Lord Bingham: ‘The court made plain in Ex p McDonald, as indeed is plain on the face of the statute, that when seeking an extension or a further extension of the custody time limit the Crown must show that there is good and sufficient [reason] for making the extension and that it has acted with … Continue reading Regina v Leeds Crown Court, Ex parte Bagoutie: 31 May 1999
The respondent sought leave to appeal against a finding that as a registered social landlord it was exercising a public function and was a hybrid public authority. Held: Leave was granted. A protective costs order was made for the respondent to ensure proper representation of both sides before the court. Citations: [2009] EWCA Civ 235, … Continue reading Weaver v London Quadrant Housing Trust: CA 17 Feb 2009
The Board considered the severability of statutory provisions viewed for constitutionality: ‘The real question is whether what remains is so inextricably bound up with the part declared invalid that what remains cannot independently survive or, as it has sometimes been put, whether on a fair review of the whole matter it can be assumed that … Continue reading Attorney General for Alberta v Attorney General for Canada: PC 1947
A member of Parliament was able to proceed with an action for defamation in respect of matters of which he had been criticised by the appropriate committee in Parliament. The trial would not impeach Parliament though retrying the issues. Lord Woolf MR said: ‘the vice to which Article 9 is directed (so far as the … Continue reading Hamilton v Al Fayed: CA 26 Mar 1999
Where an army doctor was accused of failing to diagnose a serviceman’s ocular cancer, the negligence which caused the consequent injury was caused by the delay in a correct diagnosis, and the treatment fell within the scope of Crown Immunity. Citations: Times 30-Mar-1999, Gazette 21-Apr-1999, [1999] EWCA Civ 1016, [1999] PIQR P204 Statutes: Crown Proceedings … Continue reading Derry v Ministry of Defence: CA 18 Mar 1999
The claimant sought damages, saying that he had been unlawfully detained when found unfit to plead in 1997. Held: The claim failed. (a) The 1964 Act, and its Scottish equivalent, did not authorise anything that was arbitrary. (b) It followed that Parliament did not, by the 1986 Order, pass subordinate legislation which authorised arbitrary detention … Continue reading Juncal, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and others: Admn 19 Dec 2007
Mr Leander had been refused employment at a museum located on a naval base, having been assessed as a security risk on the basis of information stored on a register maintained by State security services that had not been disclosed him. Mr Leander complained that he should have been provided with the information in question, … Continue reading Leander v Sweden: ECHR 26 Mar 1987
An ex parte application was made to quash a decision by the Advertising Standards Authority upholding a complaint that the applicants in that case were in breach of the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion, and an injunction to prevent the respondents from publishing their adjudication. Popplewell J considered the question whether or not … Continue reading Regina v Advertising Standards Authority Limited ex parte Direct Line Financial Services Limited: Admn 8 Aug 1997
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 claimant, the son of the leader of Libya, sought damages for defamation from the defendant for an article alleging his involvement in criminal activities. The defendant appealed orders striking out certain parts of his defence, and the claimant appealed orders leaving other parts in place. Was there a qualified privilege for the articles because … Continue reading Gaddafi v Telegraph Group Ltd: CA 28 Oct 1998
PC (Grenada) The defendant was editor of a newspaper which carried a story severely defamatory of the prime minister. He was convicted of criminal libel, and appealed. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The onus of proof remained, correctly, on the prosecution to prove that the libel was false. The prosecution also had to show that … Continue reading George Worme Grenada Today Limited v The Commissioner of Police: PC 29 Jan 2004
(Supreme Court of Canada) Publication in a magazine of an unauthorised photograph of a 17 year old girl sitting on the steps of a public building had violated her right to respect for private life conferred under Article 5 of the ‘Quebec Charter’ of Human Rights and Freedoms. Citations: [1998] 1 SCR 591, (1998), 157 … Continue reading Aubry v Editions Vice-Versa Inc: 9 Apr 1998
(1) A person (C) in the United Kingdom who makes a human rights claim is asserting that C (or someone connected with C) has, for whatever reason, a right recognised by the ECHR, which is of such a kind that removing C from, or requiring C to leave, would be a violation of that right. … Continue reading Mujahid, Regina (on The Application of) v First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and The Secretary of State for The Home Department (Refusal of Human Rights Claim): UTIAC 25 Feb 2020
The claimant alleged that his detention by the police and the removal from him of encrypted computer storage devices purporting to use powers under the 2000 Act. He and his journalist partner had received and published materials said to be of security data received from the US reating to British security services. He now sought … Continue reading Miranda v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Others: Admn 19 Feb 2014
Appeal from restraint orders. Citations: [1998] EWCA Civ 1175, [1999] 1 All ER 84 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 97 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See also – Government of the United States of America v Barnette and another Admn 2002 The applicant sought to register, under the Act, an order against the … Continue reading Government of United States of America v Montgomery and Montgomery: CA 8 Jul 1998
A local rabbi sought judicial review of the declaration of the Chief Rabbi, following an investigation into allegations of adultery with members of his congregation, that he was religiously and morally unfit to occupy his position. Held: Simon Brown J said: ‘Mr Beloff invites my attention to certain passages in the judgments of the Court … Continue reading Regina v Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Ex parte Wachmann: 1992
The claimant, the former Taoiseach of Ireland sought damages after the defendant newspaper published an article falsely accusing him of duplicity. The paper said that his position meant that they should have the defence of quaified privilege available. Held: Qualified privilege defence applied in defamation proceedings reporting acts of public officials where there appeared a … Continue reading Reynolds TD v Times Newspapers Ltd; Ruddock and Witherow: CA 8 Jul 1998
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
Statements made under compulsion could be used in disqualification proceedings at discretion of the Secretary of State. Citations: Gazette 01-Apr-1998, Times 10-Feb-1998, Gazette 11-Mar-1998 Statutes: Company Directors Disqualification Act 1985 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Ex Parte McCormick: CA 10 Feb 1998
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
Citations: [1997] EWCA Civ 2865, [1998] PIQR P387 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Matthews v Ministry of Defence HL 13-Feb-2003 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 … Continue reading Quinn v Ministry of Defence: CA 28 Nov 1997
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 trust was created in 1948, and provided gifts over, which had now failed. The court considered the construction of the term ‘stautory next of kin’. The possible beneficiaries claimed through being adopted, arguing that at the date of the last beneficary’s death, all impediments to inheritance by adopted children had been removed by statute. … Continue reading Re Erskine 1948 Trust: ChD 29 Mar 2012
An order for a journalist to disclose the name of an employee disclosing his employer’s information, may be made where there was a need to identify a disloyal employee. Here drafts of accounts had been released to embarrass the company. The documents involved were stolen, and a return of them would enable identification of the … Continue reading Camelot Group plc v Centaur Communications Limited: CA 23 Oct 1997
A building was erected without planning permission. The local planning authority chose not to serve an enforcement notice but rather had invited an application for retrospective planning permission. Held: The fact that a building has already been constructed before planning permission is sought might lawfully be regarded as a consideration in favour of a permission … Continue reading Regina v Leominster District Council ex parte Pothecary: CA 28 Oct 1997
CS Damages of 200,000 pounds by way of exemplary damages had been awarded against the police for unlawful arrest and assault. Held: The court gave a guideline maximum pounds 50,000 award against police for wrongful arrest and wrongful imprisonment. Comparisons were proper with personal injury cases. It is important to identify and quantify the various … Continue reading Thompson v Commissioner of Police of Metropolis; Hsu v Same: CA 20 Feb 1997
The applicant SR, aged 15, was remanded in custody to a Youth Offenders Institution pending sentence. Had he been a girl, he could not have been so remanded, since no similar provision was available for them. He complained that the law infringed his human rights. It was accepted that he was properly dealt with under … Continue reading Regina (SR) v Nottingham Magistrates’ Court: Admn 19 Oct 2001
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
A soldier in the Artillery Regiment was serving in Saudi Arabia in the course of the Gulf war. He was injured when he was part of a team managing a Howitzer, which was firing live rounds into Iraq, and he was standing in front of the gun when it was negligently fired by the gun … Continue reading Mulcahy v Ministry of Defence: CA 21 Feb 1996
Section allowing admission of documentary evidence was not a breach of requirements of European Convention on Human Rights. Reading of statements allowed where witness in fear. Judge given sufficient balancing discretion to follow convention Citations: Times 24-Jul-1998 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 23 24 825 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Human Rights Updated: 25 October … Continue reading Regina v Thomas, Regina v Flannagan: CACD 24 Jul 1998
The defendant had been wrongly convicted of IRA bombings. She said that the prosecution had failed to disclose evidence. Held: The prosecution’s forensic scientists are under a common law duty to disclose to the defence anything they may discover which may assist the defendant. ‘Non-disclosure is a potent source of injustice and even with the … Continue reading Regina v Ward (Judith): CACD 15 Jul 1992
The applicant had been born and registered as a female, but later came to receive treatment and to live as a male. He complained that the respondent had failed to amend his birth certificate. Held: The court accepted that, by failing to confer on a transsexual a right to an amended birth certificate, the state … Continue reading Rees v The United Kingdom: ECHR 17 Oct 1986
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (victim); Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 8; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedingsThe applicants were an unmarried couple who could not marry, and so legitimate their daughter, the third applicant, because … Continue reading Johnston and Others v Ireland: ECHR 18 Dec 1986
ECHR Preliminary objection rejected (six month period); No violation of Art. 10 – ‘The phrase ‘authority of the judiciary’ includes, in particular, the notion that the courts are, and are accepted by the public at large as being, the proper forum for the settlement of legal disputes and for the determination of a person’s guilt … Continue reading Worm v Austria: ECHR 29 Aug 1997
Child born after vasectomy – Damages Limited Despite a vasectomy, Mr MacFarlane fathered a child, and he and his wife sought damages for the cost of care and otherwise of the child. He appealed a rejection of his claim. Held: The doctor undertakes a duty of care in regard to the prevention of pregnancy: it … Continue reading MacFarlane and Another v Tayside Health Board: HL 21 Oct 1999
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 6-1 (public hearing); Violation of Art. 6-1 (impartial tribunal); Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses partial award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings Citations: (1998) 28 EHRR 196, … Continue reading Gautrin And Others v France: ECHR 20 May 1998
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 newspaper said that allegations had been made against the plaintiff that he was not paying his debts. In their defence they pleaded justification and the fact that he was being sued for debt. Held: A defamation was not to be justified in respect of extracts from affirmations in pending lawsuits. The court applied … Continue reading Stern v Piper and Others: CA 21 May 1996
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
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection dismissed (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 8 in respect of control of correspondence with the Commission and with lawyer; No violation of Art. 8 in respect of other correspondence; Violation of Art. 13 Citations: 37328/97, [2002] ECHR 9 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Judgment – … Continue reading A B v The Netherlands: ECHR 29 Jan 2002
The applicant had dual Iraqi and British nationality. He was detained by British Forces in Iraq under suspicion of terrorism, and interned. Held: His appeal failed. The UN resolution took priority over the European Convention on Human Rights where there was a conflict between them. ‘If the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII, consider that … Continue reading Al-Jedda v Secretary of State for Defence: CA 29 Mar 2006
Application made by the Council, pursuing the twin jurisdictional routes of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the invocation of the inherent jurisdictional powers of the High Court seeking declaratory relief sanctioning a birth plan in respect of a vulnerable adult. Citations: [2014] EWHC 3119 (Fam) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Family, Human Rights … Continue reading In re DM: FD 29 Sep 2014
A bank account used to cover the day-to-day expenses of an Embassy, clearly served sovereign purposes and therefore was immune from enforcement measures. The Act of 1978 must be read against the background of customary international law current in 1978. It is highly unlikely that Parliament intended to require United Kingdom courts to act contrary … Continue reading Alcom Ltd v Republic of Colombia: HL 1984
The court considered the developing international jurisdiction over commercial activities of state bodies which might enjoy state immunity, and sought to ascertain whether or not the Central Bank of Nigeria was entitled to immunity from suit. Held: The key questions are those of ‘governmental control’ and ‘governmental functions’ and that these are to be determined … Continue reading Trendtex Trading Corporation v Central Bank of Nigeria: CA 1977
G was a prisoner who was refused permission by the Home Secretary to consult a solicitor with a view to bringing libel proceedings against a prison officer. The court construed article 6 of ECHR, which provides that ‘in the determination of his civil rights . . everyone is entitled to a fair . . hearing’, … Continue reading Golder v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Feb 1975
The defendant resisted an order preventing disclosure of information said by the claimant to be private. Held: At the start of the hearing before herself, she had been told that the application for an interim injunction was no longer opposed. Subject to its right to apply to discharge or vary the order, NGN had agreed … Continue reading MNB v News Group Newspapers Ltd: QBD 9 Mar 2011
UTLC COMPENSATION–whether the 3 year time limit provided by section 19(3) of the Land Compensation Act 1973 for making a claim for compensation in respect of depreciation in value of interest in land caused by the use of a highway is incompatible with the claimants’ Convention rights under article 1 of the First Protocol and/or … Continue reading Thomas and Others v Bridgend County Borough Council: UTLC 29 Jul 2010
ECJ The principle that men and women should receive equal pay, which is laid down by article 119, is one of the foundations of the community. It may be relied on before the national courts. These courts have a duty to ensure the protection of the rights which that provision vests in individuals, in particular … Continue reading Defrenne v Sabena (No 2): ECJ 8 Apr 1976
The applicant and his friend were seriously assaulted and robbed. Although police officers attended the scene, no investigation into the circumstances of the assault were conducted. The police officers claimed to have considered that the applicant and his friend were intoxicated, so they moved them from the position where they had been found and left … Continue reading Denis Vasilyev v Russia: ECHR 17 Dec 2009
Gibraltar – The claimant challenged a public housing allocation policy which gave preference to married couples and parents of children, excluding same sex and infertile couples. Held: The aim of discouraging homosexual relationships is equally impermissible under sections 7(1) and 14 of the Constitution of Gibraltar. The suggested aims are incoherent and the means employed … Continue reading Rodriguez v Minister of Housing of The Government and Another: PC 14 Dec 2009
Service charges – Procedure – Jurisdiction of Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to consider ‘reasonableness’ of superior landlord’s expenditure – Recoverability of unreasonable expenditure from tenant of block of flats – Human Rights Act 1998 – Article 1 of First Protocol Citations: [2006] EWLands LRX – 93 – 2005 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: … Continue reading Oakfern Properties Ltd v Ruddy: LT 9 Feb 2006
Requirements for Enforcing Consumer Loan Agreement The claimant challenged the validity of a loan agreement with his bank as a regulated consumer credit agreement. After default, the lender failed to satisfy a request for a copy of the agreement under section 77. The bank said that though it could not enforce the agreement, it remained … Continue reading McGuffick v The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc: ComC 6 Oct 2009
The council tenant had wished to appeal following a possession order made after her tenancy had been demoted. The court handed down a supplemental judgment to give effect to its earlier decision. The Court had been asked ‘whether article 8 of the . . Convention . . requires a court, which is being asked to … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Pinnock: SC 9 Feb 2011
The claimants, in the US awaiting execution for murders, challenged the permitting by the defendant for export of the chemical Sodium Thipental which would be used for their execution. The respondent said that its use in general anaesthesia practice meant that it was not subject to control. The claimants said that the export was a … Continue reading Zagorski and Baze, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Others: Admn 29 Nov 2010
Procedures on Withdrawal of Life Support Treatment The patient had been severely injured in the Hillsborough disaster, and had come to be in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). The doctors sought permission to withdraw medical treatment. The Official Solicitor appealed against an order of the Court of Appeal permitting the action. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading Airedale NHS Trust v Bland: HL 4 Feb 1993
(Jamaica) A five year delay in execution is excessive, and can itself amount to inhuman or degrading punishment. ‘There is an instinctive revulsion against the prospect of hanging a man after he has been held under sentence of death for many years. What gives rise to this instinctive revulsion? The answer can only be our … Continue reading Pratt and Morgan v The Attorney General for Jamaica and Another: PC 2 Nov 1993
The plaintiff was a manager within the social services department. He suffered a mental breakdown in 1986, and had four months off work. His employers had refused to provide the increased support he requested. He had returned to work, but again, did not receive the staff or guidance to allow him to do the work … Continue reading Walker v Northumberland County Council: QBD 16 Nov 1994
Burton J dismissed a claim for judicial review brought by the serving prisoner, to challenge his statutory disfranchisement from voting in domestic and European Parliamentary elections. Judges: Burton J Citations: [2009] EWHC 2923 (Admin), [2010] HRLR 6, [2010] UKHRR 317, [2010] ACD 28 Links: Bailii Statutes: Representation of the People Act 1983 3, European Parliamentary … Continue reading Chester, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice and Another: Admn 28 Oct 2009
The claimant’s daughter had been a voluntary patient at a mental hospital. She committed suicide when on home leave from a secure ward. The claimant now said that the hospital had acted incompatibly with their daughter’s human rights, in releasing her when she needed care. Held: The claim failed. Since Melanie was a voluntary mental … Continue reading Rabone and Another v Pennine Care NHS Trust: QBD 23 Jul 2009
Hudoc Violation of Art. 6-1; Preliminary objection rejected; Just satisfaction reserved – Judgment (Just satisfaction) Pecuniary damage – financial award; Non-pecuniary damage – financial awardThe rights recognised under the Convention must be given effect to by signatory states. Citations: 18357/91, (1997) 24 EHRR 250, [1997] ECHR 15, [1998] ECHR 26, [1998] ECHR 26, [1997] ECHR … Continue reading Hornsby v Greece: ECHR 19 Mar 1997
FTTTx Income tax – pension payable to husband – claim that half of pension should be assessed on wife – Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 sections 1 and 19, Schedule E paragraph 2 – Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 sections 569, 571 and 572 – Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 sections 21A and … Continue reading Rockliff v Revenue and Customs: FTTTx 25 Jun 2009
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 6-1; Pecuniary damage – financial award; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1993] ECHR 14, 13023/87, (1998) 26 EHRR 187 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – A, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough … Continue reading Salesi v Italy: ECHR 26 Feb 1993
The claimants complained of the system under which they had been placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely with no ability to have the registration reviewed. They said that this interfered with their right to respect for their private and family life. Held: The Secretary of State’s appeal against a declaration of incompatibility failed. The … Continue reading JF and Another, Regina (On the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 23 Jul 2009
The defendants each complained that being placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely was a disproportionate interference with their rights for private and family life, and under European law. Held: A declaration of incompatibility was ordered to the extent that the orders made were not subject to regular review. Judges: Lord Justice Latham, Mr Justice … Continue reading F and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: QBD 19 Dec 2008
Citations: [2008] ScotHC HCJAC – 78 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: Scotland Cited by: Cited – Kapri v The Lord Advocate (Representing The Government of The Republic of Albania) SC 10-Jul-2013 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, … Continue reading Trajer v The Lord Advocate: HCJ 19 Dec 2008
The Home Secretary had served notice that the applicant was an illegal immigrant, and liable to deportation. An order had been made for the cross examination of the applicant. He had come to England to study, but soon dropped his immediate plans. He left and re-entered claiming an intention to start an alternative course. He … Continue reading Regina (Yaser Mahmood) v Secretary of State for Home Department: Admn 9 Aug 2001
The various claimants sought to challenge the 2004 Act by way of judicial review on the grounds that it was ‘a disproportionate, unnecessary and illegitimate interference with their rights to choose how they conduct their lives, and with market freedoms protected by European law; and an unjust interference with economic rights.’ Held: ‘We have concluded … Continue reading Countryside Alliance and others v HM Attorney General and others: Admn 29 Jul 2005
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of P1-1; Pecuniary damage – financial award; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses – claim rejected Citations: 19639/92, [1998] ECHR 86 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 28 July 2022; Ref: scu.165678
The Trust appealed against a finding that in terminating an assured tenancy transferred to it from a local authority, it had acted as a hybrid public authority and was subject to controls under the 1998 Act. Held: (Rix LJ dissenting). The appeal failed. When dealing with social tenants, the trust exercised a public law function. … Continue reading London and Quadrant Housing Trust v Weaver, Regina; Equality and Human Rights Commission intervening: CA 18 Jun 2009
The applicant was born outside marriage in 1948 in East Germany and claimed a share of the estate of her father, who had lived in West Germany dying in 1998. A West German statute of 1969 put illegitimate children on a equality with children of a marriage, but excluded children born before 1 July 1949, … Continue reading Brauer v Germany: ECHR 28 May 2009
Each defendant appealed on the basis that they had not had proper opportunity to cross examine prosecution witnesses whose evidence had been accepted by the court. In each case evidence had been hearsay. In two cases, the witness had died before trial, in the third the witness did not attend for fear, and in the … Continue reading Horncastle and Others v Regina: CACD 22 May 2009
A party who was in contempt of court should not be debarred from continuing to take a proper part in a court action unless that contempt was serious enough seriously to interfere with the fair conduct of the trial. ‘The courts need powers of punishment with which to enforce their orders. The ones they have … Continue reading In Re Swaptronics Ltd: ChD 24 Jul 1998
JE, wife of DE, who had been taken into residential care by the Local authority, said that the authority had infringed his Article 5 and 8 rights on transferring him between homes. The authority asserted that he did not have mental capacity. She asserted that his retention in care was an unlawful detention. Judges: Munby … Continue reading Re DE, JE v DE, Surrey County Council and EW: FD 29 Dec 2006
The applicants sought, by means of the Human Rights Act to challenge the way in which the decision had been made that they should be prosecuted under the 1989 Act, arguing that section 6(2) was inconsistent with the new Act. Held: The Act contravened the Convention insofar as it made evidential presumptions which were incompatible … Continue reading Regina v Director of Public Prosecutions ex parte Kebilene etc: Admn 30 Mar 1999
A Police Officer assisting in recovery of items ordered to be returned in matrimonial proceedings acted in excess of his powers and trespassed in entering house where there was no immediate threat of breach of the peace, and no sight of disorder. An interference with private life by the police must be objectively justified under … Continue reading McLeod v The United Kingdom: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
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
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 8; Violation of Art. 25; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award Citations: [1998] ECHR 93, 27273/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 24 July 2022; Ref: scu.165665
Application by the Claimant seeking the anonymisation of the parties in this litigation and corresponding reporting restrictions preventing the parties being identified. Held; Refused (retained subject to appeal) Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Nicklin Citations: [2022] EWHC 1908 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Contempt of Court Act 1981 11, Human Rights Act 1998 6, Civil Procedure … Continue reading EGC v PGF NHS Trust: QBD 19 Jul 2022
The claimant police officer complained of an alleged defamation in an article published by the defendant. The defendant wished to obtain information from the IPCC to show that they were investigating the matter as a credible issue. The court considered applications relating to the disclosure of private materials given to the Independent Police Complaints Commission … Continue reading Flood v Times Newspapers Ltd and others: QBD 5 Mar 2009
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
The local authority regarded lack of resources or facilities as an insuperable obstacle to any further attempt to make provision under the 1970 Act. Held: A Local Authority should allow for non-statutory guidance in assessing a disabled person’s education needs. Local authorities may only depart from the Secretary of State’s guidance for good reason. Sedley … Continue reading Regina v Islington Borough Council Ex Parte Rixon: QBD 17 Apr 1996
The complainant said that the system under which he had been declared unfit to be involved in the management of an insurance company was unfair. Citations: 28530/95, [1998] ECHR 117, (1998) 25 EHRR CD88, 25 EHRR CD88 Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – Wright and Others, … Continue reading X v United Kingdom: ECHR 19 Jan 1998
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 6-1; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings. Citations: [1998] ECHR 94, 28523/95 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 21 July 2022; Ref: scu.165676
The Home Secretary had issued directives to the BBC and IBA prohibiting the broadcasting of speech by representatives of proscribed terrorist organisations. The applicant journalists challenged the legality of the directives on the ground that they were incompatible with the ECHR, and also on the ground that they were disproportionate in going beyond the established … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Brind: HL 7 Feb 1991
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 10; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings Citations: [1998] ECHR 90, 24662/94 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Cited by: Cited – Callaghan v Independent News and Media Ltd QBNI 7-Jan-2009 callaghan_inmQBNI2009 The claimant was convicted in … Continue reading Lehideux And Isorni v France: ECHR 23 Sep 1998
The applicant’s father had been present on Christmas Island during British nuclear tests. She was diagnosed with leukaemia. She claimed the UK had been should have warned her parents of the risks associated with exposure to radiation and monitored her health. Held: The applicant had not proved that her father had actually been exposed to … Continue reading LCB v United Kingdom: ECHR 9 Jun 1998
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
Claim for damages and injunctive relief in slander, libel malicious falsehood, negligence and under the Human Rights Act 1998 against his former employer, the First Defendant and five employees of the First Defendant, the Second to Sixth Defendants. Judges: Master Cook Citations: [2019] EWHC 1803 (QB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Defamation, Torts – … Continue reading Osagie v Serco Ltd and Others: QBD 11 Jul 2019
The claimants appealed an order finding that the defendant had acquired their land by adverse possession. They said that the defendant had asserted in defence to possession proceedings that they were tenants, and that this contradicted an intent to deny the claimants’ title. Held: The appeal failed. A finding by the ECHR that a particular … Continue reading Ofulue and Another v Bossert: CA 29 Jan 2008
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
Each defendant challenged decisions to extend the custody time limits. Judges: Lord Bingham of Cornhill LCJ, Collins J Citations: [1998] EWHC 319 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention of Human Rights 5, Bail Act 1976 4(1), Prosecution of Offences (Custody Time Limits) Regulations 1987 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice, Human Rights Updated: 12 July … Continue reading McDonald, Regina (on the Application of) v Manchester Crown Court; Others: Admn 9 Nov 1998
(Commission) Although professional disciplinary proceedings may be conducted to the criminal standard of proof, that does not make them ‘akin to criminal proceedings’. ‘in general’, disciplinary proceedings are not ‘criminal’ for the purpose of Article 6.1 and 6.3, because professional disciplinary matters concern the relationship between professional associations and individuals rather than draw on law … Continue reading Wickramsinghe v United Kingdom: ECHR 9 Dec 1997
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 6-1; Not necessary to examine Art. 6-3-d; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected; Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient Citations: [1998] ECHR 100, 19601/92 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights Updated: 12 July 2022; Ref: scu.165688
The appellant appealed a finding that the respondent had been its employee, saying he was a minister of religion. Held: The judge had been entitled to find an intention to create legal relations, and therefore that the claimant was an employee. ‘The religious beliefs of a community may be such that their manifestation does not … Continue reading The New Testament Church of God v Reverend Stewart: CA 19 Oct 2007
The Court was asked whether the actions of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal were amenable to judicial review: ‘what if any material difference to the court’s approach is made by any differences in context or wording, and more particularly the inclusion, in the parenthesis to section 67(8), of a specific reference to decisions relating to ‘jurisdiction’?’ … Continue reading Privacy International, Regina (on The Application of) v Investigatory Powers Tribunal and Others: SC 15 May 2019
The claimant sought to bring an action for defamation based upon communications made in a child protection conference. The reference was in a Report for Conference to be held pursuant to the duties imposed on local authorities by the Children Act that there was ‘concern that [the claimant] might be grooming S for prostitution.’ The … Continue reading W v Westminster City Council and Others: QBD 9 Dec 2004
The claimants sought compensation for the diminution in the values of their properties because of noise pollution from a new highway. The defendant highway authority said that liability had been transferred to its contractors, and it had not been and was not a highway maintainable at public expense. Held: The road had been constructed for … Continue reading O’Connor and Another v Wiltshire County Council: CA 9 May 2007
