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Calladine-Smith v Saveorder Ltd: ChD 5 Jul 2011

The Defendant relied on Section 7 of the 1978 Act to support of its contention that it had served on the Claimant a counter-notice under Section 45 Leasehold Reform (Housing and Urban Development) Act 1993 (‘the 1993 Act’). The Claimant contended that Section 7 allowed him to prove on the facts that the counter-notice had … Continue reading Calladine-Smith v Saveorder Ltd: ChD 5 Jul 2011

Lucasfilm Ltd and Others v Ainsworth and Another: SC 27 Jul 2011

The claimant had produced the Star War films which made use of props, in particular a ‘Stormtrooper’ helmet designed by the defendant. The defendant had then himself distributed models of the designs he had created. The appellant obtained judgment against the respondent in the US for punitive damages, but these had not been collected, and … Continue reading Lucasfilm Ltd and Others v Ainsworth and Another: SC 27 Jul 2011

Ross (T/A Hilltop Boarding Kennels) v Revenue and Customs: FTTTx 12 Dec 2011

Penalties for late filing of P35 for three consecutive years- whether returns for first two years were delivered to HMRC – Interpretation Act 1978 – appeal for those two years allowed and penalties set aside – whether penalty of pounds 400 for not filing the 2009-10 return online was unfair and/or disproportionate – no – … Continue reading Ross (T/A Hilltop Boarding Kennels) v Revenue and Customs: FTTTx 12 Dec 2011

Davies and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Revenue and Customs: SC 19 Oct 2011

The Revenue had published a booklet, IR20, setting out their approach to the interpretation of the phrases ‘residence’ and ‘ordinary residence’. The taxpayer said that this was a more generous definition than the statutory one, and that having acted on it he had a legitimate expectation that the booklet’s interpretation would continue to be applied. … Continue reading Davies and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Revenue and Customs: SC 19 Oct 2011

Aberdeen Construction Group Ltd v Inland Revenue Commissioners: HL 1978

The House gave guidance on the interpretation of Tax statutes. Held: The consideration at issue had been paid both for shares and for something else, the waiver of a loan the seller had made to the company. Lord Wilberforce emphasised the need to consider each asset disposed of separately in the light of the rules … Continue reading Aberdeen Construction Group Ltd v Inland Revenue Commissioners: HL 1978

Talke Fashions Ltd v Society of Textile Workers: EAT 1978

The employer announced the closure of two factories and the redundancy of the workforce, at one factory in 15 days’ time and, at the other, in 63 days’ time. There was no consultation. The employer appealed a 60 day protective award. Held: (Majority) Appeal allowed in part. The ET were misled into thinking that the … Continue reading Talke Fashions Ltd v Society of Textile Workers: EAT 1978

London Borough of Southwark v Akhtar Re: 11 and 54 John Kennedy House: UTLC 20 Apr 2017

LANDLORD AND TENANT – SERVICE CHARGES – s196 Law of Property Act 1925 – s 7 Interpretation Act 1978 – service of notices – waiver of invalidity of notices – s20B Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, contents of notices – appeal allowed. Citations: [2017] UKUT 150 (LC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Law of Property Act 1925 … Continue reading London Borough of Southwark v Akhtar Re: 11 and 54 John Kennedy House: UTLC 20 Apr 2017

Paddico (267) Ltd v Kirklees Metropolitan Council and Others: ChD 23 Jun 2011

The company sought the rectification of the register of village greens to remove an entry relating to its land, saying that the Council had not properly considered the need properly to identify the locality which was said to have enjoyed the rights claimed. Held: Rectification was ordered. The Green ought not to have been registered … Continue reading Paddico (267) Ltd v Kirklees Metropolitan Council and Others: ChD 23 Jun 2011

MIDILL (97Pl) Ltd v Park Lane Estates Ltd and Another: CA 11 Nov 2008

Refusal to return Land Contract Deposit The court was asked as to whether a seller could retain a deposit paid by the claimant on a sale where contracts had been exchanged but the buyer had proved unable to go ahead. Held: The appeal against refusal of return of the deposit failed. The court looked at … Continue reading MIDILL (97Pl) Ltd v Park Lane Estates Ltd and Another: CA 11 Nov 2008

Kosar v Bank of Scotland Plc (T/A Halifax): Admn 18 Jan 2011

The claimant appealed against an order which had rejected his claim against the defendant under the 1997 Act on the basis that a company could not commit the offence. Held: The appeal was allowed. Under the 1978 Act, a ‘person’ included a body corporate unless the contrary was shown. The restriction created by section 7(5) … Continue reading Kosar v Bank of Scotland Plc (T/A Halifax): Admn 18 Jan 2011

Greater Manchester Police v Andrews: Admn 23 May 2011

The CC appealed by case stated against a refusal of an order under the 2000 Act for the disclosure by the defendant of a cryptography key. The defendant had a history of sexual offences against children and had failed to keep to the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. He was found with indecent … Continue reading Greater Manchester Police v Andrews: Admn 23 May 2011

Acts

1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts

Vibixa Ltd, Polestar Jowetts Ltd v Komori UK Ltd and Another, Spectral Technology Ltd: CA 9 May 2006

The claimants sought damages for damage to property alleging breach of statutory duty. The defendant said that the regulations were made under European not English law, and that the Secretary of State did not have power to make regulations under the 1974 Act which would give rise to a right to damages. The regulations had … Continue reading Vibixa Ltd, Polestar Jowetts Ltd v Komori UK Ltd and Another, Spectral Technology Ltd: CA 9 May 2006

Oxfordshire County Council v Oxford City Council and others: HL 24 May 2006

Application had been made to register as a town or village green an area of land which was largely a boggy marsh. The local authority resisted the application wanting to use the land instead for housing. It then rejected advice it received from a non-statutory enquiry, and sought a declaration from the court as to … Continue reading Oxfordshire County Council v Oxford City Council and others: HL 24 May 2006

Kelly v Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Loughran v Northern Ireland Housing Executive: HL 29 Jul 1998

Provisions against discrimination on religious grounds in Northern Ireland, could apply to appointment of a firm to a panel of experts, where one person was designated to carry out that work. ‘it is essential, for there to be ’employment,’ that the person making the contract shall himself undertake to do, at any rate, some of … Continue reading Kelly v Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Loughran v Northern Ireland Housing Executive: HL 29 Jul 1998

British Broadcasting Corporation v Kelly-Phillips: CA 24 Apr 1998

When a one year fixed term employment contract was extended by a period of less than a year, but then not again renewed, there was no unfair dismissal, since the exemption for the original term applied also to any extension. There had been conflicting interpretations of the statutory provisions. S197 could not be construed on … Continue reading British Broadcasting Corporation v Kelly-Phillips: CA 24 Apr 1998

El-Kholy v Rentokil Initial Facilities Services (UK) Ltd: EAT 21 Mar 2013

EAT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Extension of time: reasonably practicableWhere a Claimant has retained a solicitor to act for him and failed to meet the deadline for presenting a complaint of unfair dismissal to an Employment Tribunal, the adviser’s fault will defeat any attempt to argue that it was not reasonably practicable to make a timely … Continue reading El-Kholy v Rentokil Initial Facilities Services (UK) Ltd: EAT 21 Mar 2013

Regina v P and others: HL 19 Dec 2000

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

Re Erskine 1948 Trust: ChD 29 Mar 2012

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

Sodexho Ltd v Gibbons: EAT 14 Jul 2005

EAT Deposit ordered. Order lost in post due to the Claimant putting wrong post-code on ET1. Review. Distinguishing Judgments from Orders. Strike-out. Extending time. Judges: His Honour Peter Clark Citations: [2005] UKEAT 0318 – 05 – 2907, UKEAT/0319/05/TM, UKEAT/0318/05/TM, [2005] ICR 1647, UKEAT/0320/05/TM, [2005] IRLR 836 Links: Bailii, EATn Statutes: Employment Tribunal Rules 2004 20(1) … Continue reading Sodexho Ltd v Gibbons: EAT 14 Jul 2005

Mitsui and Co Ltd and Others v Beteiligungsgesellschaft Lpg Tankerflotte Mbh and Co Kg and Another: SC 25 Oct 2017

This appeal raises the issue whether the daily vessel-operating expenses of shipowners incurred while they were negotiating to reduce the ransom demands of pirates should be allowed in general average – ie whether those expenses should be shared proportionately between all those whose property and entitlements were imperilled as a result of that seizure – … Continue reading Mitsui and Co Ltd and Others v Beteiligungsgesellschaft Lpg Tankerflotte Mbh and Co Kg and Another: SC 25 Oct 2017

Pirabakaran v Patel and Another: CA 26 May 2006

The landlord had wanted possession. The tenant said that the landlord had been harassing him. The landlord said that the tenancy was a mixed residential and business tenancy and that the 1977 Act did not apply. Held: The 1977 Act applied. A tenancy for mixed purposes falls under the protection of the Act of 1954, … Continue reading Pirabakaran v Patel and Another: CA 26 May 2006

Trendtex Trading Corporation v Central Bank of Nigeria: CA 1977

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

Golder v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Feb 1975

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

Blunden v Frogmore Investments Ltd: CA 30 Apr 2002

The tenant had a lease of business premises. The premises were damaged in a terrorist attack, and the landlord served a notice terminating the lease. The lease gave the right to the landlord to determine the lease if the property was incapable of occupation for more than six months. It came to be accepted that … Continue reading Blunden v Frogmore Investments Ltd: CA 30 Apr 2002

RFC 2012 Plc (Formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc) v Advocate General for Scotland: SC 5 Jul 2017

The Court was asked whether an employee’s remuneration is taxable as his or her emoluments or earnings when it is paid to a third party in circumstances in which the employee had no prior entitlement to receive it himself or herself. Held: The company’s appeal failed. The purposive approach to the interpretation of the general … Continue reading RFC 2012 Plc (Formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc) v Advocate General for Scotland: SC 5 Jul 2017

Secretary of State for Justice v Slee (2): Admn 22 Jan 2010

The claimant had been unfairly dismissed from her position as justices’ clerk. After appeal her additional claims for retirement and other compensation under the 1978 Regulations had been remitted to the Employment tribunal which had reconsidered and acceded to the claim. The Secretary of State appealed, saying that the Tribunal had failed properly to apply … Continue reading Secretary of State for Justice v Slee (2): Admn 22 Jan 2010

Lister and Others v Hesley Hall Ltd: HL 3 May 2001

A school board employed staff to manage a residential school for vulnerable children. The staff committed sexual abuse of the children. The school denied vicarious liability for the acts of the teachers. Held: ‘Vicarious liability is legal responsibility imposed on an employer, although he is himself free from blame, for a tort committed by his … Continue reading Lister and Others v Hesley Hall Ltd: HL 3 May 2001

HM Revenue and Customs v UBS Ag: CA 21 Feb 2007

The court considered the treatment of losses in a London branch of the non-resident Bank. Had the company been resident it could have set off the losses. It claimed that the refusal was an unlawful discrimination. Judges: Sedley, Arden, Moses LJJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 119 Links: Bailii Statutes: UK-Switzerland Double Taxation Convention of 8 … Continue reading HM Revenue and Customs v UBS Ag: CA 21 Feb 2007

The Scottish Lion Insurance Company Ltd, Re Sanction of A Scheme of Arrangement: SCS 8 Mar 2006

Sanction had been sought for a scheme of arrangement on the winding up of an insurance company. There were objections. The original scheme had been proposed under English law, and it would be inappropriate for a Scottish court to try to sanction such an arrangement. Payment of et fess of Engliah lawyers was sought. Held: … Continue reading The Scottish Lion Insurance Company Ltd, Re Sanction of A Scheme of Arrangement: SCS 8 Mar 2006

Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen v Brady: EAT 31 Mar 2006

The reason adduced by the union for the dismissal of the climant was found by the Tribunal on the facts not to be the true reason for dismissal, the true reason being the union executive committee’s political antipathy to Mr Brady. Held: It was highly arguable that a finding that disciplinary proceedings had been commenced … Continue reading Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen v Brady: EAT 31 Mar 2006

Jackson and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Her Majesty’s Attorney General: Admn 28 Jan 2005

The 2004 Act had been passed without the approval of the House of Lords and under the provisions of the 1911 Act as amended by the 1949 Act. The 1949 Act had used the provisions of the 1911 Act to amend the 1911 Act. The claimant said this meant that the 1949 Act was void, … Continue reading Jackson and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Her Majesty’s Attorney General: Admn 28 Jan 2005

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v Ladejobi: EAT 1 Nov 1998

The tribunal was asked as to the date from which time started to run for the purposes of calculating the 42-day period within which an appeal should have been brought from a decision of an Employment Tribunal, if it was to be brought at all. Held: Morison J said that Section 7 of the Interpretation … Continue reading London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v Ladejobi: EAT 1 Nov 1998

Hutton v Esher Urban District Council: CA 1973

(reversed) The local authority sought to acquire the plaintiff’s bungalow by compulsory powers which allowed it to purchase land required to construct a new sewer. Held: By the 1978 Act, the word land was to be read to include buildings upon the land, and this was a correct purchase. Citations: [1973] 2 All ER 1123 … Continue reading Hutton v Esher Urban District Council: CA 1973

Serco Ltd v Lawson and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: CA 23 Jan 2004

The applicant had been employed to provide services to RAF in the Ascension Islands. He alleged constructive dismissal. There was an issue as to whether somebody working in the Ascension Islands was protected by the 1996 Act. The restriction on jurisdiction in s196 had been removed. The question now was as to what test applied … Continue reading Serco Ltd v Lawson and Foreign and Commonwealth Office: CA 23 Jan 2004

Royal Brompton Hospital National Health Service Trust v Hammond and others: HL 25 Apr 2002

The claimants sought damages against the defendants for their late delivery of a building. The contractors sought to share the damages with the architects who had certified the delays, defeating their own claims. Held: The Act sought to extend the circumstances under which contributions could be sought, but their claim against the architects were of … Continue reading Royal Brompton Hospital National Health Service Trust v Hammond and others: HL 25 Apr 2002

Atkins v Director of Public Prosecutions; Goodland v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 8 Mar 2000

For possession of an indecent image of a child to be proved, it was necessary to establish some knowledge of its existence. Images stored without the defendant’s knowledge by browser software in a hidden cache, of which he was also unaware, were not such, and a conviction was quashed. The situation was akin to a … Continue reading Atkins v Director of Public Prosecutions; Goodland v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 8 Mar 2000

Friends’ Provident Life Office v Hillier, Parker May and Rowden: CA 1997

Friends Provident had participated in a development project on terms which required it to pay its share of the development costs as it proceeded. It employed Hillier Parker, a firm of surveyors, to check demands made from time to time for payment of its share of development costs. Friends Provident paid the developer its share … Continue reading Friends’ Provident Life Office v Hillier, Parker May and Rowden: CA 1997

Skerritts of Nottingham Limited v Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and Regions, Harrow London Borough Council: Admn 22 Mar 1999

The curtilage of a building is a small area around it. An assessment of whether a separate structure was within the curtilage which did not consider the distance between the various buildings must be incorrect in that it had omitted an essential consideration. A stable block lying some distance from a listed building should only … Continue reading Skerritts of Nottingham Limited v Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and Regions, Harrow London Borough Council: Admn 22 Mar 1999

T and D Transport (Portsmouth) Limited v Limburn: EAT 1987

The Respondent employers had not attended a hearing before the Industrial Tribunal. The hearing went ahead. The Respondents applied for a review of the decision (that the employee had been unfairly dismissed and should be compensated) on the ground that they had not received notice of the proceedings leading to the decision. The Tribunal, having … Continue reading T and D Transport (Portsmouth) Limited v Limburn: EAT 1987

Aitken v South Hams District Council: HL 8 Jul 1994

A notice was served in 1983 under section 58 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 requiring the abatement of a noise nuisance. That section was repealed by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, with effect from 1st January 1991, and a new procedure for statutory nuisance was substituted. On 25th January 1992, an information was … Continue reading Aitken v South Hams District Council: HL 8 Jul 1994

Great Atlantic Insurance v Home Insurance: CA 1981

The defendants sought to enter into evidence one part of a document, but the plaintiffs sought to have the remainder protected through legal professional privilege. Held: The entirety of the document was privileged, but by disclosing part, the plaintiffs had waived privilege in relation to the whole document. Templeman LJ said: ‘In Minter v Priest … Continue reading Great Atlantic Insurance v Home Insurance: CA 1981

Regina v Bartle and Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and Others, ex parte Pinochet Ugarte; Regina v Evans and Similar (No 3): HL 24 Mar 1999

An application to extradite a former head of state for an offence which was not at the time an offence under English law would fail, but could proceed in respect of allegations of acts after that time. No immunity was intended for heads of state. International law prohibiting torture has the character of jus cogens … Continue reading Regina v Bartle and Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and Others, ex parte Pinochet Ugarte; Regina v Evans and Similar (No 3): HL 24 Mar 1999

Jones v Ministry of Interior for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and others: HL 14 Jun 2006

The claimants said that they had been tortured by Saudi police when arrested on false charges. They sought damages, and appealed against an order denying jurisdiction over the defendants. They said that the allegation of torture allowed an exception to state immunity. Held: The Kingdom’s appeal succeeded. The protection of state immunity was essentially a … Continue reading Jones v Ministry of Interior for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and others: HL 14 Jun 2006

Regina v Clerk to Croydon Justices ex parte Chief Constable of Kent: QBD 1989

A partnership or an unincorporated association could be registered as a fine defaulter if it failed to pay a fixed penalty arising from its ownership of a motor vehicle; that was because the statutory definition of defaulter depended on the use of the words ‘any person’, and thus the Interpretation Act applied to it. Paragraph … Continue reading Regina v Clerk to Croydon Justices ex parte Chief Constable of Kent: QBD 1989

Osman v The United Kingdom: ECHR 28 Oct 1998

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

RJM, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 22 Oct 2008

The 1987 Regulations provided additional benefits for disabled persons, but excluded from benefit those who had nowhere to sleep. The claimant said this was irrational. He had been receiving the disability premium to his benefits, but this was cancelled when he lost his home. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The disabilty premium, as part of … Continue reading RJM, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 22 Oct 2008

James v Revenue and Customs (Income Tax/Corporation Tax : Application By Appellant for Closure Notice): FTTTx 26 Nov 2018

Income tax – application by Appellant for closure notice – tax avoidance scheme – whether HMRC had validly issued and served a Notice of Enquiry – HMRC unable to produce a copy of the notice providing evidence of issue and postage -section 115 TMA 1970 and section 78 Interpretation Act 1978 – whether evidence of … Continue reading James v Revenue and Customs (Income Tax/Corporation Tax : Application By Appellant for Closure Notice): FTTTx 26 Nov 2018

Nelson v British Broadcasting Corporation: CA 1977

Mr Nelson was employed as a producer but had in fact been engaged in the Caribbean Service of the BBC in terms of the work which he had actually been doing. The contract of employment expressly provided that he should serve wherever and however he might be required. Held: The closure of the BBC service … Continue reading Nelson v British Broadcasting Corporation: CA 1977

C A Webber (Transport) Ltd v Railtrack plc: CA 15 Jul 2003

A notice served under s25 of the 1954 Act, being sent by recorded delivery to the tenant at its place of abode, was irrebuttably deemed to have been served on the day it was posted. Section 23 of the 1927 Act operated to disapply section 7 of the 1978 Act. Such an implication did not … Continue reading C A Webber (Transport) Ltd v Railtrack plc: CA 15 Jul 2003

Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001

Power to call in is administrative in nature The powers of the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his decision, and certain other planning powers, were essentially an administrative power, and not a judicial one, and therefore it was not a breach of the applicants’ rights to a fair hearing before … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001

Lynn Shellfish Ltd and Others v Loose and Another: SC 13 Apr 2016

The court was asked as to the extent of an exclusive prescriptive right (ie an exclusive right obtained through a long period of use) to take cockles and mussels from a stretch of the foreshore on the east side of the Wash, on the west coast of Norfolk. Over time the various water marks had … Continue reading Lynn Shellfish Ltd and Others v Loose and Another: SC 13 Apr 2016

Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Assurance: HL 21 May 1997

Minor Irregularity in Break Notice Not Fatal Leases contained clauses allowing the tenant to break the lease by serving not less than six months notice to expire on the third anniversary of the commencement date of the term of the lease. The tenant gave notice to determine the leases on 12th January 1995, although the … Continue reading Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Assurance: HL 21 May 1997

Cutts v Head and Another: CA 7 Dec 1983

There had been a trial of 35 days regarding rights of way over land, which had proved fruitless, and where some orders had been made without jurisdiction. The result had been inconclusive. The costs order was now appealed, the plaintiff complaining that the judge had failed to take into account an offer of settlement made … Continue reading Cutts v Head and Another: CA 7 Dec 1983

Regina v Hull University Visitor, Ex parte Page; Regina v Lord President of the Privy Council ex Parte Page: HL 3 Dec 1992

The decisions of University Visitors are subject to judicial review in that they exercise a public function. English law no longer draws a distinction between jurisdictional errors of law and non-jurisdictional errors of law. However, the court has no jurisdiction to review a decision of the visitor of a University on the construction of its … Continue reading Regina v Hull University Visitor, Ex parte Page; Regina v Lord President of the Privy Council ex Parte Page: HL 3 Dec 1992

Liversidge v Sir John Anderson: HL 3 Nov 1941

The plaintiff sought damages for false imprisonment. The Secretary of State had refused to disclose certain documents. The question was as to the need for the defendant to justify the use of his powers by disclosing the documents. Held: The legislation must be interpreted to give effect to Parliament’s intention, even if that meant adding … Continue reading Liversidge v Sir John Anderson: HL 3 Nov 1941

Vizcaya Partners Ltd v Picard and Another: PC 3 Feb 2016

No Contractual Obligation to Try Case in New York (Gibraltar) The appellant had invested in a fraudulent Ponzi scheme run by Bernard Madoff. They were repaid sums before the fund collapsed, and the trustees now sought repayment by way of enforcement of an order obtained in New York. Held: The appeal was allowed. There was … Continue reading Vizcaya Partners Ltd v Picard and Another: PC 3 Feb 2016

British American Tobacco Denmark A/S v Kazemier Bv: SC 28 Oct 2015

One container loaded with cigarettes was allegedly hi-jacked in Belgium en route between Switzerland and The Netherlands in September 2011, while another allegedly lost 756 of its original 1386 cartons while parked overnight contrary to express instructions near Copenhagen en route between Hungary and Vallensbaek, Denmark. The consignors claimed against English main contractors who undertook … Continue reading British American Tobacco Denmark A/S v Kazemier Bv: SC 28 Oct 2015

Office of Communications v The Information Commissioner: CA 20 Feb 2009

Grounds for non-disclosure treated cumulatively An applicant had requested disclosure of information regarding the environmental impact of electro-magnetic radiation from mobile phones. The court considered the balance between the need to disclose information and the maintaining of exceptions to disclosure in the public interest, in the context of third party intellectual property rights. The tribunal … Continue reading Office of Communications v The Information Commissioner: CA 20 Feb 2009

Walton v The Scottish Ministers: SC 17 Oct 2012

The appellant, former chair of a road activist group, challenged certain roads orders saying that the respondent had not carried out the required environmental assessment. His claim was that the road had been adopted without the consultation required by the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (‘the SEA Directive’), and that that the scope of the public … Continue reading Walton v The Scottish Ministers: SC 17 Oct 2012

The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd and Another v United Utilities Water Plc: SC 2 Jul 2014

The court was asked: ‘whether a sewerage undertaker under the Water Industry Act 1991 has a statutory right to discharge surface water and treated effluent into private watercourses such as the Respondents’ canals without the consent of their owners.’ Held: The appeals of the sewerage company succeeded. Such discharges were in their nature a trespass, … Continue reading The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd and Another v United Utilities Water Plc: SC 2 Jul 2014

Anisminic Ltd v Foreign Compensation Commission: HL 17 Dec 1968

There are no degrees of nullity The plaintiffs had owned mining property in Egypt. Their interests were damaged and or sequestrated and they sought compensation from the Respondent Commission. The plaintiffs brought an action for the declaration rejecting their claims was a nullity. The Commission replied that the courts were precluded from considering the question … Continue reading Anisminic Ltd v Foreign Compensation Commission: HL 17 Dec 1968

In re Racal Communications Ltd; In Re a Company: HL 3 Jul 1980

Court of Appeal’s powers limited to those Given The jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal is wholly statutory; it is appellate only. The court has no original jurisdiction. It has no jurisdiction itself to entertain any original application for judicial review; it has appellate jurisdiction over judgments and orders of the High Court made by … Continue reading In re Racal Communications Ltd; In Re a Company: HL 3 Jul 1980

Autologic Holdings Plc and others v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: HL 28 Jul 2005

Taxpayer companies challenged the way that the revenue restricted claims for group Corporation Tax relief for subsidiary companies in Europe. The issue was awaiting a decision of the European Court. The Revenue said that the claims now being made by other companies should proceed through the Commissioners who could implement European law directly. The taxpayers … Continue reading Autologic Holdings Plc and others v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: HL 28 Jul 2005

Gladman Commercial Properties v Fisher Hargreaves Proctor and Others: CA 14 Nov 2013

The claimant appealed against the striking out of his claims for fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation as to the suitability for deveopment of two former fire service properties. The court had said that a settlement with co-tortfeasors operated to settle also this matter. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The judge’s conclusion was plainly correct. Longmore, Ryder, … Continue reading Gladman Commercial Properties v Fisher Hargreaves Proctor and Others: CA 14 Nov 2013

Roult v North West Strategic Health Authority: CA 20 May 2009

The parties had settled a personal injury claim, on the basis as expected that the claimant would be provided with accommodation by the local authority. It later turned out that accommodation would not be provided, and he returned to court to request that the order be amended. He now appealed refusal of an order. Held: … Continue reading Roult v North West Strategic Health Authority: CA 20 May 2009

Durkin v DSG Retail Ltd and Another: SC 26 Mar 2014

Cancellation of Hire Finance Contract The claimant had bought a PC with a finance agreement with the respondent. He rejected it a day later, but the respondent refused to cancel the credit agreement. The respondent had threatened to report his non-payment to credit reference companies, which in due course caused the appellant more difficulties. He … Continue reading Durkin v DSG Retail Ltd and Another: SC 26 Mar 2014

Housden and Another v The Conservators of Wimbledon and Putney Commons: CA 18 Mar 2008

The claimants sought to register a right of way over the common by virtue of use over forty years. The defendants denied that they were able to grant an easement inder the 1871 Act, and that therefore no claim could be laid under prescription. Held: Though the 1871 Act contained a wide provision against alienation, … Continue reading Housden and Another v The Conservators of Wimbledon and Putney Commons: CA 18 Mar 2008

RM v The Scottish Ministers: SC 28 Nov 2012

The pursuer was held in a secure mental hospital. When moved to a highersecurity section, he challenged the move. He lost but then was unable to make an apeal as allowed iunder the 2003 Act because the Scottish Parliament had not created the appropriate Regulations. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘the Ministers’ failure to exercise their … Continue reading RM v The Scottish Ministers: SC 28 Nov 2012

Nottinghamshire County Council v Meikle: CA 8 Jul 2004

The claimant was a teacher who had come to suffer a sight disability. She complained that her employers had failed to make reasonable accomodation for her disability, and subsequently she resigned claiming constructive dismissal and damages for discrimination. The employer contended that she had not been dismissed within the section. Held: There had been conflicting … Continue reading Nottinghamshire County Council v Meikle: CA 8 Jul 2004

NT 1 and NT 2 v Google Llc: QBD 13 Apr 2018

Right to be Forgotten is not absolute The two claimants separately had criminal convictions from years before. They objected to the defendant indexing third party web pages which included personal data in the form of information about those convictions, which were now spent. The claims were in Data Protection and the common law tort of … Continue reading NT 1 and NT 2 v Google Llc: QBD 13 Apr 2018

Revenue and Customs v Smallwood and Another: CA 8 Jul 2010

The taxpayers had set up trusts which they said were based in Mauritius allowing them to claim double taxation relief. The Revenue had issued closure notices, confirmed by the SPCT, but overturned by the High Court. The Revenue appealed, saying that the trust was resident in the UK. Held: The appeal suceeded (Patten LJ dissenting … Continue reading Revenue and Customs v Smallwood and Another: CA 8 Jul 2010

Yarl’s Wood Immigration Ltd and Others v Bedfordshire Police Authority: CA 23 Oct 2009

The claimant sought to recover the costs of damage to their centre following a riot, saying that under the 1886 Act, they were liable. It appealed against a ruling that they were unable to claim as a public authority, saying that the 1886 Act was not limited in the way suggested. Held: Though privately operated, … Continue reading Yarl’s Wood Immigration Ltd and Others v Bedfordshire Police Authority: CA 23 Oct 2009