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
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 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 Court considered the following question: ‘What is the correct interpretation of the term ‘person acting in an official capacity’ in section 134(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; in particular does it include someone who acts otherwise than in a private and individual capacity for or on behalf of an organisation or body which … Continue reading TRA, Regina v (Redacted Judgment): SC 13 Nov 2019
The receiver had been appointed under the 1968 Act, to manage the affairs of the defendant on his prosecution for tax fraud. She now sought a declaration as to her personal liability for tax which fell due. She had paid over some andpound;2 million to the court which she had realised. Held: A receiver was … Continue reading In re Inland Revenue Commissioners v Placentini (Defendant) Dayman (receiver), In re Criminal Justice Act 1988, and Taxes Management Act 1970: QBD 4 Feb 2003
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
There was an issue whether or not the purchase by the plaintiff of a second-hand car was made ‘in the course of a business’ so as to preclude the plaintiff from relying upon the provisions of the 1977 Act.
Held: Speaking of Lord Keith’s . .
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The Commissioners had been appointed as receiver of the claimant’s assets. The receivership was later discharged, but should have been discharged earlier, the court had the power not only to calculate the level of remuneration but also who should be responsible for making payment. In this case the commissioner should bear some of the cost. … Continue reading Capewell v Customs and Excise and Another (No 2): CA 29 Jul 2005
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 court approved guidelines for the appointment and remuneration of a receiver appointed under the 1988 Act. Judges: Lord Justice Laws Lord Justice Longmore Lord Justice Carnwath Citations: [2004] EWCA Civ 1628, [2005] 1 All ER 900, [2004] All ER (D) 29 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 77(8) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: … Continue reading Capewell v Commissioners for HM Customs and Excise and Sinclair: CA 2 Dec 2004
A restraint order had been made against O in an action under the 1988 Act. He sought a variation. On the application of the prosecutor he was ordered to file an affidavit of means. He sought to appeal, but the prosecutor said no appeal lay. Held: An appeal was possible. It succeeded only to the … Continue reading In Re O (Restraint Order: Disclosure of Assets): 1991
HHJ Head said: that ‘merely acting in ways which would otherwise be lawful but which constitute a breach of an Restraint Order cannot amount to the necessary ingredients of Perverting’. Judges: HHJ Head Citations: Unreported, 11 Oct 2011 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 77 Cited by: Distinguished – Kenny v Regina CACD 30-Jan-2013 The appellant … Continue reading Regina v Ludlam et al: 11 Oct 2011
Appeal against order for payment of costs on application for criminal restraint order. Ward, Toulson, Hedley LJJ [2010] EWCA Civ 961 Bailii Criminal Justice Act 1988 77 England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 28 December 2021; Ref: scu.421547
The appellant challenged the appointment of a receiver in respect of property registered in his name, but said to be the realisable property of a man convicted of cheating the revenue. He said that he had funded the property, and that he had not been given appropriate opportunity to become involved in the earlier proceedings. … Continue reading Lamb v Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: CA 18 Mar 2010
The appellant appealed against the refusal to discharge a restraint order under the 1988 Act. The sum found to have been obtained in the later trial vastly exceeded the sum the defendant said had ever come within his control or benefit. Held: Though some criticisms of the Court of Appeal decision were valid, the appeal … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Jennings: HL 14 May 2008
An English court had power to make a restraining order against the disposal of assets pending an application for confiscation pursuant to a US order. This applied even if the US original judgment predated the date on which the US was added to the . .
The defendant had been convicted of criminal offences, and the prosecutor sought a receivership and a claim against property in the sole name of the second defendant to this action. . .
References: Unreported, 11 Oct 2011 Coram: HHJ Head HHJ Head said: that ‘merely acting in ways which would otherwise be lawful but which constitute a breach of an Restraint Order cannot amount to the necessary ingredients of Perverting’. Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 77 This case is cited by: Distinguished – Kenny -v- Regina CACD … Continue reading Regina v Ludlam et al; 11 Oct 2011
Following his conviction for false accounting, a confiscation order was made against the defendant. After agreeing various adjournments the prosecutor said that the magistrates court had no power to allow such an adjournment under section 75(2) of the 1980 Act, because section 75(2)(a) of the 1988 Act did not allow magistrates to remit any part … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Greenacre: Admn 3 Apr 2007
Interesting and difficult question in an arcane field at the intersection of the old equitable remedy of receivership and the modern procedures of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 designed to combat serious crime. The problem in a nutshell is this: if a receiver is appointed under that Act to receive and manage a defendant’s property … Continue reading In re Andrews: CA 25 Feb 1999
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
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
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
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
Compensation for a wrongful imprisonment should include circumstances of miscarriage of justice as well as pardons. A magistrate is not a public authority. The threshold of exceptionality is high: ‘It was essentially a question for the Secretary of State as to what he regarded as an exceptional case. It is difficult to imagine circumstances in … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department, ex parte Bateman – Regina v Same ex parte Howse: QBD 5 May 1993
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
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 appealed conviction and sentence for sexual assaults on young girls. He complained that the prosecution had been allowed to bring in evidence of previous consistent statements. Held: The evidence of the mother had been admitted in a manner agreed between the defence and prosecutor, and the defence had not gone outside the agreement. … Continue reading Regina v Ali: CACD 14 Nov 2003
Citations: [1996] EWCA Crim 1110, [1996] 1 Cr App R (S) 11 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 36 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Regina v Wood and Maguire CACD 30-Apr-1998 . . Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete. Criminal Sentencing Updated: 13 September 2022; Ref: scu.148774
The government of Spain had issued an arrest warrant and application for extradition in respect of Pinochet Ugarte for his alleged crimes whilst president of Chile. He was arrested in England. He pleaded that he had immunity from prosecution. Held: A head of state’s immunity from prosecution extends only to official acts performed in exercise … Continue reading Regina v Bartle and The Commissioner Of Police For The Metropolis and Others Ex Parte Pinochet Ugarte, Regina v Evans and Another and The Commissioner of Police For The Metropolis and Others (No 1): HL 22 Nov 1998
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
Judges: Davis J Citations: [2004] EWHC 861 (Admin), [2004] 3 WLR 906, [2005] QB 133, [2004] 3 All ER 1077, [2004] ACD 51 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 27 August 2022; Ref: scu.195906
The AG referred two case of sentencing for possession of false identity documents. Citations: [2008] EWCA Crim 677 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 36 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – John, Regina v CACD 19-Aug-2008 The defendant was convicted of possession of false identity documents, and sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment. … Continue reading Attorney General Reference Nos 1 and 6 of 2008: CACD 4 Mar 2008
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 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
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 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 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 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 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
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 Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office appealed by way of case stated from a decision of the Crown Court to extend by four months the time limit available to pay a confiscation order made under section 71 of the 1988 Act. The question was whether the Crown Court had jurisdiction to vary or extend the … Continue reading Revenue and Customs Prosecution Service v Kearney: Admn 27 Feb 2007
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
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
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 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
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 appellant was waiting for a train when his bag was stolen. After a search, the thief tried to deter the appellant from calling the police by suggesting that the bag contained items the appellant should not be carrying. From the bag the appellant produced a curved martial arts sword, in its sheath. He testified … Continue reading Wang, Regina v: HL 10 Feb 2005
The defendant appealed against a substantial confiscation order after his conviction for cheating the public revenue. He said that the judge had been biased or had shown the appearance of bias against him. He had given some assistance to the prosecution in attempting to recover funds, but this had been insufficient. She also rejected the … Continue reading Pigott v Regina: CACD 9 Nov 2009
The defendants appealed a conviction for conspiracy to assist another to retain the benefit of criminal conduct. One set of defendants illegally imported cigarettes, and S was accused of operating a bank account to assist in the moving of the proceeds. He said he was not aware of the criminal source of the funds. Held: … Continue reading Regina v Sakavickas and Another: CACD 3 Nov 2004
This case concerns the making of a confiscation order under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 in circumstances where the victim of the offending has pursued and recovered a civil judgment. Judges: Mackay J, David J Citations: [2009] EWCA Crim 2182 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 21 … Continue reading Silvester, Regina v: CACD 6 Nov 2009
Appeal from conviction for carrying bladed article – judge ruling that not a good reason that he anticipated being attacked again by a particular person. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘from the authorities already referred to, it could amount to a ‘good reason’ under section 139(4) if the appellant was carrying the knife for his own … Continue reading Mcauley, Regina v: CACD 8 Oct 2009
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
The defendant, out of strong conviction, entered an art gallery and knocked the head from a statue of Margaret Thatcher. Held: The court examined the breadth of the defence of ‘lawful excuse’ to a charge of criminal damage, and whether a court could direct a jury to convict. Despite the possible defects in the direction, … Continue reading Kelleher, Regina v: CACD 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 applicants had either been acquitted of drugs trafficking offences, or were third parties. In each case, property had been taken into receivership, and orders had been made for the receivers to take their costs from the assets taken. The proprietors appealed that part of the orders. Held: The receiver is an officer of the … Continue reading Hughes and Others v HM Customs and Excise: Admn 21 Dec 2001
A County Court may stay a right to buy application by the tenant, even though terms had been agreed, in order to await the result of court proceedings for possession against the secure misbehaving tenant. A court’s case management powers can be invoked to determine substantive rights. Judges: Lord Goff of Chieveley, Lord Lloyd of … Continue reading City Council of Bristol v Lovell: HL 26 Feb 1998
Where the judge decided that no inference could be drawn from the defendant’s silence, because of the absence of facts which could have been mentioned, he had a duty positively to warn the jury not arbitrarily to draw adverse inferences from the silence. He had been wrong to leave it open to the jury to … Continue reading Regina v McGarry: CACD 16 Jul 1998
The court considered the extent to which the defendants in the proceedings can rely on their beliefs as to the unlawfulness of the United Kingdom’s actions in preparing for, declaring, and waging war in Iraq in 2003 in a defence to a charge of criminal damage. Held: International law was to be allowed for in … Continue reading Jones and Milling, Olditch and Pritchard, and Richards v Gloucestershire Crown Prosecution Service: CACD 21 Jul 2004
The defendant appealed his conviction saying the prosecution had failed to disclose an additional earlier and contradictory statement of a central prosecution witness. Held: The statement was of a witness whose evidence had been relied upon by the court and was startlingly different. The applicant having served his sentnce it would be wrong to order … Continue reading Regina v Liverpool Crown Court ex parte Robert Moss: Admn 13 Nov 1996
An application had been made for a production order under section 93H of the 1988 Act which was concerned with the recovery of the proceeds of criminal conduct. The issue was whether an order obtained for the purpose of assisting in the recovery of the proceeds of criminal conduct could be used also in relation … Continue reading Regina v Southwark Crown Court, Ex Parte Bowles (On Appeal From A Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division): HL 7 Apr 1998
The defendant had hit a mother in the face as she held the child. The force was sufficient to cause her to drop the child causing injury to the child. He appealed against a conviction for beating the child. Held: The appeal failed. A battery could be inflicted even though the force actually used was … Continue reading Haystead v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 2 Jun 2000
K, aged 16, had left home to join what was said to be a religious sect. His whereabouts were unknown. He had been made a ward of court and the Official Solicitor was appointed to represent his interests. He had sent messages to say that he was well and did not wish to return. The … Continue reading Kelly (A Minor) v British Broadcasting Corporation: FD 25 Jul 2000
The council had taken the applicant’s children into care alleging that the mother had harmed them. In the light of the subsequent cases casting doubt on such findings, the mother sought the return of her children. She applied now that the hearings be in public. Held: The applicant and her solicitors had already made significant … Continue reading Kent County Council v The Mother, The Father, B (By Her Children’s Guardian); Re B (A Child) (Disclosure): FD 19 Mar 2004
For possession of an indecent image of a child to be proved, it was necessary to establish some knowledge of its existence. Images stored without the defendant’s knowledge by browser software in a hidden cache, of which he was also unaware, were not such, and a conviction was quashed. The situation was akin to a … Continue reading Atkins v Director of Public Prosecutions; Goodland v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 8 Mar 2000
The defendant pleaded guilty to making false statements, and cheating the public revenue by understating his profits as a market trader over a protracted period. The judge made a confiscation order equal to the amount of undeclared profit. On appeal, that element was set aside. The section referred to the pecuniary advantage obtained by the … Continue reading Regina v Frank Adam Moran (Attorney General’s Reference No 25 of 2001): CACD 27 Jul 2001
(Redacted) The court was asked to consider the meaning of ‘torture’ from events in a rebellion in Liberia in 1990. The CACD certified the following point of law of general public importance: ‘What is the correct interpretation of the term ‘person acting in an official capacity’ in section 134(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; … Continue reading Taylor, Regina v: SC 13 Nov 2019
Two women parties used funds generated by a joint business venture to buy a house in which they lived together. It was vested in the sole name of the plaintiff but on the understanding that they were joint beneficial owners. The purpose of the arrangement was so that false benefit claims could be made to … Continue reading Tinsley v Milligan: HL 28 Jun 1993
The deceased was a prisoner known to be at risk of committing suicide. Whilst in police custody he hanged himself in his prison cell. The Commissioner accepted that he was in breach of his duty of care to the deceased, but not that that breach was caustive of the death by suicide. Held: Police and … Continue reading Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis v Reeves (Joint Administratix of The Estate of Martin Lynch, Deceased): HL 15 Jul 1999
(Scotland) By the 2014 Act, the Scottish Parliament had provided that each child should have a named person to monitor that child’s needs, with information about him or her shared as necessary. The Institute objected that the imposed obligation to share information was outwith the powers of the Parliament. It extended the information to be … Continue reading The Christian Institute and Others v The Lord Advocate: SC 28 Jul 2016
The defendants, young boys, had set fire to paper and thrown the lit papers into a wheelie bin, expecting the fire to go out. In fact substantial damage was caused. The House was asked whether a conviction was proper under the section where the defendant had given no thought to a risk of damage, but … Continue reading Regina v G and R: HL 16 Oct 2003
Judges: Wilkie J Citations: [2006] EWHC 2751 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Drug Trafficking Act 1994, Criminal Justice Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 05 April 2022; Ref: scu.245977
In 1995 the defendant was sentenced to twelve years for rapes committed in 1983. He complained that the consequences of the later sentence were adverse because of the 1991 Act. He would now serve three quarters of the sentence rather than two thirds. Held: Article 7.1 prohibits the imposition of a penalty which is heavier … Continue reading Uttley, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 30 Jul 2004
The appellants argued that the court had misdirected itself in law when concluding that neither appellant had satisfied him that the amount that might be realised at the time he made the confiscation orders was less than the agreed amount of benefit, a sum of pounds 3,668,990. The appeal raises the issue as to the … Continue reading Mcintosh and Another v Regina: CACD 22 Jun 2011
Banker’s Liability for Negligent Reference The appellants were advertising agents. They were liable themselves for advertising space taken for a client, and had sought a financial reference from the defendant bankers to the client. The reference was negligent, but the bankers denied any assumption of a duty of care to a third party when purely … Continue reading Hedley Byrne and Co Ltd v Heller and Partners Ltd: HL 28 May 1963
The claimant had served an asset freezing order on the bank in respect of one of its customers. The bank paid out on a cheque inadvertently as to the order. The Commissioners claimed against the bank in negligence. The bank denied any duty of care. Held: The bank’s appeal succeeded. The bank owed a duty … Continue reading HM Customs and Excise v Barclays Bank Plc: HL 21 Jun 2006
Liability in Damages on Statute Breach to be Clear Damages were to be awarded against a Local Authority for breach of statutory duty in a care case only if the statute was clear that damages were capable of being awarded. in the ordinary case a breach of statutory duty does not, by itself, give rise … Continue reading X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council; M (A Minor) and Another v Newham London Borough Council; Etc: HL 29 Jun 1995
Standing to Claim under A1P1 ECHR The appellants had written employers’ liability insurance policies. They appealed against rejection of their challenge to the 2009 Act which provided that asymptomatic pleural plaques, pleural thickening and asbestosis should constitute actionable harm for the purposes of an action of damages for personal injury. Held: The insurers’ appeals failed. … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SC 12 Oct 2011
The respondent had been convicted of thirteen murders and eight attempted murders. He had claimed to have been acting in response to a divine voice heard when he worked in a graveyard. He was diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic. The murders had created a climate of terror over many months over a wide area and he … Continue reading Regina v Coonan (Formerly Sutcliffe): QBD 16 Jul 2010
[2016] EWCA Crim 1053 Bailii Criminal Justice Act 1988 160(1), Protection of Children Act 1978 1(1)(a) England and Wales Crime Updated: 20 January 2022; Ref: scu.567778
The claimants challenged the 2004 Order which prevented their return to their homes on the Chagos Islands. The islanders had been taken off the island to leave it for use as a US airbase. In 2004, the island was no longer needed, and payment had been made (ineffectively) to assist the dispossessed islanders, but an … Continue reading Bancoult, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 2): HL 22 Oct 2008
The defendant resisted extradition to Brussels saying that the offence had been committed in part in England. He had absconded and been convicted. Application was made for his return to serve his sentence. The offences associated with organisation of illegal immigration, fell within the European framework list, but section 65(2)(a) was not satisfied. Held: ‘the … Continue reading Office of the King’s Prosecutor, Brussels v Cando Armas and others: HL 17 Nov 2005
Application for the appointment of a management receiver under section 77 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 in respect of certain property of Mr SMP, the defendant to these proceedings. Mr C M G Ockelton, (Sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge) [2008] EWHC 3245 (Admin) Bailii England and Wales Land, Criminal Sentencing Updated: 08 … Continue reading P, Re: Admn 21 Oct 2008
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
The claimant challenged the Order as regards the prescription of the morning-after pill, asserting that the pill would cause miscarriages, and that therefore the use would be an offence under the 1861 Act. Held: ‘SPUC’s case is that any interference with a fertilised egg, if it leads to the loss of the egg, involves the … Continue reading Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002
Domestic Offence requires Domestic Defence Each defendant sought to raise by way of defence of their otherwise criminal actions, the fact that they were attempting to prevent the commission by the government of the crime of waging an aggressive war in Iraq, and that their acts were accordingly justified in law. Held: The law on … Continue reading Regina v Jones (Margaret), Regina v Milling and others: HL 29 Mar 2006
Local Council may not Sue in Defamation Local Authorities must be open to criticism as political and administrative bodies, and so cannot be allowed to sue in defamation. Such a right would operate as ‘a chill factor’ on free speech. Freedom of speech was the underlying value which supported the decision to lay down the … Continue reading Derbyshire County Council v Times Newspapers Ltd and Others: HL 18 Feb 1993
The prosecutor had lead and relied at trial on evidence obtained by compulsory questioning under the 1986 Act. Held: In doing so the prosecutor was acting to give effect to section 433. The decision in Lambert to disallow retrospective effect of Human Rights decisions in appeal cases may have been incorrect, but will be followed. … Continue reading Regina v Kansal (2): HL 29 Nov 2001
The claimants’ nursing home business had been effectively destroyed by the actions of the Authority which had applied to revoke their licence without them being given notice and opportunity to reply. They succeeded on appeal, but the business was by then ruined. The authority was criticised scathingly. The Authority replied that no allegation of bad … Continue reading Trent Strategic Health Authority v Jain and Another: HL 21 Jan 2009
The claimant had been assistant to a well known publicist. The defendant had settled an action brought by her principal for hacking his mobile telephone, in the course of which it appeared that the claimant’s phone had also been hacked. She now sought disclosure of documents from the defendants, including from the police investigation. Other … Continue reading Phillips v Newsgroup Newspapers Ltd and Others: ChD 17 Nov 2010
Same Sex Partner Entitled to tenancy Succession The protected tenant had died. His same-sex partner sought a statutory inheritance of the tenancy. Held: His appeal succeeded. The Fitzpatrick case referred to the position before the 1998 Act: ‘Discriminatory law undermines the rule of law because it is the antithesis of fairness. It brings the law … Continue reading Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004
The claimant had been sued for the misuse of trademarks by selling motorcycles imported via a parallel market. It claimed that the defendant had filed false evidence in that action, and now appealed a refusal by the judge to bring contempt proceedings. The defendant argued that proceedings could only be brought with the consent of … Continue reading KJM Superbikes Ltd v Hinton: CA 20 Nov 2008
The applicants had been made subject of anti-social behaviour orders. They challenged the basis upon which the orders had been made. Held: The orders had no identifiable consequences which would make the process a criminal one. Civil standards of evidence therefore applied, and hearsay evidence was admissible. Nevertheless, the test as to whether it was … Continue reading Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at Manchester Ex parte McCann and Others: HL 17 Oct 2002
An order had been made protecting the identity of a defendant who pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children. The order was made in the interests of his own children, although they had been neither witnesses in the proceedings against the defendant nor victims of his offence. Held: The Crown Court had no jurisdiction … Continue reading Regina v Croydon Crown Court ex parte Trinity Mirror Plc; In re Trinity Mirror plc: CACD 1 Feb 2008
