited circumstances for a payment, but … Continue reading Raissi, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 22 Feb 2007
The court considered the factors to be accounted in a defence of self-defence. Lord Lane LCJ said: ‘If the defendant is proved to have been attacking or retaliating or revenging himself, then he was not truly acting in self-defence. Evidence that the defendant tried to retreat or call off the fight may be a cast-iron … Continue reading Bird, Regina v: CACD 22 Mar 1985
Media bodies appealed against an order postponing publicity about the trial of the defendant until the conclusion of the trial of his co-defendants. He had asked to be sentenced on his plea rather than to have his sentence postponed. The judge was concerned at the possible effect of great publicity on the trial to follow. … Continue reading In re B: CACD 27 Oct 2006
A-G’s appeal against sentence of 15 months Custody Probation following the defendant’s conviction for causing death by careless driving having consumed excess alcohol. Judges: Nicholson LJ. Campbell LJ and Coghlin J Citations: [2006] NICA 39 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988, Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 14(1)(b) Northern Ireland, Criminal Sentencing Updated: 08 … Continue reading McManus, Regina v: CANI 19 Oct 2006
The Attorney General sought to appeal against the defendant’s sentence for blackmail, saying that it ( Custody Probation Order of 6 years, consisting of 4 and a half years’ imprisonment followed by 18 months on probation) was unduly lenient. Judges: Nicholson LJ, Campbell LJ and Coghlin J Citations: [2006] NICA 38 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal … Continue reading O’Donnell, Regina v: CANI 19 Oct 2006
Application by the Attorney General for leave to refer to this court under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 a sentence imposed on this offender on the grounds that it is unduly lenient. The sentence was one of 2 years’ imprisonment imposed concurrently on the offender in respect of two offences of possessing … Continue reading Attorney General Reference No 97 of 2006: CACD 19 Oct 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
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 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 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 defendants had had confiscation orders made against them. They had appealed on the basis that the orders were made more than six months after sentence. The prosecutor now appealed saying that the fact that the order were not timely did not invalidate them. Held: The appeal was allowed. The confiscation orders made by the … Continue reading Regina v Soneji and Bullen: HL 21 Jul 2005
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 applicant sought to resist orders for the return to the US of what were alleged to be the proceeds (direct or indirect) of a fraud committed there. She had been in contempt of the court in the US and was a fugitive here. She complained that the US court had refused to allow her … Continue reading Government of the United States of America v Barnette and Montgomery (No 2): HL 22 Jul 2004
The court considered appeals by the Attorney-General against sentences considered to be too lenient, and in particular where a community penalty had been imposed rather than a sentence of immediate imprisonment. Held: The Court emphasised the need for the strict care to be taken in selecting such cases, for appeal. The court should not interfere … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference v Nos. 31, 45, 43, 42, 50 and 51 of 2003; Regina v McInerney; Regina v McLean: CACD 16 Jul 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
