Appeal against refusal of extension of time to submit Race Relations Questionnaire. Judges: Buul QC Citations: [1993] UKEAT 376 – 93 – 0111 Links: Bailii Employment, Litigation Practice, Discrimination Updated: 19 June 2022; Ref: scu.210803
‘Slippering’, a punishment by hitting a child with a slipper, when used as part of school discipline was not a degrading punishment under the convention. Conduct must attain a minimum level of severity to engage the operation of the Convention. Citations: Independent 26-Mar-1993, 13134/87, (1993) 19 EHRR 112, [1993] ECHR 16 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Statutes: … Continue reading Costello-Roberts v The United Kingdom: ECHR 25 Mar 1993
School site reverts to original grantors when land is not part of an estate. Citations: Times 12-Nov-1993 Statutes: School Sites Act 1841 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Disapproved – Fraser and Another v Canterbury Diocesan Board Of Finance (No 1) CA 24-Nov-2000 A grant of land was made under the 1841 Act in … Continue reading Marchant and Others v Onslow: ChD 12 Nov 1993
Europa 1. Courses given in an establishment of higher education which is financed essentially out of public funds do not constitute services within the meaning of Article 60 of the EEC Treaty. Under the first paragraph of Article 60 of the Treaty, the chapter on services covers only services normally provided for remuneration. The essential … Continue reading Stephan Max Wirth v Landeshauptstadt Hannover Hannover: ECJ 7 Dec 1993
Diplomas acquired in one member state require may authorisation for use in another state. Citations: Times 06-Apr-1993, C-19/92, [1993] EUECJ C-19/92 Links: Bailii Cited by: Cited – Gebhard v Consiglio dell’Ordine degli Avvocati e Procuratori di Milano ECJ 30-Nov-1995 Practice by lawyers in other European jurisdictions were governed by the general principles of freedom of … Continue reading Kraus v Land Baden-Wurttemberg: ECJ 31 Mar 1993
A child has Special educational needs only if he has a learning difficulty and a need for additional teaching. Citations: Independent 10-Feb-1995 Statutes: Education Act 1993 156 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Education Updated: 31 May 2022; Ref: scu.87706
Application to quash the Secretary of State’s refusal to declare void a ballot as to the future status as grant maintained of a school. Citations: [1996] EWHC Admin 351 Links: Bailii Statutes: Education Act 1993 31(2) Education Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.136899
United States Supreme Court – The court considered the Federal Rules of Evidence in the use of expert or skilled evidence: ‘If scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, … Continue reading Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc: 28 Jun 1993
The Court of Appeal entertained an appeal by a respondent against the judge’s refusal to discharge leave granted ex parte. Challenges to decisions of tribunal should be by way of appeal not Judicial Review. Citations: Times 12-Dec-1995, [1996] ELR 326 Statutes: Education Act 1993 168 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Kemper Reinsurance … Continue reading Regina v Special Educational Needs Tribunal Ex Parte South Glamorgan County Council: CA 12 Dec 1995
It was not discriminatory of school governors to require a ‘communicant’ headmaster in a Church of England school. Citations: Gazette 21-Apr-1993, Independent 04-Mar-1993 Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 4(2) 1(1)(b) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment, Education, Discrimination Updated: 05 May 2022; Ref: scu.78458
The plaintiff claimed damages for personal injuries arising from medical treatment which he had received at a United States military hospital in the United Kingdom while a serving member of the United States Air Force. Held: Section 16(2) applied and therefore the case fell to be decided at common law. The acts complained of took … Continue reading Littrell v Government of the United States of America and Another (No 2): CA 24 Nov 1993
A child has no right of appeal in his own name against a Special Educational Needs Tribunal finding. He had not been a party to the original hearing. An appeal should be brought by the parents. Citations: Times 18-Dec-1995, Times 05-Oct-1995, Independent 28-Sep-1995 Statutes: Tribunal and Inquiries Act 1992 11(1), Education Act 1993 Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading S v Special Educational Needs Tribunal and Another: QBD 28 Sep 1995
There was no need for consultation before a school can be closed as a failing school. Simon Brown LJ emphasised the need to avoid a mechanistic approach to the requirements of consultation. Judges: Simon Brown LJ Citations: Times 15-Dec-1995, [1996] ELR 162 Statutes: Education Act 1993 Part V Cited by: Cited – Eisai Ltd, Regina … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and Another Ex Parte Morris and Others: QBD 15 Dec 1995
A Local Authority considering closing a residential home did not have a duty to notify and consult with each resident who might be affected, but did have a duty to act fairly, and to give sufficiently prominent notice and sufficient time to allow residents to make representations and give their objections, and for these to … Continue reading Regina v Devon County Council Ex Parte Baker, Regina v Durham County Council Ex Parte Broxson: CA 22 Feb 1993
A Local Authority has to balance its duties to provide nurseries against financial constraints. The section sets out duties of a general character which are intended to be for the benefit of children in need in the local social services authority’s area in general. The other duties and the specific duties which then follow must … Continue reading Regina v Barnet London Borough Council Ex Parte B and Others: QBD 17 Nov 1993
The claimant complained that the defendant had said in a television programme that he had failed to act properly when presenting his expert forensic evidence in court in the trial of the Birmingham Six. Held: The court should give to the material complained of the natural and ordinary meaning which it would have conveyed to … Continue reading Skuse v Granada Television: CA 30 Mar 1993
The local authority applied for a care order in relation to the child, on the ground that there was an urgent and continuing need for medical treatment which included blood transfusions. The court considered the legal effect of a parent’s belief (as Jehovah’s Witesses) that medical treatment by blood transfusion is forbidden by the Bible … Continue reading Re O (A minor) (Medical Treatment): FD 12 Apr 1993
A statement made by a politician as to his intentions on a particular matter if elected could not create a legitimate expectation as regards the delivery of the promise after elected, even where the promise would directly affect individuals, and the costs of a child’s education. Any consequences of a failure to keep a promise … Continue reading Regina v Department of Education and Employment ex parte Begbie: CA 20 Aug 1999
The Secretary of State is to disclose all advice on appeal against special needs assessment. Sedley J Times 26-Jan-1994 Education Act 1981 8 England and Wales Citing: Cited – Bushell v Secretary of State for the Environment HL 7-Feb-1980 Practical Realities of Planning DecisionsThe House considered planning procedures adopted on the construction of two new … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education ex parte S: QBD 21 Dec 1993
The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who said that the blanket ban on corporal punishment interfered with their religious freedom. They saw moderate physical discipline as an essential part of educating children in a Christian manner. Held: The appeal was dismissed. For Article 9 to be engaged (aside from certain other threshold conditions) the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005
The defendant was convicted for proselytism contrary to Greek law. He claimed a breach of Article 9. Held: To say that Jehovah’s Witness were proselytising criminally was excessive. Punishment for proselytising was unlawful in the circumstances of this case: ‘Bearing witness in words and deeds is bound up with the existence of religious convictions’ and … Continue reading Kokkinakis v Greece: ECHR 25 May 1993
When considering whether a disciplinary board should have given reasons, the court may find the absence critical ‘where the decision appears aberrant’. ‘the giving of reasons may among other things concentrate the decision-maker’s mind on the right questions; demonstrate to the recipient that this is so; show that the issues have been conscientiously addressed and … Continue reading Regina v Universities Funding Council ex parte Institute of Dental Surgery: QBD 30 Jul 1993
It was a breach of the Convention when parental rights were refused to Jehovah’s Witnesses with regard to the right to refuse to accept a blood transfusion.
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) . .
The plaintiff sought damages after a failed sterilisation. She had been apprehensive during the pregnancy that the child might be handicapped, and in the event the child suffered from temper tantrums, a speech defect and slight dyslexia.
Held: . .
The Secretary of State must give express reasons and findings of fact when dismissing staff. . .
A Crown Court decision to stay an indictment for lack of jurisdiction, was not susceptible to Judicial Review. This was a ‘decision affecting conduct of trial’. The House considered the meaning of the phrase ‘other than its jurisdiction in matters . .
The claimants challenged the 2014 Act saying that in appointing a nominated professional individual for every child, the human rights of the family had been disproportionately interfered with. . .
. .
Free transport to a school of the parents’ choice is not a Local Authority obligation. . .
Three local authorities disputed whether a contract had been made between them, and if so its terms, as to the financial support of a leisure centre.
Held: Later legislation need not frustrate agreement between the parties.
Hirts LJ said: . .
Contract for management of sports centre not frustrated by Act. . .
A trades union is to tell the employer who is being balloted for strike action. Its notice of industrial action must identify those to be ballotted. . .
. .
Gilliatt A foster parent wished to appeal to the SENT against a decision to refuse to provide a statement in respect of a child with special educational needs. The definition of a parent under s 114(b) of the . .
The various applicants sought judicial review of the operation of the Protection of Vulnerable Adults List insofar as they had been placed provisionally on the list, preventing them from finding work. One complaint was that the list had operated . .
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The duty to provide education is a personal right of the child which is not delegable by the Local Authority. Citations: Times 15-Oct-1996 Statutes: Education Act 1993 168 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Education, Local Government Updated: 05 June 2022; Ref: scu.88496
Local Authority had a duty to meet additional costs of providing for pupil’s special needs. Citations: Times 09-Jan-1997, [1996] EWHC Admin 342 Links: Bailii Statutes: Education Act 1993 168(5)(a)(i) Education Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.136890
Citations: [1996] EWHC Admin 168 Links: Bailii Statutes: Education Act 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Education Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.136716
Whether a school is appropriate for the special needs of a child is a matter of fact not of fairness; There is no balancing act to allow for the parents’ wishes. Citations: Times 16-May-1997, Gazette 04-Jun-1997, [1997] EWHC Admin 458 Statutes: Education Act 1993 160(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Education Updated: 28 April 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Crane and Crane v Lancashire County Council: Admn 12 May 1997
A Health Authority may ration the resources it had allocated to special education support. Citations: Times 15-Oct-1996 Statutes: Education Act 1993 166 Education, Local Government Updated: 10 April 2022; Ref: scu.88390
An Education Authority planning to close a school must inform and consult with the parents. Citations: Times 11-Jun-1996 Statutes: Education Act 1993 183 Education Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87101
A foster parent is a ‘parent’ for the purposes of a special educational needs assessment. Citations: Times 15-Aug-1996 Statutes: Education Act 1993 169 Education Updated: 08 April 2022; Ref: scu.80450
A fifteen year old girl absented herself from school when she went to live with a boyfriend at an address which was not known to her mother. The justices acquitted the mother for failing to secure her attendance at school on the basis of ‘any . .
A Local Education Authority may properly take into account the financial resources available to it when setting norm of standards of service and then apply that norm. . .
A local education authority may properly take into account the financial resources available to it when setting the norm of standards of service and then apply that norm. . .
Financial constraints on a local authority may be is relevant as between a choice of provisions but not as to whether to make provision at all. The court is not the arbiter of what constitute suitable arrangements and the decision as to suitability . .
The applicant, a Muslim girl sought to be allowed to wear the gilbab to school. The school policy which had been approved by Muslim clerics prohibited this, saying the shalwar kameeze and headscarf were sufficient. The school said she was making a voluntary choice not to attend. Held: The applicant was not choosing to stay … Continue reading SB, Regina (on the Application of) v Denbigh High School: CA 2 Mar 2005
The claimant had succeeded in her appeal against the cancellation of her registration as a child minder, and now sought damages for negligence in using unnecessarily the emergency procedure leading to damage to the claimant’s reputation and business. Judges: Peter Gibson LJ, May LJ Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 569 Links: Bailii Statutes: Children Act 1989 … Continue reading Bowden and Another v Lancashire County Council: CA 16 Apr 2002
When an appeal was lodged against the decision of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal, it was wrong for that Tribunal later to expand on its reasons, save in exceptional circumstances. Parental preference was not an overriding consideration, given the possible substantial costs of providing education in a special school. The tribunal must strike a balance, … Continue reading Oxfordshire County Council v GB and Others: CA 22 Aug 2001
Mrs Nolan had been employed at a US airbase. When it closed, and she was made redundant, she complained that the appellant had not consulted properly on the redundancies. The US denied that it had responsibility to consult, and now appealed. Held: The appeal failed (Lord Carnworth dissenting). That the exact situation might not have … Continue reading The United States of America v Nolan: SC 21 Oct 2015
The claimants had been imprisoned for many years before their convictions were quashed. They claimed compensation under the Act. The assessor said that there should be deducted from the award the living expenses they would have incurred if they had not been in prison. Held: The statutory scheme replaced an ex gratia scheme, and there … Continue reading Independent Assessor v O’Brien, Hickey, Hickey: CA 29 Jul 2004
In 2000, the claimant sought damages for sexual abuse from before 1951. The issue was as to whether the limitation law which applied was that as at the date of the incidents, or that which applied as at the date when he would be deemed uner the modern law to have acquired knowledge of the … Continue reading McDonnell v Congregation of Christian Brothers Trustees (Formerly Irish Christian Brothers) and others: HL 4 Dec 2003
The claimant sought damages from the respondents who had been responsible for his education, for having failed to diagnose his learning difficulties. The school had recognised that he was underachieving, but diagnosis as to the reason was not easy. Held: Though the school had acted properly, it had failed to call in specialist help and … Continue reading Liennard v Slough Borough Council: QBD 15 Mar 2002
The parents lawfully chose to send their child to a Welsh language school. The authority refused to provide free transport on the basis that a nearer school was available even though it was not a Welsh language school. Held: Provided the parents would have a defence to an accusation of not sending their child to … Continue reading Jones, Regina (on the Application of) v Ceredigion County Council: Admn 22 Jun 2004
The applicant sought the leasehold enfranchisement of two leasehold properties. They were contained in separate leases, but the property had been treated as one for some time. A part of one property extended under part of the other. The claim was resisted on the basis that there was more than one building as required by … Continue reading Malekshad v Howard De Walden Estates Limited: CA 23 May 2001
A charity entered into a contract for the sale of land. It failed to comply with the requirements under the Act. The purchaser assigned the benefit of the contract, to the claimant who sought to enforce the contract. Held: The section only allowed a completed transaction to be rescued. An uncompleted contract was not itself … Continue reading Bayoumi v Women’s Total Abstinence Union Ltd and Another: CA 5 Nov 2003
A grant of land was made under the 1841 Act in 1872 (after the 1870 Act) and the school had in 1874 been transferred to a school board under section 23 of the 1870 Act. The school closed permanently in 1992. The issue was whether reverter had occurred in 1874, with the result that the … Continue reading Fraser and Another v Canterbury Diocesan Board Of Finance (No 1): CA 24 Nov 2000
The will left land for a sports centre to a local authority which no longer existed. If the gift was charitable, the gift would be applied cy pres, but if not it would fail and pass to the family and be subect to Inheritance Tax. Held: A gift to a local authority of land on … Continue reading Guild v Inland Revenue Commissioners: HL 6 May 1992
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
The court was asked whether the daughter of Cecil Parkinson and Sarah Keays should be permitted to take part in a television programme about the specialist help she was receiving for her special educational needs. Held: The court refused to vary an injunction against publication of any details with regard to a particular child. This … Continue reading In re Z (A Minor) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): CA 31 Jul 1995
ECJ Any condition in a competition notice which prohibits candidates with a university degree from entering a competition for category C posts is unlawful – as is any decision of a selection board based on such a condition – because it is incompatible with the principle of equal treatment in conjunction with the first paragraph … Continue reading Noonan v Commission: ECFI 28 Mar 1996
A conveyance of part in 1944 gave a right of pre-emption over retained land. The vendor’s successors the let the retained land to the plaintiff with an option to buy the freehold reversion. The retained land was sold to the defendants in purported compliance with the right of pre-emption. A year later the plaintiff purported … Continue reading Pritchard v Briggs: CA 1980
The claimant appealed against a costs order. She had previously appealed against an order of the High Court on her application for judicial review of the inquest held by the respondent. Held: The coroner, and others in a similar position should not generally be expected to pay the costs of an appeal against an order … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Davies (No 2) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham: CA 27 Feb 2004
The High Court had found the plaintiff to be a charity, and ordered the Attorney-General to be joined in. The A-G appealed that order saying that the plaintiff was not a charity within the 1993 Act. The charity sought to spread the Vaishnava religion in London. Held: Charities Act jurisdiction is restricted to charities registered … Continue reading Gaudiya Mission and others v Brahmachary: CA 30 Jul 1997
Charitable Company- Directors’ Status and Duties A married couple set up a charitable foundation to assist children in developing countries. When the marriage failed an attempt was made to establish a second foundation with funds from the first, as part of W leaving the Trust. Court approval was obtained, but the court ordered the remaining … Continue reading Lehtimaki and Others v Cooper: SC 29 Jul 2020
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
A 10 year old child may be present in court on an application relating to him in exceptional circumstances. Held: The child’s appeal was dismissed. Natural justice did not demand the child’s presence in court, and that the rules allowed the court to take the course that it had done. The court had an inherent … Continue reading In Re W (A Minor) (Secure Accommodation Order: Attendance At Court): FD 13 Jul 1994
Applications were made to strike down regulations governing the use of the herbal product kava-kava. Held: The omission of any transtitional provisions had not affected anyone. Nor was the failure to consult as to the possibility of dealing with the issue by use of a warning label fatal to the regulations. The Minister’s own personal … Continue reading National Association of Health Stores and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Department of Health: CA 22 Feb 2005
The claimant appealed after her claim for sex discrimination had failed. She had been dismissed from her position an associate minister of the church. The court had found that it had no jurisdiction, saying that her appointment was not an employment. However the jurisdiction in sex discrimination cases was wider, extending to those who ‘contract … Continue reading Percy v Church of Scotland Board of National Mission: HL 15 Dec 2005
Reference to Parliamentary Papers behind Statute The inspector sought to tax the benefits in kind received by teachers at a private school in having their children educated at the school for free. Having agreed this was a taxable emolument, it was argued as to whether the taxable benefit was the cost to the employer, or … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992
The applicants sought to oblige the local authority, in compliance with its duties under the 1989 Act, to provide a home for children, and where necessary an accompanying adult. Held: There were four hurdles for the applicants to cross. They must show that their children are children in need within the meaning of section 17(10). … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Barnet ex parte G; Regina v London Borough of Lambeth ex parte W; Regina v London Borough of Lambeth ex parte A: HL 23 Oct 2003
The claimant had spent his childhood in foster care, and now claimed damages against a local authority for decisions made and not made during that period. The judge’s decision to strike out the claim had been upheld by the Court of Appeal. Held: An adult formerly in the care of a local authority as a … Continue reading Barrett v London Borough of Enfield: HL 17 Jun 1999
Lloyds Agents Owe Care Duty to Member; no Contract Managing agents conducted the financial affairs of the Lloyds Names belonging to the syndicates under their charge. It was alleged that they managed these affairs with a lack of due careleading to enormous losses. Held: The assumption of responsibility principle enunciated in Hedley is not confined … Continue reading Henderson v Merrett Syndicates Ltd: HL 25 Jul 1994
Whether Statement defamatory at common law The claimant appealed against a striking out of her claim for defamation on finding that the words did not have the defamatory meaning complained of, namely that she was transgendered or transsexual. Held: The appeal failed.Sir Anthony Clarke MR said: ‘no reasonable reader of the words complained of could … Continue reading Jeynes v News Magazines Ltd and Another: CA 31 Jan 2008
Courts to Settle upon a single meaning if disputed The ‘single meaning’ rule adopted in the law of defamation is in one sense highly artificial, given the range of meanings the impugned words sometimes bear. The law of defamation ‘has passed beyond redemption by the courts’. Where in a libel action there is a dispute … Continue reading Slim v Daily Telegraph Ltd: CA 1968
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
Power to call in is administrative in nature The powers of the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his decision, and certain other planning powers, were essentially an administrative power, and not a judicial one, and therefore it was not a breach of the applicants’ rights to a fair hearing before … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001
A school board employed staff to manage a residential school for vulnerable children. The staff committed sexual abuse of the children. The school denied vicarious liability for the acts of the teachers. Held: ‘Vicarious liability is legal responsibility imposed on an employer, although he is himself free from blame, for a tort committed by his … Continue reading Lister and Others v Hesley Hall Ltd: HL 3 May 2001
The claimant argued that the defendant owed him a duty of care as proprietor of a registered nursing home in cancelling the registration of the home under the 1984 Act. The authority appealed a finding that it owed such a duty. Held: The magistrate had made his decision on the inaccurate material placed before him. … Continue reading Jain and Another v Trent Strategic Health Authority: CA 22 Nov 2007
A prison policy requiring prisoners not to be present when their property was searched and their mail was examined was unlawful. The policy had been introduced after failures in search procedures where officers had been intimidated by the presence of prisoners. Particularly when examining documents subject to legal professional privilege, the rules did not allow … Continue reading Regina (Daly) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 23 May 2001
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 employee had been given twelve weeks notice of redundancy dismissal, and was not required to attend work during the notice period, but then worked additional days. A letter was written in November stating ‘you are given 12 weeks’ notice of dismissal from this company with effect from 5.11.79. You will not be expected to … Continue reading Adams v GKN Sankey Ltd: EAT 1980
Parents wanted their children to attend English middle schools in Wales. The Court dealt with the argument that the objective suitability of the nearer school had to be considered by the court on judicial review. Alternatively, it was argued that it was perverse of the LEA to decide that the Welsh school was suitable. As … Continue reading In Re S: CA 1995
The decisions of University Visitors are subject to judicial review in that they exercise a public function. English law no longer draws a distinction between jurisdictional errors of law and non-jurisdictional errors of law. However, the court has no jurisdiction to review a decision of the visitor of a University on the construction of its … Continue reading Regina v Hull University Visitor, Ex parte Page; Regina v Lord President of the Privy Council ex Parte Page: HL 3 Dec 1992
The claimants sought judicial review of the report prepared by the defendants under which departments providing childrens’ heart surgery at their regional hospital would close. They complained that the consultation had been inadequate and flawed. Held: Review was granted. The respondent had failed to disclose necessary elements of the decision making progress so that the … Continue reading Save Our Surgery Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts: Admn 7 Mar 2013
The claimants said it would be wrong to return them to Zimbabwe where they would be able to evade persecution only by pretending to a loyalty to, and enthusiasm for the current regime. Held: The Secretary of State’s appeals failed. The HJ principle applied. It was wrong to require someone with no political beliefs to … Continue reading RT (Zimbabwe) and Others v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 25 Jul 2012
Right to Life Did Not include Right to Death The applicant was paralysed and suffered a degenerative condition. She wanted her husband to be allowed to assist her suicide by accompanying her to Switzerland. English law would not excuse such behaviour. She argued that the right to die is not the antithesis of the right … Continue reading Pretty v The United Kingdom: ECHR 29 Apr 2002
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
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 Movement sought to challenge decisions of the Secretary of state to give economic aid to the Pergau Dam, saying that it was not required ‘for the purpose of promoting the development’ of Malaysia. It was said to be uneconomic and damaging. It was said by the defendant’s advisers to be an abuse of the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ex Parte the World Development Movement Ltd: Admn 10 Nov 1994
The appellants owned a guesthouse. They appealed from being found in breach of the Regulations. They had declined to honour a booking by the respondents of a room upon learning that they were a homosexual couple. The appellants had said that they were practising Christians and viewed the guest house as their home, and that … Continue reading Bull and Bull v Hall and Preddy: CA 10 Feb 2012
Eweida_ukECHR2013 The named claimant had been employed by British Airways. She was a committed Christian and wished to wear a small crucifix on a chain around her neck. This breached the then dress code and she was dismissed. Her appeals had failed. Other claimants had variously relied upon their Christian faith to justify refusal to … Continue reading Eweida And Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 15 Jan 2013
hmlr_grantEAT10 EAT SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION/TRANSEXUALISMHARASSMENT – ConductPRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Appellate Jurisdiction /Reasons /Burns-BarkeAn Employment Tribunal accepted that 6 out of 12 complaints of discrimination, and 5 out of 12 of unlawful harassment, were made out. None of the acts complained of, save possibly one, was obviously and intrinsically discriminatory. Each finding relied on the … Continue reading HM Land Registry v Grant: EAT 15 Apr 2010
Account taken of circumstances wihout ambiguity The respondent gave advice on home income plans. The individual claimants had assigned their initial claims to the scheme, but later sought also to have their mortgages in favour of the respondent set aside. Held: Investors having once assigned their causes of action to the ICS, could not later … Continue reading Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society: HL 19 Jun 1997
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
Practical Realities of Planning Decisions The House considered planning procedures adopted on the construction of two new stretches of motorway, and in particular as to whether the Secretary of State had acted unlawfully in refusing to allow objectors to the scheme to cross-examine the Department’s witnesses. Held: He had not acted unlawfully (Lord Edmud-Davies dissenting). … Continue reading Bushell v Secretary of State for the Environment: HL 7 Feb 1980
Restraint on Interference with Burden of Proof The defendant had been convicted for possessing drugs found on him in a bag when he was arrested. He denied knowing of them. He was convicted having failed to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that he had not known of the drugs. The case was heard before … Continue reading Regina v Lambert: HL 5 Jul 2001
Allowance of Stigma Damages The employees claimed damages, saying that the way in which their employer had behaved during their employment had led to continuing losses, ‘stigma damages’ after the termination. Held: It is an implied term of any contract of employment that the employer shall not without reasonable and proper cause conduct itself in … Continue reading Malik v Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI); Mahmud v Bank of Credit and Commerce International: HL 12 Jun 1997
