Appellant’s application for a non-molestation injunction pursuant to s.42 of the Family Law Act 1996 – important point of principle or practice, namely the meaning of the term ‘associated person’ in of s. 62(3) of the Act. The Honourable Mr Justice Macdonald [2021] EWHC 1351 (Fam), [2021] WLR(D) 329, [2021] 1 WLR 5724 Bailii, WLRD … Continue reading M v D (Family Law Act 1996 : Meaning of ‘Associated Person’): FD 21 May 2021
Conflict of laws – ‘It is sufficient to say that the party relying upon art. 3 must demonstrate with reasonable certainty that the parties have chosen a particular law as the governing or applicable law. ‘ Judges: Clarke J Citations: [1996] I Lloyd’s Law Rep 380 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Land … Continue reading Egon Oldendorff v Libera Corporation: 1996
The plaintiff claimed damages for acute stress after failing to rescue his two daughters in an accident caused by the defendant. After the accident, he became involved in family proceedings concerning custody of other children. Medical reports used in the children proceedings suggesting an improvement in his condition had not been disclosed to the court … Continue reading Vernon v Bosley (3): CA 19 Dec 1996
The family sought approval of a proposed variation of the will to make best advantage of tax allowances. Because the beneficial interests of children would be affected, the court’s approval was necessary. The judge had refused to approve the variation, saying that it would be contrary to the intention of the testator, and that he … Continue reading Goulding and Goulding v James and Daniel: CA 10 Dec 1996
The parties had married, but the male partner was a transsexual, having been born female and having undergone treatment for Gender Identity Dysphoria. After IVF treatment, the couple had a child. As the marriage broke down the truth was revealed in court, but the plaintiff said that his wife had known the true position. He … Continue reading J v S T (Formerly J): CA 21 Nov 1996
Both husband and wife had independent means, and neither worked. The wife had spent pounds 100,000k on Children Act proceedings, and sought ancillary relief. The judge had made an order on capital to reflect the fact that if those costs had not been spent W would have had the money available as capital. Held: Whilst … Continue reading Tavoulareas v Tavoulareas (2): CA 19 Nov 1996
The parties had gone through a form of marriage, but the purported husband was many years later revealed to be a female to male transsexual. The marriage had been annulled. There was now an application for ancillary relief. Held: Ancillary relief might be available to a trans-sexual whose marriage is annulled. The principle of public … Continue reading S v S-T (Formerly J): CA 25 Nov 1996
The applicant sought to have his application for a residence order heard in open court: ‘Article 6 (1) provides for the public hearing and the public pronouncement of judgment of cases, but with the proviso of exclusion of the press and the public from all or part of the trial ‘in the interest of morals, … Continue reading P-B (a Minor) (child cases: hearings in open court): CA 20 Jun 1996
A strictly mathematical approach to calculating ancillary relief can be inappropriate in large sum cases. The statutory jurisdiction has to provide for all applications for ancillary financial relief, from the poverty stricken to the multi-millionaire. Held: The court to reconcile existing practice wit the statute. Reasonable requirements are more extensive than needs. What a person … Continue reading Dart v Dart: CA 2 Jul 1996
An appointment under a trust created before 1970 but made after was deemed to have been before the change in age from 21 to 18. Citations: Gazette 24-Apr-1996, Times 15-Mar-1996 Statutes: Family Law Reform Act 1969 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Trusts Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.78319
The defendant appealed against his conviction. He had pleaded guilty after a ruling as to the law. Hobhouse LJ said: ‘The meaning of section 179 is clear and unambiguous. Where it is within the power of the owner of the land to comply with the notice without the assistance of others, no question of a … Continue reading Beard, Regina v: CACD 10 May 1996
On an applicatin for ancillary relief on divorce, the sherriff thought that the spouses could share equally in the increase in the value of the matrimonial property after the date when they separated. That could not be done under the rules laid down by the statute. So he refrained from making any order for a … Continue reading Lightbody (Or Jacques) v Jacques: HL 28 Nov 1996
The defendant had been driving the plaintiff’s daughters, but negligently caused an accident from which they died. The plaintiff was called to the accident, and claimed to have suffered post traumatic stress. The defendant said that the effect was explainable simply as grief. The defendant appealed against the quantum of damages. Held: Damages for nervous … Continue reading Vernon v Bosley (2): CA 29 Mar 1996
The bond between natural parents and their children is a strong indicator of the existence of family life: ‘from the moment of the child’s birth and by the very fact of it, there exists between him and his parents a bond amounting to ‘family life’, which subsequent events cannot break save in exceptional circumstances’. Citations: … Continue reading Ahmut v The Netherlands: ECHR 28 Nov 1996
The parents were suspected of causing the child non-accidental injury. The court wanted a residential assessment of the family, but the local authority refused, saying it would be too expensive, and would expose the child to continuing risk. The judge made an interim care order and gave an order for a residential assessment. The parents … Continue reading In Re C (A Minor) (Interim Care Order: Residential Assessment): HL 29 Nov 1996
The applicant had been refused accomodation as homeless after disclosing the ownership of a family home in Uganda. He had lived and worked in the UK for 15 years. The authority did not accept that it had later been repossessed. The council now appealed against a finding to the contrary, saying that, per Osmani, to … Continue reading Waltham Forest v Maloba, The Law Society: CA 4 Dec 2007
Millett LJ discussed the assertion of a vendor’s lien where a third party would be adversely affected: ‘A party with an equitable charge can be taken to agree to the postponement of his property against any party who was allowed to his knowledge to purchase the land on the faith that it is unencumbered.’ and … Continue reading Barclays Bank Plc v Estates and Commercial Limited: CA 20 Feb 1996
The court considered a fear of persecution as founding a claim for asylum where a family member attracts the adverse attention of the authorities, whether for non-Convention reasons or reasons unknown, and persecutory treatment is then directed to other family members. Held: ‘his family may form a particular social group within the meaning of the … Continue reading Regina v Immigration Appeal Tribunal ex parte De Melo and ex parte De Araujo: Admn 19 Jul 1996
ECJ By making the grant of tideover allowances to young people seeking their first employment subject to the requirement of having completed their secondary education in an establishment subsidized or approved by it, a Member State imposes a condition which is likely to be more easily fulfilled by the children of its own nationals than … Continue reading Commission v Belgium: ECJ 12 Sep 1996
The bank sought to enforce a guarantee against the estate of the deceased guarantor. The executors alleged undue influence. The bank appealed. Held: Where the other contracting party had had actual knowledge of the undue influence or misrepresentation the victim might not be held to the contract. Citations: [1996] EWCA Civ 558, [1997] 1 WLR … Continue reading Banco Exterior Internacional SA (Formerly Banco Exterior – UK a Limited Liability Company Incorporated Under the Laws of Spain) v Thomas and Barry the Executors of Patricia Dempsey: CA 31 Jul 1996
Destitute asylum seekers who were not entitled to welfare benefits could be in need of care and attention within the meaning of section 21 of the 1948 Act although they were no longer entitled to housing assistance or other social security benefits such as income support. The Act should be read so as to disallow … Continue reading Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, ex parte M; Regina v Similar Ex Parte P etc: QBD 8 Oct 1996
The right of a prisoner to provide a recorded message for a radio station could properly be curtailed. Citations: Unreported 15 February 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department Ex Parte Hickey and Others, Same Ex Parte Bamber; Same Ex Parte Malone (No 2) QBD … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department, Ex Parte Bamber: CA 15 Feb 1996
A full restriction on the use of material emanating from a prison visit was unlawful as an interference with the right of free speech of the prisoner: ‘The blanket prohibition on making use of material obtained in a visit is not, on the evidence before me, therefore justified as the minimum interference necessary with the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Ian Simms and Michael Alan Mark O’Brien: QBD 19 Dec 1996
Judges: His Honour Judge Willans Citations: [2022] EWFC B14 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Children Updated: 30 April 2022; Ref: scu.675553
‘The fact, if it be so, that evidence so obtained may be used in other proceedings and indeed may be central in those proceedings is no reason for refusing to allow it to be requested’ Lord Fraser said: ‘in judging the nature of the letters rogatory as a whole in the court must look at … Continue reading In re Westinghouse Uranium Contract: HL 1978
The direction deals with the circumstances in which the officer who makes an arrest in family proceedings for the breach of a non-molestation or similar order should be asked to attend court personally on the hearing regarding that breach. Unless the circumstances of the arrest itself appeared to be an issue, or unless the officer … Continue reading Practice Direction (Arresting Officer: Attendance): FD 19 Jan 2000
Peter Jackson J [2014] EWFC 48, [2015] 1 WLR 2743, [2015] Fam Law 264, [2015] 2 FLR 1005 Bailii Family Law Act 1996 England and Wales Family Updated: 12 January 2022; Ref: scu.561194
The applicant was a Turkish national resident in Austria. While working there he had paid unemployment insurance contributions. At a stage when he was unemployed he applied for an advance on his pension in the form of emergency assistance. That was available under the material Austrian legislation, but one of the conditions was that the … Continue reading Gaygusuz v Austria: ECHR 16 Sep 1996
(Ontario – Superior Court of Justice) APPEAL – Grounds – Factual findings by trial judge – Deference to trial judge’s factual determinations and findings – Where trial judge has had chance to observe witnesses while testifying and to draw conclusions about credibility, appeal court should not interfere in those factual findings, especially in child custody … Continue reading Snetzko v Snetzko: 27 Jun 1996
A baby boy who was 18 months old, suffered from a life-threatening liver defect. His parents were health-care professionals experienced in the care of sick children. The unanimous medical view was that as soon as donor liver became available the baby should undergo surgery. The prospects of success were good whilst without transplantation the expectation … Continue reading In Re T (A Minor) (Wardship: Medical Treatment): CA 24 Oct 1996
The plaintiff, a woman and her husband, had passed on information in confidence to the police about the identity of a person implicated in the killing of a police officer, expressing her concern that she did not want the source of the information to be traced back to her. The information was recorded, naming the … Continue reading Swinney and Another v Chief Constable of Northumbria: CA 22 Mar 1996
(Grand Chamber) The subsequent use against a defendant in a prosecution, of evidence which had been obtained under compulsion in company insolvency procedures was a convention breach of Art 6. Although not specifically mentioned in Article 6 of the Convention the right to silence and the right not to incriminate oneself are generally recognised international … Continue reading Saunders v The United Kingdom: ECHR 17 Dec 1996
The court said that the representation of a litigant in person by a charging non-professional must be only exceptional. Lord Woolf MR, Waite, Waller LJJ Times 01-Jan-1997, [1997] 1 FLR 724, [1996] EWCA Civ 1341, [1997] Fam Law 403, [1997] 2 FCR 217 Bailii Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 17 18 28 England and … Continue reading D v S (Rights of Audience); In re and Application by Dr Pelling: CA 18 Dec 1996
The applicants, parents of more than 800 Francophone children, living in certain (mostly Dutch-speaking) parts of Belgium, complained that their children were denied access to an education in French. Held: In establishing a system or regime to comply with a Convention obligation, a State may include within the system elements that are not strictly required … Continue reading Relating to certain aspects of the laws on the use of languages in education in Belgium (Belgian Linguistics) No 2: ECHR 9 Feb 1967
Proper Reply Opportunity Required on Deportation (Grand Chamber) The claimant was an Indian citizen who had been granted indefinite leave to remain in this country but whose activities as a Sikh separatist brought him to the notice of the authorities both in India and here. The Home Secretary of the day decided that he should … Continue reading Chahal v The United Kingdom: ECHR 15 Nov 1996
Simple interest only on rate swap damages The bank had paid money to the local authority under a contract which turned out to be ultra vires and void. The question was whether, in addition to ordering the repayment of the money to the bank on unjust enrichment principles, the court could also award compound interest. … Continue reading Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale v Islington London Borough Council: HL 22 May 1996
On an application for a care order the judge found there was a real possibility that sexual abuse had occurred but the evidence was not sufficient to prove the allegations to the requisite standard. The threshold criteria were met on another ground. The children had suffered emotional harm at the hands of the mother and … Continue reading In re M and R (Child abuse: Expert Evidence): CA 21 May 1996
The patient suffered from irreversible damage to the cerebral cortex and fell into a persistent vegetative state in 1992. Permanently insensate, she remained alive only because feeding and hydration were provided to her artificially and because of . .
The burden of proof which falls on a disappointed beneficiary who seeks rectification of the will, saying that the will did not give effect to a testator’s intentions, is an exacting one.
Chadwick J said: ‘Although the standard of proof . .
A Tunisian national lived in France. In his youth. He was deported after being convicted of a number of serious criminal offences. He returned illegally and formed a relationship with a French national whose child he acknowledged to be his. He . .
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Our law-index is a substantial selection from our database. Cases here are restricted in number by date and lack the additional facilities formerly available within lawindexpro. Please do enjoy this free version of the lawindex. Case law does not ‘belong’ to lawyers. Judgments are made up of words which can be read and understood (if … Continue reading law index
Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 1250 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family, Contempt of Court Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.270412
The appellant challenged findings that he had broken a non-molestation order. He said that the order had been obtained by means whch were procedurally defective. The original order had been made without notice, and with a power of arrest attached. He had later been arrested for contempt and had sought legal representation, but without success, … Continue reading Devjee v Patel: CA 18 Aug 2006
Appeal against committal order. Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 896 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Part 4 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Contempt of Court Updated: 26 November 2022; Ref: scu.259314
Appeal from conviction of breach of non-molestation order – burden of proof. Citations: [2010] EWCA Crim 835 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 42A(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 25 November 2022; Ref: scu.408824
Power to attach power of arrest when claimant under 18. Citations: [2000] EWCA Civ 414 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Part IV Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 23 November 2022; Ref: scu.221691
Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 1808 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Part 4 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family, Contempt of Court Updated: 10 November 2022; Ref: scu.217813
Application under Part 4A of the Family Law Act 1996 for forced marriage protection orders. Judges: Baker J Citations: [2012] EWHC 435 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 01 November 2022; Ref: scu.460512
Judges: Sir Andrew McFarlane P Citations: [2020] EWCA Civ 190 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 63A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 22 October 2022; Ref: scu.648256
Judges: Smith LJ, Wall LJ Citations: [2005] EWCA Civ 752 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Part IV Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 11 September 2022; Ref: scu.227084
The claimant sought to assert her interest in a house purchased by a company in debt to the respondent for whom she had worked and with whom she had had a relationship. The company was insolvent. She claimed he had promised her a house, and that it had been purchased under that promise, and that … Continue reading Chan, Chun v Leung, Ho: CA 29 Jul 2002
Application made by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for a forced marriage protection order pursuant to Part 4A of the Family Law Act 1996 Judges: Holman J Citations: [2019] EWHC 1868 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 17 July 2022; Ref: scu.639774
Judges: Hayden J Citations: [2015] EWHC 3534 (Fam), [2016] 1 FCR 461, [2017] 4 WLR 61, [2017] 1 FLR 141, [2016] Fam Law 276 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 28 June 2022; Ref: scu.558995
Save in cases involving children and ancillary and other situations requiring it, cases in the family division were not inherently private. The appellant failed to obtain an order that details of an action under the section should not be disclosed by the media. Held: The description of the law at first instance was too wide … Continue reading Allan v Clibbery (1): CA 30 Jan 2002
The court considered the proper order for a transfer of a property held under a joint tenancy following a divorce. Held: The court must have regard to all the circumstances of the case, and the judge had to make a fair and balanced decision. His discretion could not be limited to exclude consideration of the … Continue reading Lake v Lake: CA 20 Jul 2006
The publication of allegations of previous misconduct was not capable of constituting molestation justifying a court order. Citations: Times 16-Dec-1997, Gazette 10-Dec-1997 Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 42 Family Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.78805
The appellant had broken two court orders, and appealed a sentence of two months imprisonment. He had been held on remand for 28 days before the court hearing. Held: The judge should have given allowance for the time spent in custody already. In contempt cases such time would not be deducted automatically, and therefore the … Continue reading Sevketoglu v Sevketoglu: CA 21 Aug 2003
There was no power to enforce an order made under the Act, when making an occupation order, which included orders for the payment of rent, and other outgoings. Such orders did not come within the exceptions under the Debtors Act, nor under the Administration of Justice Act to allow for enforcement by committal, and the … Continue reading Nwogbe v Nwogbe: CA 11 Jul 2000
When attaching a power of arrest on a non-molestation order the court should consider attaching it only to that element which restricts violence or proximity rather than to any part relating to harassment. When considering sentence for a breach, the court should consider the full circumstances, including any mitigation, and its full range of powers, … Continue reading Hale v Tanner: CA 22 Aug 2000
The issue of whether a respondent to a non-molestation order application was an associated person, was to be construed purposively. The system was designed to afford a swift and accessible procedure. There had been present three of the admirable Crake signposts of co-habitation, a sexual relationship, financial support, and a respondent’s admissions against interest. If … Continue reading G v F (Non-Molestation Order: Jurisdiction): CA 22 Jun 2000
The defendant appealed against his conviction for breach of a non-molestation order. He said that the prosecutor should have had the burden of proving that he had no lawful excuse for the acts complained of. He was said to have gone to the complainant’s offices to make telephone calls in breach of the order. He … Continue reading Regina v Richards: CACD 10 Mar 2010
The respondent was a minor who had been violent within the family. He had been ordered to leave the family home, and a power of arrest had been attached. He argued that this could not apply because he was a minor. The fact that he could not be imprisoned for contempt, did not reduce the … Continue reading H v H (A Child) (Occupation Order: Power of Arrest): CA 10 Jan 2001
Citations: [2018] EWCA Civ 1137 Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing, Torts – Other Updated: 22 April 2022; Ref: scu.616335
Appeal from refusal of the Judge to discharge a non-molestation order Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Cobb Citations: [2020] EWHC 1805 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 42 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family Updated: 09 February 2022; Ref: scu.655275
Prosecutor’s appeal from dismissal of allegation of breach of non-molestation order. Judges: Cranston J Citations: [2016] EWHC 1751 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Family Law Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime, Family Updated: 28 January 2022; Ref: scu.573370
Appellant’s appeal against an occupation order under section 33 Family Law act 1996 Mr Justice Williams [2021] EWHC 812 (Fam) Bailii Family Law act 1996 33 England and Wales Family Updated: 14 January 2022; Ref: scu.663790
The court was asked whether a police force can apply for committal for alleged breach of a forced marriage protection order made under Part 4A of the Family Law Act 1996 when the police were not the applicants who had obtained the relevant order. Held: That the police force could not; it lacked standing to … Continue reading Bedfordshire Police Constabulary v RU and Another: FD 26 Jul 2013
LRA Family Law Act 1996 – home rights notice – meaning and effect of ‘intention’ in statute – Applicant’s evidence – property never occupied as a matrimonial home – whether husband ever had entitlement to occupy by virtue of a beneficial estate or interest or application – application opposed by Applicant’s husband’s trustee in bankruptcy … Continue reading Ellis-Carr v Levy (Home Rights : Requirements To Establish Interest): LRA 19 Nov 2013
The Solicitor General sought the committal of the respondent for alleged contempt of court. There had been repeated litigation between the respondent and her former husband as to whether the children should live in Spain with the father or in Wales with the mother. An order, with penal notice attached requiring the respondent to return … Continue reading Jones, Re (Alleged Contempt of Court): FD 21 Aug 2013
The married couple owned a property as tenants in common. The husband had moved out and, anticipating divorce proceedings, sought an order for the sale of the house citing his inability to sustain the very considerable mortgage payments. The wife said that it was inappropriate to use the 1996 Act when divorce proceedings were anticipated. … Continue reading Miller Smith v Miller Smith: CA 2 Dec 2009
The parties, from Germany and France married and lived at first in England. They had signed a pre-nuptial agreement in Germany which would have been valid in either country of origin. H now appealed against a judgment which bound him to it, restricting his ancillary relief. Held: H’s appeal failed (Lady Hale dissenting). Separation agreements … Continue reading Radmacher (Formerly Granatino) v Granatino: SC 20 Oct 2010
The mother appealed against a sentence of eight months imprisonment imposed for contempt of court in having broken an order intended to protect the child against being removed to Nigeria with a view to forcing him into a marriage. On complaint of a breach, she had undertaken to write letters which would secure his return. … Continue reading Erhire v E O-I (by his next friend): CA 24 Mar 2011
The wife had registered her right of occupation under the 1996 Act, but the husband sold the house subject to the registered right, and the purchaser had charged the property. She now sought an order restricting the use of the proceeds of sale, and challenged the new mortgage. Held: The wife’s appeal failed. The subsection … Continue reading Ansari v Ansari and others: CA 19 Dec 2008
The court was asked whether it had jurisdiction to hear applications with regard to a child removed from Scotland. The father lived in Scotland, and the mother and child in England. The child had been habitually resident in Scotland and removed to . .
A court asked to sentence for contempt of court is not sentencing for the criminal equivalent of what the contemnor has done, and ‘Great care must be taken, if there are concurrent criminal or civil proceedings, to ensure that sentences in two or . .
The respondent had been sentenced to two months imprisonment for breaches of orders under the Act. The wife appealed, seeking to increase the sentence. The maximum sentence was two years.
Held: The court had to consider such cases in the light . .
Parties challenged the rule allowing the respondent to deny the right to enter or remain here to non EU citizens marrying a person settled and present here where either party was under the age of 21. The aim of the rule was to deter forced . .
Consequential order made on Forced Marriage injunction application. . .
The court considered an application for a forced marriage protection order.
Held: Singer J said that the court’s inherent jurisdiction is ‘sufficiently flexible . . to evolve in accordance with social needs and social values.’ . .
The ability for a court to order the transfer of a secure tenancy between partners under the Act depended upon the court first making an occupation order in favour of the party from whom the tenancy was to be transferred, but the order could be made . .
The applicants sought asylum. Their child had a right of residence as a European citizen. Held: The applicants could not rely upon their child’s right of residence to establish one for themselves. Judges: Lord Justice Keene Lord Justice May Lord Justice Wall Citations: Times 07-Jun-2006, [2006] EWCA Civ 484 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading Ali v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 3 May 2006
A female tenant endured six years of misery caused by cockroaches, described as a quite appalling infestation for which she was in no way responsible. Held: The court was not satisfied that the dismissal of the tenant’s claim was the right result which the law ought to reach and that the tenant ought to have … Continue reading Habinteg Housing Association v Jones: CA 1995
The court considered the powers of the court in care proceedings where it did not approve the authority’s proposed care plan. The judge had made supervision orders in relation to both children coupled with an injunction restraining the mother from removing the children from the foster home in which the local authority had placed them. … Continue reading Re S and D (Child Care Powers of the Court ): CA 1995
The parties, an unmarried cohabiting couple, disputed their respective shares in a property held in the man’s sole name. Both had made direct contributions both to the purchase of a barn and to its expensive conversion into a home. The plaintiff appealed against a finding that she had only a 14.9% interest on a resulting … Continue reading Drake v Whipp: CA 30 Nov 1995
The defendant had charged his property to the Halifax. Abbey supplied funds to secure its discharge, but its own charge was not registered. It sought to take advantage of the Halifax’s charge which had still not been removed. Held: A mortgagee whose loan is used to repay another charged debt is subrogated to that debt, … Continue reading Boscawen and Others v Bajwa and Others; Abbey National Plc v Boscawen and Others: CA 10 Apr 1995
ECHR Article 8Positive obligationsArticle 8-1Respect for family lifeRespect for private lifeLack of adequate legal protection in a case concerning a mother’s committal to a psychiatric institution and the placement of her children in care: violationsFacts – The applicant was assisted by the social services from 1996 onwards, having been classified as a disabled person unfit … Continue reading B v Romania (No 2): ECHR 19 Feb 2013
The wife and her second husband occupied a property in the joint names of herself and of her first husband, who, following their divorce, had applied under the Act of 1973 for a lump sum order reflective of his equal beneficial interest in it to be made against her. Following her remarriage the wife countered … Continue reading Tee v Tee, John Arthur Hillman Co: CA 22 Mar 1999
The deceased’s adult son sought provision from the intestate estate. The sole beneficiary under the rules was the plaintiff’s mother. The estate was modest; the intestate’s interest in his house (he had been living there with the plaintiff). The widow was found to have a one third interest in it. The judge took the disposable … Continue reading In Re Coventry (deceased): CA 3 Jan 1979
The court had to answer the question of whether the Pensions Ombudsman could make orders which the court could not. Held: It could not, Knox J said: ‘there is a real distinction between ordering compensation for inconvenience and distress caused by maladministration as an adjunct to the power to remedy injustice caused by maladministration which … Continue reading Hillsdown Holdings plc v Pensions Ombudsman: 1997
The claimant sought provision under the 1975 Act from the estate of his deceased wife. Judges: Behrens J Citations: [2008] WTLR 1675, [2008] Fam Law 844, [2008] EWHC 810 (Ch), [2009] 1 FLR 747, [2009] 2 FCR 631 Links: Bailii Statutes: Inheritance (Provision For Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited … Continue reading Barron v Woodhead and Another: ChD 25 Jun 2008
(Consistory Court of London) Sir William Scott considered the notion of marriage: ‘The opinions which have divided the world, or writers at least, on this subject, are, generally, two. It is held by some persons that marriage is a contract merely civil – by others, that it is a sacred, religious, and spiritual contract, and … Continue reading Lindo, By Her Guardian v Belisario: 5 Jun 1795
If accommodation is not reasonable for a person to occupy, it is not suitable for him. Arden LJ said: ‘homelessness is a large social problem directly and substantially affecting the lives of many people in the UK, and those who depend on them, including young children. The causes are no doubt manifold: they include not … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Aweys and others: CA 7 Feb 2008
The plaintiff sought damages for the negligence of the respondent in her care at birth. Years later the family concluded that her condition was a result of negligence. They waited until she was 21, when they mistakenly believed that she became an adult, and made a claim. Held: The defendant’s appeal succeeded. The court had … Continue reading O’Driscoll v Dudley Health Authority: CA 30 Apr 1998
The claimant sought damages. The respondent had acted as an adoption agency but had failed to disclose all relevant information about the child. Held: Any such duty extended only during the period where the child was with the prospective adopters pending their decision on adoption. Hale LJ: ‘Whenever the question of a common law duty … Continue reading A and Another v Essex County Council: CA 17 Dec 2003
Where communications had been intercepted in a foreign country, and the manner of such interceptions had been lawful in that country, the evidence produced was admissible in evidence in a trial in England. An admission of such evidence was not an infringement of the rights to a fair trial, nor of the right to respect … Continue reading Regina v P and others: HL 19 Dec 2000
The claimant appealed an order that a house was to be held in equal shares with her son. The house was registered in their joint names, but the transfer contained no declaration of the interests. The house had been originally bought by the mother and father and the son whose name was put on the … Continue reading Crossley v Crossley: CA 21 Dec 2005
The claimant asylum seeker had been refused benefits having failed to declare his application on entry. The Secretary now appealed a finding that the decision was flawed. Was the treatment of the applicant inhuman or degrading? Held: No simple test could be laid down, and each case is to be considered individually. The appeal court, … Continue reading Regina (T) v the Secretary of State for the Home Department; similar: CA 23 Sep 2003
Sir Mark Potter gave guidance on the acceptance of McKenzie Friends as advocates: ‘A court may grant an unqualified person a right of audience in exceptional circumstances only and only after careful consideration (D v S (Rights of Audience) [1997] 1 FLR 724, Milne v Kennedy and Others [1999] TLR 106, Paragon Finance PLC v … Continue reading Guidance (McKenzie Friends): 2005
The claimant’s son had died of hyperthermia whilst serving in the army in Iraq. The parties requested a new inquisition after the coroner had rules that human rights law did not apply to servicemen serving outside Europe. Reports had been prepared but were not disclosed to the coroner until the last day of the inquest … Continue reading Smith v The Assistant Deputy Coroner for Oxfordshire: Admn 11 Apr 2008