ECHR Article 9-1Manifest religion or beliefConfiscation of cassette player used by prisoner to listen to religious tapes: inadmissibleFacts – The applicant, who was of Baptist confession, was serving a lengthy prison sentence. After reacting to the confiscation of a small radio-cassette player he had received after obtaining good results on a ‘Christian moral education’ programme, … Continue reading Austrianu v Romania: ECHR 12 Feb 2013
The plaintiffs appealed against refusal of orders striking out the defences of justification to their libel action. Held: The words complained of bore an accusation of money laundering. A plea of justification based upon a reasonable belief in the claimant’s criminality, could not be established by simply stating that publication had been a repetition of … Continue reading Shah and Another v Standard Chartered Bank: CA 2 Apr 1998
ECHR Article 10-1Freedom to impart informationCriminal conviction for making public irregular telephone tapping procedures: violationFacts – The first applicant worked in the telephone communications surveillance and recording department of a military unit of the Romanian Intelligence Service (RIS). In the course of his work he came across a number of irregularities. In addition, the telephones … Continue reading Bucur And Toma v Romania: ECHR 8 Jan 2013
ECHR Article 3Degrading treatmentStructural problems resulting in prisoner suffering from mental disorders being held for more than fifteen years in prison psychiatric wing with no hope of change or appropriate medical care: violationFacts – In February 1978 a Criminal Court judgment ruled that the applicant, who had raped his underage sisters, was not criminally responsible … Continue reading Claes v Belgium: ECHR 10 Jan 2013
The court was asked as to the extent of the Secretary of State’s discretion and obligation to consider a person’s Article 6 rights when requested personally to serve a judgment of an overseas court pursuant to a request for mutual legal assistance from the government of the country of that overseas court. The Claimant said … Continue reading Ismail v Secretary of State for Home Department: Admn 26 Mar 2013
A had pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk in a public place, while having the charge of a child under the age of 7 years, contrary to section 2(1) of the Licensing Act 1902. The child in question was A’s daughter, to whom I shall refer as B. B was 2 and a … Continue reading A, Regina (on The Application of) v Lowestoft Magistrates’ Court: Admn 26 Mar 2013
The claimants sought damages for the actions of undercover police officers engaging in sexual activity as part of the investigation. The court now considered the role of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal in dealing with such claims. Held: Such activity fell within ‘personal or other relationship with a person’ for the purposes of section 26(8) of … Continue reading AKJ and Others v Commissioner of Police for The Metroplis and Others: QBD 17 Jan 2013
Maurice Kay VP began: ‘It is well-known that asylum applications, even when made promptly on arrival in this country, can take months or even years before final determination through the decision-making and appellate process. This causes familiar problems. Applicants require support and accommodation for substantial periods of time. When the time is particularly prolonged, features … Continue reading Negassi and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: CA 7 Mar 2013
UTIAC Since August 2009 UKBA has operated a policy relating to the processing and determination of applications under the Points Based System (‘PBS’). This was revised with effect from May 2011. In its policy letter of 19th May 2011, UKBA states that during an unspecified trial stage applicants will be contacted where mandatory evidence is … Continue reading Rodriguez (Flexibility Policy): UTIAC 31 Jan 2013
The Appellant has presented a claim in the Employment Tribunal in which she alleges that she was dismissed by the Respondent and that the dismissal amounted to sex discrimination and/or victimisation on the ground that she had done a protected act, contrary to the Equality Act 2010. She appeals against the Employment Tribunal’s refusal to … Continue reading Steer v Stormsure Ltd (Sex Discrimination, Human Rights): EAT 21 Dec 2020
The nature of the Secretary of State’s objections and a chance to reply are to be given if the Secretary intends to deny an application for naturalisation. Administrative convenience cannot justify unfairness. The court deprecated ‘fishing expeditons’ by those seeking a judicial review.Woolf LJ MR said: ‘on an application for judicial review there is usually … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Fayed: CA 13 Nov 1996
Employees claimed religious objections to being obliged to members of a Trades Union. Held: It is the obligation of states which have ratified the Convention to secure to everyone within their jurisdiction the rights and freedoms which it protects. Judges: Wiarda P Citations: 7806/77, 7601/76, (1981) 4 EHRR 38, [1981] ECHR 4 Links: Worldlii, Bailii … Continue reading Young, James and Webster v The United Kingdom: ECHR 13 Aug 1981
UTIAC 1) Whilst section 2 of the Human Rights Act 1998 and its associated case law requires United Kingdom tribunals in general to give effect to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, including that Court’s guidance on how to approach evidence in international protection cases, the weighing of evidence and the drawing … Continue reading AMM and Others (Conflict; Humanitarian Crisis; Returnees; FGM) Somalia CG: UTIAC 28 Nov 2011
The defendant had published a set of guidelines for intelligence officers called upon to detain and interrogate suspects. The defendant said that the guidelines could only be tested against individual real life cases, and that the court should not answer hypothetical questions. The objection lay to reactions to anticipated torture and mistreatment by third party … Continue reading Equality and Human Rights Commission v Prime Minister and Others: Admn 3 Oct 2011
Judges: Laws, Moore-Bick, Beatson LJJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 697, [2014] 1 WLR 179, [2013] WLR(D) 289 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, Human Rights Act 1998, Sexual Offences Act 2003 82(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing, Human Rights Updated: 10 September 2022; Ref: scu.510907
The Court was asked whether it would be compatible with the appellant’s Convention rights within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998 for the appellant, who is an Albanian national, to be extradited to Albania. On 7 April 2001, while he was in the United Kingdom as an illegal immigrant, another Albanian national named … Continue reading Kapri v The Lord Advocate (Representing The Government of The Republic of Albania): SC 10 Jul 2013
Citations: [1997] EWHC Admin 490 Links: Bailii Statutes: Extradition Act 1989 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Launder Admn 6-Aug-1996 The exercise of a discretion on extradition is judicially reviewable in the same way as are other decisions. . . See Also – … Continue reading In the Matter of Launder In the Matter of Extradition Act 1989 In the Matter of an Application for Bail: Admn 21 May 1997
ECHR Judgment (Merits and Just Satisfaction) – Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses – claim rejected; Violation of Art. 5-3. Citations: 21380/93, [1998] ECHR 88, 21381/93 Links: Woldlii, Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 23 July 2022; … Continue reading Demir and Others v Turkey: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
Appeal, under section 103 from the decision to send the matter to the Secretary of State for Home Affairs to consider extraditing Zeqaj to Albania to serve a sentence of 23 years in connection with murder and firearms offences. Judges: Gross LJ, Gloster DBE J Citations: [2013] EWHC 261 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Extradition Act … Continue reading Zeqaj v Government of Albania: Admn 20 Feb 2013
The claimants challenged the benefits cap introduced under the 2012 Act, saying that it was discriminatory, affecting more women than men. Mr Eadie QC submitted on behalf of the Secretary of State that, as ‘an international instrument with no binding effect in English law’, the Convention had no bearing on the case. Held: That suggestion … Continue reading JS and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Others: QBD 5 Nov 2013
Laws LJ’s observed that for a claim under article 8 of the ECHR to prevail, it must be ‘a very strong claim indeed’ Judges: Laws, Black LJJ, Mann J Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 550, [2013] WLR(D) 192, [2013] Imm AR 1106, [2014] 1 WLR 998 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Human Rights Act 1998 Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading SS (Nigeria) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: CA 22 May 2013
The several applicants had been arrested in different circumstances and each charged with breach of the peace contrary to common law. Under the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980, the court can bind over a Defendant to keep the peace, if the Defendant consents, and impose a sentence of up to 6 months’ imprisonment if the Defendant … Continue reading Steel and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 5-3; No violation of Art. 6-1; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1998] ECHR 89, 28213/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 18 July 2022; Ref: scu.165661
PROCEDURE – hearing in public or private – VAT Tribunals Rules 1986 r 24(1) – assessment to recover allegedly over-claimed input tax – VATA 1994 ss 25, 26, VAT Regs 1995, reg 29, Sixth Directive art 18 – Human Rights Convention arts 6 and 8 – appellant a sole practitioner solicitor – application for hearing … Continue reading A Practitioner v Customs and Excise: VDT 12 Dec 2003
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 6-1; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1998] ECHR 99, 28194/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 13 … Continue reading Castillo Algar v Spain: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
(Northern Ireland) Children had been taken to school in the face of vehement protests from Loyalists. The parents complained that the police had failed to protect them properly, since the behaviour was so bad as to amount to inhuman or degrading treatment, and that the police had given undue weight to the right to demonstrate. … Continue reading Re E (A Child); E v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Another (Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and others intervening): HL 12 Nov 2008
ECHR Inadmissibility, for being out of time, of reposicion application against court decision whereby a settlement agreement which the applicant had sought to enforce had been declared voidIn a dispute between the applicant and a neighbour concerning the latter’s view over the applicants property a settlement agreement was concluded between the parties. However, the time-limit … Continue reading Perez De Rada Cavanilles v Spain: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
(Northern Ireland) The applicant sought judicial review of a decision not to disclose documents held by the respondent to him saying that the refusal was disproportionate and infringed his human rights. The respondents said that the documents were provided on an assurance of confidentiality. Held: Disclosure rules are different in judicial review proceedings since such … Continue reading Tweed v Parades Commission for Northern Ireland: HL 13 Dec 2006
ECHR Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) – Preliminary objection rejected; Violation of Art. 3; Not necessary to examine Art. 2; Not necessary to examine Art. 5-1; Violation of Art. 8; Violation of P1-1; Not necessary to examine Art. 6-1; Violation of Art. 13; No violation of Art. 14; No violation of Art. 18; Pecuniary damage … Continue reading Selauk and Asker v Turkey: ECHR 24 Apr 1998
The patient did not wish her nearest relative, namely her sister, to be involved with her case and there was evidence that she would be so distressed by the sister being consulted that it could harm her health. The sister likewise did not wish to become involved. Held: When an adult whose mental health is … Continue reading E, Regina (on the Application of) v Bristol City Council: Admn 13 Jan 2005
The applicant was a foreign national serving a long-term prison sentence. He complained that UK nationals would have had their case referred to the parole board before his. Held: The right to be referred to the parole board was a statutory right, which was not the same as an article 3 right to liberty and … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v Hindawi and Headley: CA 13 Oct 2004
The complainant requested information about the London Borough of Tower Hamlet’s responsibility for ensuring the protection of rights under the Human Rights Act 1998 is afforded to those nominated for tenancies. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (the ‘Council’) said that it did not hold any information that would answer the request. The Information Commissioner … Continue reading Tower Hamlets Council (Decision Notice): ICO 11 Apr 2013
The appellants appealed their convictions on two grounds. First the judge who had heard the case was an acquaintance of the chief constable of the investigating force, and second evidence had been admitted of tape recordings of non-privileged conversations between defendants whilst in the police station. The Chief Constable had authorised the covert operation, and … Continue reading Mason, Wood, McClelland, Tierney v Regina: CACD 13 Feb 2002
This case raises, among other matters, an issue about whether reasons for a restricted patient’s recall to detention in a hospital have to be provided orally or in writing. Judges: Dingemans Citations: [2013] EWHC 1784 (Admin), [2015] 2 WLR 256, [2015] 1 QB 385 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 42(3), Human Rights Act … Continue reading Lee-Hirons, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice and Another: Admn 28 Jun 2013
The claimant had sought to amend her claim for damages for personal injuries. The application had been rejected as introducing a claim not based on the same facts. She had suffered severe head injuries, and had no memory of the accident. She served a statement of claim based upon the defendant’s statement. The defendants defence … Continue reading Goode v Martin: CA 13 Dec 2001
The claimant, who was disabled, said that his Article 8 rights were infringed because, in breach of Italian law, there were no facilities to enable him to get to the sea when he went on holiday. Held: ‘Private life . . includes a person’s physical and psychological integrity; the guarantee afforded by Article 8 of … Continue reading Botta v Italy: ECHR 24 Feb 1998
The court had no jurisdiction to consider allegations not raised before the commission or predating a country’s accession to the convention. There was no breach in a failure to record an exposure to radiation in a test. Article 2 imposes substantive obligations not to take life without justification and to establish a framework of laws, … Continue reading LCB v The United Kingdom: ECHR 9 Jun 1998
Mr De Castro had been the target of an unwarranted, unauthorised, unsupervised police operation in which undercover officers incited him to supply drugs. He challenged a conviction for trafficking in heroin, based mainly on statements of two police officers. Held: The necessary inference from the circumstances was that these officers had ‘exercised an influence such … Continue reading Teixeira De Castro v Portugal: ECHR 9 Jun 1998
ECHR Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 6-1; Violation of P1-1; Not necessary to examine Art. 8; Not necessary to examine Art. 13; Pecuniary damage – financial award; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1998] … Continue reading Vasilescu v Romania: ECHR 22 May 1998
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (victim); Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); No violation of Art. 2; Violation of Art. 2 (effective investigation); Violation of Art. 13; Not necessary to examine Art. 10; Not necessary to examine Art. 14; Not necessary to examine Art. 18; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses … Continue reading Yasa v Turkey: ECHR 2 Sep 1998
(Antigua and Barbuda) The applicant was employed as a civil servant. He joined a demonstration alleging corruption in a minister. It was alleged he had infringed his duties as a civil servant, and he replied that the constitution allowed him to speak out. Held: The demonstration did contravene the restriction on publishing his views. Analogies … Continue reading De Freitas v The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Lands and Housing and others: PC 30 Jun 1998
A tenancy which had been terminated by a notice given by one of the joint tenants had expired. It did not come to an end by any deed, and so was not capable of being set aside by a family court in the course of divorce proceedings. The possession proceedings issued by the landlord could … Continue reading Newlon Housing Trust v Alsulaimen and Another: HL 29 Jul 1998
The applicants sought orders that their human rights had been infringed by the conditions of their detention at police stations. One asserted that he had not had opportunity to speak to his solicitor on the phone in private, and the other complained that the arrangements did not guarantee privacy. The court rejected the claims on … Continue reading Regina (M (a Minor)) v Commissioner of Police; Regina (La Rose) v Same: QBD 13 Jul 2001
The court was asked whether the processes by which the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions (SSETR) makes decisions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA) and orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 (TWA), the Highways Act 1980 (HA) and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 (ALA) … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes Plc) v Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and Regions; Regina (Premier Leisure UK Limited) v Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and Regions; Regina (Alconbury) etc: Admn 13 Dec 2000
It is not sufficient for an authority to discharge its duty under the Act by writing letters to those affected or potentially affected and offering them reassessment. Carnwath J said: ‘In some areas of the law that might be an adequate response, where those affected can be assumed to be capable of looking after their … Continue reading Regina v Gloucestershire County Council ex parte Radar: Admn 1998
Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 1056 Links: Bailii Statutes: Bail Act 1976 4(1) Human Rights, Criminal Practice Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.139177
Speciality protection requirement satisfied by undertaking for re-surrender given by Hong Kong Chief Executive, despite excess time on bail. For the purposes of a challenge to extradition under domestic law, an applicant for habeas corpus is to be treated as effectively in custody. Judges: Simon Brown LJ, Mance J Citations: Gazette 18-Mar-1998, [1998] EWHC Admin … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Launder: QBD 18 Mar 1998
The claimant sought judicial review of the decision made by TfL not to allow an advertisement on behalf of the Trust to appear on the outside of its buses. It was to read: ‘NOT GAY! EX-GAY, POST-GAY AND PROUD. GET OVER IT!’. The decision was said to be based on the resondent’s policies. The respondent … Continue reading Core Issues Trust v Transport for London: Admn 22 Mar 2013
The mother had been given leave by the Recorder to remove a ten month old girl permanently from the jurisdiction to the United States in circumstances where the mother`s job prospects were better in New York than in England. The father, (in person) raised the question of a breach of his right under Article 8(1). … Continue reading In re A (permission to remove child from jurisdiction: human rights): CA 2000
A homosexual claimed that an award of custody of his daughter to her mother was an unjustified interference with his right to respect for family life, and also with his right to respect for his private life since he was required in respect of his right of access to his daughter to conceal from her … Continue reading Salgueiro da Silva Mouta v Portugal: ECHR 1 Dec 1998
It is within a nation’s margin of appreciation to refuse to re-register birth details of people who had undergone sex-changes. Similarly it was not a human rights infringement not to allow post operative trans-sexuals to marry. However the court was critical of the United Kingdom’s apparent failure to take any steps to keep this area … Continue reading Sheffield and Horsham v The United Kingdom: ECHR 30 Jul 1998
(Admissibility) The claimant was a prisoner who had been confined to her cell, unlawfully it was said, for some two hours. The evidence was that she was a heroin addict who objected to that restriction on her residual liberty. Held: ‘It is undisputed in the present case that Angela Bollan was lawfully detained in Corton … Continue reading Bollan v United Kingdom: ECHR 1998
The appellant sought exceptional leave to remain, having been refused asylum. Held: The issue concerned a Turkish citizen seeking asylum because he feared persecution if he was returned to Turkey, in being a Kurdish draft evader likely to be imprisoned and so subject to torture. ‘The authorities and Courts will view such claims with great … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Abdullah Turgut: Admn 22 May 1998
Housing benefit regulations had been found unlawful and were amended. The Court now considered what payments should have been made before the amendments came into effect. Held: The appeal was allowed, and RR’s housing benefit entitlement is to be recalculated without making the under-occupancy deduction of 14%. There is nothing unconstitutional about a public authority, … Continue reading RR v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 13 Nov 2019
Citations: (1998) 25 EHRR CD130, X Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – Wright and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health and Another HL 21-Jan-2009 The claimants had been provisionally listed as ‘people considered unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults’ which meant that they could no longer work, but … Continue reading Stefan v United Kingdom: ECHR 1998
The parents had married under shariah law. They left the US to return to the father’s home country Saudi Arabia. They parted, and the mother brought their son to England against the father’s wishes and in breach of an agreement. The father sought his summary return to Saudi Arabia, a non-Convention country. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Re J (A Child), Re (Child returned abroad: Convention Rights); (Custody Rights: Jurisdiction): HL 16 Jun 2005
The Court gave guidance setting out recommended practice regarding any application for interim injunctive relief in civil proceedings to restrain the publication of information (referred to as an interim non-disclosure order). In particular guidance was provided as to ‘the proper approach to the general principle of open justice in respect of such applications’. Applications which … Continue reading Practice Guidance (Interim Non-disclosure Orders): 1 Jul 2011
The claimant had been severely injured in an attack by a group of young men. He said that the defendant had failed in its duty to protect him and his family. He now appealed against the action being struck out. Held: the judge’s interpretation of the Article 2 duty falling in the police was too … Continue reading Sarjantson v Humberside Police: CA 18 Oct 2013
Police’s Complete Immunity was Too Wide (Grand Chamber) A male teacher developed an obsession with a male pupil. He changed his name by deed poll to the pupil’s surname. He was required to teach at another school. The pupil’s family’s property was subjected to numerous acts of vandalism, which the police investigated and in respect … Continue reading Osman v The United Kingdom: ECHR 28 Oct 1998
The claimant was detained in a secure Mental Hospital. He complained at the seclusions policy applied by the hospital, saying that it departed from the Guidance issued for such policies by the Secretary of State under the Act. Held: The House allowed the Hospital’s appeal. The policy was lawful. Seclusion was to be seen as … Continue reading Regina v Ashworth Hospital Authority (Now Mersey Care National Health Service Trust) ex parte Munjaz: HL 13 Oct 2005
The applicants were denied the earnings-related element of their pensions while they were in prison, pursuant to s.113(1)(d) of the 1992 Act which I have set out. They claimed violations both of Article 1P, and of Article 14 read with Article 1P. The Commission declared the complaints inadmissible. It held (referring to Gaygusuz) that the … Continue reading Szrabjer and Clarke v United Kingdom: ECHR 17 Jun 1998
The police were asked by shopkeepers concerned about shoplifting, for photographs of thieves so that the staff would recognise them. The police provided photographs including one of the claimant taken in custody. The traders were told only to show them to staff. Held: A duty of confidence could arise when the police photographed a suspect … Continue reading Hellewell v Chief Constable of Derbyshire: QBD 13 Jan 1995
Citations: [1998] ECHR 57 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Citing: See Also – Mentes and Others v Turkey ECHR 28-Nov-1997 ECHR Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Not necessary to examine Art. 5; Not necessary to examine Art. 6; Violation of Art. 13; No violation of Art. 14; No . . Lists … Continue reading Mentes and Others v Turkey: ECHR 24 Jul 1998
The applicant was refused a grant of parental leave allowance in 1989. At that time parental leave allowance was available only to mothers. The applicant complained that this violated article 14 taken together with article 8. Held: The application was dismissed. the court noted that, as society moved towards a more equal sharing of responsibilities … Continue reading Petrovic v Austria: ECHR 27 Mar 1998
The claimant, a radio presenter sought judicial review of the respondent’s finding (against the broadcaster) that a radio interview he had conducted breached the Broadcasting Code. He had strongly criticised a proposal to ban smokers from being foster parents, criticising the interviewee (author of the ban) as a Health Nazi, and otherwise insulting him. It … Continue reading Gaunt v OFCOM and Liberty: QBD 13 Jul 2010
The claimant had cared for his elderly mother who ‘shunned any type of ‘officialdom’ including doctors and home helps.’ However, the claimant so neglected her that she suffered severe bed sores which had become infected in consequence of her lying in her own excrement. The claimant had pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The court was asked … Continue reading Land v Land; In re Land, deceased: ChD 13 Jul 2006
Statutory right of appeal against decisions by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to refuse protection claims and human rights claims under Part 5 of the 2002 Act. Where a person has already had a human rights claim refused and there is no pending appeal, do further submissions that rely on human rights … Continue reading Robinson (Formerly JR (Jamaica)) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 13 Mar 2019
[1998] EWCA Civ 1116, [1999] Imm AR 176 Bailii England and Wales Cited by: Cited – BA (Nigeria) v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Others SC 26-Nov-2009 The court was asked whether the expression ‘an asylum claim, or a human rights claim’ in section 92(4)(a) of the 2002 Act includes any second … Continue reading Cakabay v Secretary of State for Home Department: CA 30 Jun 1998
Trial of the claim for damages by AXD (‘the Claimant’), a Somali refugee, for unlawful immigration detention, based on the common law tort of false imprisonment and the statutory tort under section 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 in respect of alleged breaches of Articles 3 and/or 8 of the ECHR. Jay J [2016] … Continue reading AXD v The Home Office: QBD 13 May 2016
ECHR Grand Chamber – Article 3 Inhuman treatment Positive obligations Alleged failure adequately to account for fate of Polish prisoners executed by Soviet secret police at Katyn in 1940: no violation Article 35 Article 35-3 Ratione temporis Court’s temporal jurisdiction in respect of deaths that occurred 58 years before the Convention entered into force in … Continue reading Janowiec And Others v Russia: ECHR 21 Oct 2013
A person detained as a person of unsound mind should not be kept in a prison, but if the institution concerned is within the appropriate category, there is no breach of Article 5. While measures depriving a person of his liberty often involve an element of suffering or humiliation, it cannot be said that detention … Continue reading Aerts v Belgium: ECHR 30 Jul 1998
Three claimants appealed against refusal of declarations that the response of the police to requests for Criminal Records Bureau enhanced checks, were a disproportionate interference in their right to private and family life, and in particular that the disclosure of old convictions infringed their human rights. Held: The appeals succeeded. The statutory system which required … Continue reading T, Regina (on The Application of) v Chief Constable of Greater Manchester and Others: CA 29 Jan 2013
The claimant challenged the decision that he should face trial on charges of historic sexual abuse. He was now elderly and said to be unfit to attend court or instruct his lawyers, suffering Alzheimers. He sought interim relief against being required to attend court. Held: Article 8 was engaged, but not article 3: ‘Article 8 … Continue reading Janner, Regina (on The Application of) v The Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 13 Aug 2015
ECHR (Grand Chamber) Article 10-1 Freedom of expression Refusal of permission for non-governmental organisation to place television advert owing to statutory prohibition of political advertising: no violation Facts – The Communications Act 2003 prohibits political advertising in television or radio services, the aim being to maintain impartiality in the broadcast media and to prevent powerful … Continue reading Animal Defenders International v The United Kingdom: ECHR 22 Apr 2013
The two applicants were serving life sentences for murder. Each sought damages for the unlawful withdrawal of their rights to vote in elections, and the failure of the British parliament to take steps to comply with the judgment. Held: The appeals failed.Lord Mance summarised the reasons for his conclusions: ‘(A) Human Rights Act In respect … Continue reading Chester, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 16 Oct 2013
The Court was asked: ‘As: (i) a public body with obligations in public law and (ii) a public authority under the Human Rights Act 1998 can the Secretary of State for Health ‘the S/S’ lawfully refuse to refer a patient’s case to the First-tier Mental Health Review Tribunal ‘MHRT’ under section 67(1) of the Mental … Continue reading Modaresi, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: SC 24 Jul 2013
The bank challenged measures taken by HM Treasury to restrict access to the United Kingdom’s financial markets by a major Iranian commercial bank, Bank Mellat, on the account of its alleged connection with Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The bank sought to have the direction given under section 7 of the 2008 Act. … Continue reading Bank Mellat v Her Majesty’s Treasury (No 2): SC 19 Jun 2013
The Court was asked whether the Investigatory Powers Tribunal had the power to investigate whether police officers acrting as undercover agents, and having sexual relations with those they were themselves investigating had infringed the human rights of those individuals. In each case the officer had deceived the people involved. Held: ‘ The phrase ‘personal or … Continue reading AJA and Others v Commissioner of Police for The Metropolis and Others: CA 5 Nov 2013
The appellant challenged an order suspending him from practice as a solicitor for two years. He had previous findings of professional misconduct in failing to pay counsels’ fees. In the course of later disciplinary proceedings he was found to have misled the court as to the circumstances of a tribunal hearing when obtaining a stay. … Continue reading Aaron v The Law Society (the Office of the Supervision of Solicitors): QBD 13 Oct 2003
Public Identification of Pedophiles by Police AB and CB had been released from prison after serving sentences for sexual assaults on children. They were thought still to be dangerous. They moved about the country to escape identification, and came to be staying on a campsite. The police sought to co-operate in the resettlement of the … Continue reading Regina v Chief Constable of North Wales Police and Others Ex Parte Thorpe and Another; Regina v Chief Constable for North Wales Police Area and others ex parte AB and CB: CA 18 Mar 1998
Legislation which disallowed claimants who asserted that they had been discriminated against, on the grounds of their religious background, from appealing through the courts system, was a clear breach of their human rights. A limitation will not be compatible with Article 6(1) if it does not pursue a legitimate aim and if there is not … Continue reading Tinnelly and Sons Ltd and Others and McElduff and Others v United Kingdom: ECHR 10 Jul 1998
Grand Chamber – Turkey – claims for just satisfaction in respect of Court’s finding, in principal judgment, of violation of Article 1 of Protocol No.1 to the Convention I. Entitlement to just satisfaction Court’s finding in principal judgment that denial of access to property in northern Cyprus was imputable to Turkey is res judicata – … Continue reading Loizidou v Turkey: ECHR 28 Jul 1998
ECHR Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 Positive obligations Inability to recover frozen foreign-currency savings following the dissolution of the former USSR: inadmissible Facts – During Soviet rule in Latvia, the applicants – a company and a natural person – held foreign-currency savings in the Latvian section of Vneshekonombank, a State bank, which was dealing … Continue reading Likvidejama P/S Selga And Others v Latvia (Dec): ECHR 1 Oct 2013
The Secretary of State appealed against the decision in favour of Ms Reilly and Mr Wilson, that the 2011 Regulations, made under section 17A of the 1995 Act, did not comply with the requirements of that section, and (ii) a cross-appeal brought by Miss Reilly and Mr Wilson against the Court of Appeal’s rejection of … Continue reading Reilly and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 30 Oct 2013
The claimant had applied for housing as a homeless person and was found temporary accomodation pending the respondent’s decision. When eventually the decision went against the claimant, the claimant argued that the authority was obliged to recover the licensed accomodation through court proceedings. Held: The appeal failed. Moses, Kitchin, Floyd LJJ [2013] EWCA Civ 805, … Continue reading ZH, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Newham: CA 11 Jul 2013
The claimants had applied for housing as homeless. They were given accommodation pending the authority’s final decisions. Those decisions were thet the claimants were homeless intentionally. The authoity’s set out to recover possession. The claimants said that under the 1977 Act, the authority was obliged first to obtain a court order. Held: The request for … Continue reading CN, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Lewisham: CA 11 Jul 2013
The court was asked as to the effect of a statutory provision stating that an appeal to the High Court from the Nursing and Midwifery Council ‘must be brought before the end’ of a specified period of 28 days. There was no express provision permitting the court to extend time. The issue was whether the … Continue reading Adesina and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v The Nursing and Midwifery Council: CA 9 Jul 2013
From 4 April 2005 until 3 December 2012, English law provided for the imposition of sentences of imprisonment for public protection (‘IPP’). The Court addressed the practical and legal issues resulting from the new system. Held: The decision as to whether to impose an IPP senence and whether a prisoner was ready for release on … Continue reading Sturnham, Regina (on The Application of) v The Parole Board of England and Wales and Another (No 2): SC 3 Jul 2013
ECHR Article 5-1-aAfter convictionApplicant’s continued placement in psychiatric hospital after expiry of his prison term: no violationFacts – In 1995 the applicant was convicted of homicide and sentenced to eight and a half years’ imprisonment and placement in a psychiatric hospital on grounds of diminished responsibility. In making the order for the applicant’s placement, the … Continue reading Radu v Germany (Legal Summary): ECHR 16 May 2013
Application for judicial review of a decision by the PSNI to release to local newspapers for publication images of persons suspected of being involved in sectarian rioting and violent offending at an interface area at Fountain Street/Bishop Street Londonderry in May, June and July 2010. The applicant, a child who was born in July 1996, … Continue reading JR 38, Re Judicial Review: QBNI 21 Mar 2013
The appellants had been convicted of murder, it being said that they had disposed of her body at sea. They now said that the delay between being first questioned and being charged infringed their rights to a trial within a reasonable time, and questioned whether they had has an impartial judge, he having also conducted … Continue reading O’Neill v Her Majesty’s Advocate No 2: SC 13 Jun 2013
The court was asked, whether asked to grant possession against a disabled tenant where the grounds for possession were mandatory. The defendant was a secure tenant with a history of psychiatric disability. He had set out to buy his flat, but the council sought possession when it discovered that he had sublet. Held: Section 23(3)(c) … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm and Disability Rights Commission: CA 25 Jul 2007
ECHR Article 6 Presumption of innocence Public accusation of murder made by chairman of independent political party in immediate aftermath of shooting: inadmissible Facts – In September 1998 a Member of Parliament and his bodyguards were shot and fatally wounded as they came out of the Democratic Party headquarters in Tirana. Immediately afterwards, the Party … Continue reading Mulosmani v Albania: ECHR 8 Oct 2013
The applicant had previously received licences to fish for Patagonian Toothfish off South Georgia. The defendant had instructed the issuer of the licence in such a way that it was not renewed. It now had to establish that its article 1 rights had been infringed in order to claim damages. Held: The appeal succeeded, and … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs ex parte Quark Fishing Limited: HL 13 Oct 2005
Commissioner’s Approach not in Breach In May 2010, a Mr Irvine made requests under the 2002 Act for information from South Lanarkshire Council. He wanted to know how many of their employees in a particular post were placed at 10 particular points on the Council’s pay scales. His underlying purpose was to find out whether … Continue reading South Lanarkshire Council v The Scottish Information Commissioner: SC 29 Jul 2013
The applicants had each been given a life sentence, but having served the minimum term had been due to have the continued detention reviewed to establish whether or not continued detention was necessary for the protection of the pblic. It had not been, and each had claimed there was no basis for his continued detention, … Continue reading Faulkner, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice and Another: SC 1 May 2013
The defendant appealed against a confiscation order, made on the basis of evidence secured from a probe installed in his car. He had made clear that he disputed the recordings. A second judge had inherited the proceedings, and ruled that he could not challenge the recordings. Held: There is no authority for the proposition that … Continue reading Knaggs v Regina: CACD 13 Jul 2009
The claimant sought damages against the Crown, having suffered asbestosis whilst in the armed forces. He challenged the denial to him of a right of action by the 1947 Act. Held: Human rights law did not create civil rights, but rather voided procedural bars to their enforcement. The issue of what is a substantive and … Continue reading Matthews v Ministry of Defence: HL 13 Feb 2003
Chief Constable has a Wide Discretion on Resources Protesters sought to prevent the appellant’s lawful trade exporting live animals. The police provided assistance, but then restricted it, pleading lack of resources. The appellants complained that this infringed their freedom of exports under community law. Held: Police do not have an absolute duty to prevent breaches … Continue reading Regina v Chief Constable of Sussex, ex Parte International Trader’s Ferry Limited: HL 2 Apr 1998
Husband and wife had been joint tenants of the council. On the breakdown of the marriage, W gave notice to quit. H defended the council’s possession action, saying that it was an infringement of his human rights for him to lose his tenancy and home. Held: The appellant accepted that the case of Hammersmith v … Continue reading Sims v Dacorum Borough Council: CA 24 Jan 2013
