A trial had taken place in which the principal issue was the upper boundary of the plaintiff’s fishery. On appeal the defendant proposed to rely on new evidence discovered among the papers in another action tried over a hundred years before. The papers included proofs of witnesses. The papers had been prepared on behalf of … Continue reading Calcraft v Guest: CA 1898
An application was made for continued contact after a proposed adoption. The mother was young and had herself lost her family and taken into care when very young. Held: Her request for permission to appeal failed. Wall LJ said: ‘I am reasonably confident that in this particular case both sides understand the other’s position. When … Continue reading In re R (A Child): CA 18 Aug 2005
A property comprised a large building let on fully repairing leases of 22 units. The many rain outlets were allowed to become blocked, and water accumulated above one unit before that part of the roof collapsed. The landlord appealed a finding that since the roof was not comprised in any of the leases, there was … Continue reading Tennant Radiant Heat Ltd v Warrington Development Corporation: 1988
The court considered whether the state in which enforcement of a judgment will take place should be the place where the debt is situated upon which it is sought to execute. Held: There was nothing to preclude English courts from granting Mareva type injunctions against defendants extending to assets outside the jurisdiction, but the court … Continue reading Babanaft International Co SA v Bassatne: CA 30 Jun 1988
The standard practice of not awarding costs in children cases overrides the possibility of making a hardship order from Landlord. Costs orders are unusual in custody disputes and no order was to be made against the Legal Aid Board in favour of an unassisted party.Neill LJ said: ‘In the last decade, however, it has become … Continue reading Keller v Keller and Legal Aid Board: CA 21 Oct 1994
If a company continues to trade whilst insolvent but in the expectation that it would return to profitability, it should be regarded as trading not for the benefit of the shareholders, but for the creditors also. If there is a possibility of insolvency, even a written consent will not totally safeguard against a claim from … Continue reading West Mercia Safetywear Ltd v Dodds: CA 1988
The claimant had managed a pension scheme for the respondent company. It now challenged a finding of maladministration of the scheme, with respect to the methods of calculation of discounts applicable to those leaving the scheme. Held: Since the calculations employed would have been carried out for others whether or not the instant pension scheme … Continue reading Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd v CCA Stationery Ltd: ChD 12 Dec 2003
A contract of guarantee was made, but based upon a term of fundamental importance which was mistaken as to the existence of certain machines. Held: The court must first look to the nature of the purported agreement. Steyn J said: ‘Logically, before one can turn to the rules as to mistake, whether at common law … Continue reading Associated Japanese Bank (International) Ltd v Credit du Nord SA: 1988
(High Court of Australia) Legal practitioners – Negligence – Immunity from suit – Applicant sought legal assistance from first respondent, a statutory corporation deemed to be a firm of solicitors, in defence of criminal prosecution – First respondent retained second respondent, a barrister, to appear for applicant at committal proceedings – Applicant pleaded guilty at … Continue reading D’Orta-Ekenaike v Victoria Legal Aid: 10 Mar 2005
The claimant had been the subject of a raid by armed police on his home. The raid was a mistake. He complained that the English legal system, in rejecting his claim had not allowed him to assert that the police action had been disproportionate. Held: The claimant’s right to respect for his home had been … Continue reading Keegan v United Kingdom: ECHR 18 Jul 2006
The parties had disputed the use of a Puss-n-Boots design motif used on garments. The defendant had undertaken to surrender goods using the motif, and not to further infringe the plaintiff’s copyright. Later the defendant had obtained legal advice that the use of a further design it was not infringing, undertook further sales. The plaintiffs … Continue reading Spectravest Inc v Aperknit: ChD 1988
Allegation of seven breaches of freezing order by one defendant. Held: Marcus Smith J summarised the law that applies to establish that there has been a contempt of court by virtue of the breach of such an order: ‘(1) Of critical importance is the order that is said to have been breached. As has been … Continue reading Absolute Living Developments Ltd v DS7 Ltd and Others: ChD 5 Jul 2018
Uber drivers are workers The claimant Uber drivers sought the status of workers, allowing them to claim the associated statutory employment benefits. The company now appealed from a finding that they were workers. Held: The appeal failed (Underhill LJ dissenting) The drivers accepted the control of tee Uber app: ‘Even if drivers are not obliged … Continue reading Uber Bv and Others v Aslam and Others: CA 19 Dec 2018
The six claimants challenged the refusal of the Director of Legal Aid Casework to grant legal aid to the claimants. The cases raise common issues concerning the availability of legal aid in immigration cases under Section 10 of the 2012 Act. Judges: Collins J Citations: [2014] EWHC 1840 (Admin), [2014] WLR(D) 266 Links: Bailii, WLRD … Continue reading Gudanaviciene and Others v Director of Legal Aid Casework and Another: Admn 13 Jun 2014
The parties had been friends and had discussed their sex lives. The defendant took the information to a newspaper and its editor, the second and subsequent defendants who published it. The plaintiff sought damages saying the conversations and disclosures had been confidential. The defendants appealed against a refusal to strike out the claim. Held: The … Continue reading Stephens v Avery: ChD 1988
The store introduced a system whereby when a customer paid by credit card, the charges made to them for card handling were expressed as a separate amount on the receipt. The store then said that VAT was payable only on the net amount allocated to the goods purchased. Held: The till slip was insufficent to … Continue reading Revenue and Customs v Debenhams Retail Plc: CA 18 Jul 2005
An indictment had not been signed despite a clear statutory provision that it should be. The defects were claimed to have been cured by amendment before sentence. Held: The convictions failed. Sections 1(1) and 2(1) of the 1933 Act which provided for a bill of indictment (which had of itself no legal standing save as … Continue reading Clarke, Regina v; Regina v McDaid: HL 6 Feb 2008
The House was asked whether a rating authority could refuse to repay rates which had been paid by mistake. Held: ‘Parliament must have intended the rating authorities to act in the same high principled way expected by the court of its own officers and not to retain rates paid under a mistake of law . … Continue reading Regina v Tower Hamlets London Borough Council, ex parte Chetnik Developments Limited: HL 1988
The fact that a contract was made by an unauthorised insurer contrary to the 1974 Act, which was silent as to the effect of a breach of this statute, did not render the contracts made by the unauthorised insurer void. Rendering transactions void affects both the guilty and the innocent parties. Kerr LJ said: ‘Where … Continue reading Halvanon Insurance Co Ltd v Central Reinsurance Corporation: CA 1988
The claimant had not received the same tax allowance following his wife’s death as would have been received by a woman surviving her husband. That law had been declared incompatible with Human Rtights law as discriminatory, but the respondent refused to make good any claim which had not been originally pursued to the European Court, … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Wilkinson v The Commissioners of Inland Revenue: CA 18 Jun 2003
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 8; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedingsThe requirements identified as flowing from the phrase ‘in accordance with the law’ include this: ‘A norm cannot be regarded as a ‘law’ … Continue reading Olsson v Sweden (No 1): ECHR 24 Mar 1988
Crown Court at Harrow – The Court stayed the criminal proceedings because the defendant was unable to retain counsel because of what was said to be a failure to provide adequate legal aid fees in criminal confiscation proceedings. Judges: Mole QC HHJ Citations: [2008] EW Misc 2 (EWCC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Proceeds of Crime Act … Continue reading P, Regina v: Misc 18 Mar 2008
The Commission sought to recover what it said were payments made on account to the respondent barrister, but only after many years had passed. The Commission argued that time only began to run once it requested repayment. Held: The appeal succeeded. In general, time would run from the earlier date: ‘Save where it is the … Continue reading Legal Services Commission v Henthorn: CA 30 Nov 2011
The court had found that securities had been registered misleadingly in the US. The court held that it could not aid illegality. The court considered the defence of ‘ex turpi cause non oritur actio’. Kerr L.J: ‘The ex turpi causa defence ultimately rests on a principle of public policy that the courts will not assist … Continue reading Euro-Diam Ltd v Bathurst: CA 1988
ECJ 1. Common commercial policy – Protection against dumping practices – Dumping margin – Determination of the normal value – Constructed value – Taking into account a reasonable profit margin (Council Regulation No 2176/84, Art. 2 (3) (b) (ii)) 2. Common commercial policy – Protection against dumping practices – Dumping margin – Comparison between the … Continue reading Sharp Corporation v Council of the European Communities: ECJ 5 Oct 1988
(Court for Crown Cases Reserved) The defendants were charged with conspiracy to defraud a judgment creditor of the fruits of a judgment by dishonestly backdating a dissolution of their partnership to a date prior to a bill of sale given by Railton to Cox in respect of his assets. The trial judge permitted the prosecution … Continue reading Regina v Cox and Railton: 1884
It was possible for a body to apply for legal aid but only if it was genuinely acting in a fiduciary capacity as trustee, not mere contractual representative. Citations: Times 07-Nov-1997, [1997] EWHC Admin 883 Links: Bailii Statutes: Legal Aid Act 1974 2(10), Legal Aid Act 1988 2(10) Cited by: Appeal from – Regina v … Continue reading Regina v Chester and North Wales Legal Aid Area Office Ex Parte Floods of Queensbury Ltd: QBD 7 Nov 1997
The taxpayer sought to set off against tax some pounds 200,000 spent defending professional disciplinary proceedings. The House was asked whether this was ‘money wholly and exclusively laid out or expended for the purposes of the trade.’ Held: Where legal costs had been incurred in the defence of professional misconduct proceedings in order to protect … Continue reading McKnight (Inspector of Taxes) v Sheppard: HL 18 Jun 1999
The defendant had been arrested on suspicion of armed robbery. He asked for a solicitor, but one was refused under section 58 of the 1984 Act. He appealed against his conviction saying that he should have been allowed access to a solicitor. Held: The appeal was allowed. He could not be refused access to a … Continue reading Regina v Samuel: CA 1988
Once a person convicted of an offence on indictment appeals against that conviction and that appeal has been determined on its merits, the court has no jurisdiction to re-open it on fresh evidence coming to light. Lord Lane CJ considered the feasibility of re-opening an appeal: ‘So there is nothing there on the face of … Continue reading Regina v Pinfold: CACD 1988
The defendant was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice by making a false allegation of assault against the police. It was said that he must have made a false statement in his application for legal aid for the purpose of bringing his civil action for assault. The 1974 Act made it an … Continue reading Regina v Snaresbrook Crown Court, ex parte Director of Public Prosecutions: 1988
Legal professional privilege is an interest which falls to be balanced against competing public interests: ‘When a communication was originally privileged and in criminal proceedings privilege is claimed against the defendant by the client concerned or his solicitor, it should be for the defendant to show on the balance of probabilities that the claim cannot … Continue reading Regina v Ataou: CACD 1988
Claim by a wife that she has a beneficial interest in a house registered in the sole name of her husband and that her interest has priority over the rights of a bank under a legal charge executed without her knowledge. The case raises a point of importance in the law of registered conveyancing. Shortly … Continue reading Lloyds Bank plc v Rosset: CA 13 May 1988
Pemberton Leigh said: ‘With respect to the effect of possession merely, we take the law to be, that if there be a tenant in possession of land, a purchaser is bound by all the equities which the tenant could enforce against the vendor, and that the equity of the tenant extends not only to interests … Continue reading Barnhart v Greenshields: PC 5 Dec 1853
The applicant had been committed to prison pending extradition proceedings brought by Hong Kong alleging substantial fraud. He challenged the committal on the grounds that since the allegations involved transmission of funds over international borders, if he had committed the acts alleged in the UK an offence would not have been committed, since the funds … Continue reading Regina v Governor of Pentonville Prison, Ex Parte Osman: QBD 30 Mar 1988
PAC sought to recover excess advance corporation tax paid under a UK system contrary to EU law. It was now agreed that some was repayable but now the quantum. Five issues separated the parties. Issue I: does EU law require the tax credit to be set by reference to the overseas tax actually paid, as … Continue reading Prudential Assurance Company Ltd v Revenue and Customs: SC 25 Jul 2018
A solicitor had undertaken to look after certain passports, but failed to do so. The husband had twice previously kidnapped his children whose custody was an issue before the court. Once the husband regained the passports, he again fled with the children. Held: The court should be prepared to find a duty of care on … Continue reading Al-Kandari v J R Brown and Co: CA 1988
Short issue as to the requirements for valid ‘service’ of a completion notice so as to bring a newly completed building within liability for non-domestic rates. The notice had been served by email where no statutory authority existed for this. Held: The LA’s appeal succeeded. ‘Against the background of the detailed scheme established by or … Continue reading UKI (Kingsway) Ltd v Westminster City Council: SC 17 Dec 2018
The parties had entered into contracts for the construction of dwellings. The contractors sought payment. The council alleged shortcomings in the works. The principal parties had settled the dispute, but a sub-contractor now sought disclosure of the agreement so that it could pursue its own action. The council said that the document was covered by … Continue reading Rush and Tomkins Ltd v Greater London Council: HL 3 Nov 1988
Use of ‘Without Prejudice Save as to Costs” A sub-contractor sought payment from the appellants under a construction contract for additional expenses incurred through disruption and delay. The appellants said they were liable to pay the costs, and were entitled to re-imbursement from the client, the respondent. The claim was compromised but without disclosing the … Continue reading Rush and Tompkins Ltd v Greater London Council and Another: HL 1988
The claimant challenged the Order as regards the prescription of the morning-after pill, asserting that the pill would cause miscarriages, and that therefore the use would be an offence under the 1861 Act. Held: ‘SPUC’s case is that any interference with a fertilised egg, if it leads to the loss of the egg, involves the … Continue reading Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002
Ontario Court of Appeal – ‘In our view a trial judge confronted with an exceptional case where legal aid has been refused and who is of the opinion that representation of the accused by counsel is essential to a fair trial may, upon being satisfied that the accused lacks the means to employ counsel, stay … Continue reading Regina v Rowbotham and others: 1988
Same Sex Partner Entitled to tenancy Succession The protected tenant had died. His same-sex partner sought a statutory inheritance of the tenancy. Held: His appeal succeeded. The Fitzpatrick case referred to the position before the 1998 Act: ‘Discriminatory law undermines the rule of law because it is the antithesis of fairness. It brings the law … Continue reading Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004
The claimant had been near to completing a sentence for serious violence. He now challenged the way in which, as his sentenced approached completion, the defendant had sought an order transferring him to a secure mental hospital. He was served with an order as he left the prison. The court had said that there was … Continue reading TF, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: CA 18 Dec 2008
The claimant agreed for the defendant to repair its fleet of vehicles. The defendant, having fees outstanding, entered the claimants’ premises and removed vehicles saying falsely that they were to be repaired, and then refused to return them. The claimants said that they were not bound by the defendants terms saying that they had not … Continue reading Online Catering Ltd v Acton and Another: CA 10 Feb 2010
The claimant sought equal pay with other, male, warehouse operatives who were doing work of equal value but for more money. The Court of Appeal had held that since other men were also employed on the same terms both as to pay and work, her claim failed. Held: The claim was not disbarred in this … Continue reading Pickstone v Freemans Plc: HL 30 Jun 1988
The principal claimants sold the rights to take photographs of their wedding to a co-claimant magazine (OK). Persons acting on behalf of the defendants took unauthorised photographs which the defendants published. The claimants had retained joint copyright over the photographs and reserved a right to control publication of any particular photographs. In return they made … Continue reading Douglas and others v Hello! Ltd and others (No 3): CA 18 May 2005
Limits to Duty To Investigate The claimant had been convicted of a murder. He continued to protest his innocence, and now sought judicial review of the respondent’s decision not to act upon his requests for further investigations which might prove his innocence. Held: The Appeal failed. Where new information did come to light there was … Continue reading Nunn, Regina (on The Application of) v Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary and Another: SC 18 Jun 2014
The applicants were companies owned largely by Spanish nationals operating fishing vessels within UK waters. The 1988 Act required them to re-register the vessels as British fishing vessels. The sought suspension of enforcement pending a reference to the European Court. Held: This was dispute in law, and an English Court did not have power to … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Transport, Ex parte Factortame Ltd: HL 18 May 1989
Limitation on Making of Anonymity Orders A firm of solicitors sought an order for anonymity in their proceedings against the LAB, saying that being named would damage their interests irrespective of the outcome. Held: The legal professions have no special part in the law as a party to entitle a court to allow a solicitors … Continue reading Regina v Legal Aid Board ex parte Kaim Todner (a Firm of Solicitors): CA 10 Jun 1998
The plaintiff complained that she had been wrongfully arrested by a soldier, since he had not given a proper reason for her detention. Held: The House accepted the existence of an implied power in a statute which would be necessary to ensure the safe and effective exercise of an express power. An unconscious or drugged … Continue reading Murray v Ministry of Defence: HL 25 May 1988
The court considered the extent of the House’s jurisdiction as an appellate court. Section 3 of the 1876 Act provided that an appeal should lie to the House of Lords from ‘any order or judgment of . . Her Majesty’s Court of Appeal in England’. The court of appeal had refused leave to appeal against … Continue reading Lane v Esdaile: HL 5 May 1891
The defendant was fifteen. He was convicted of statutory rape of a 13 year old girl, believing her to be 15. He appealed saying that as an offence of strict liability he had been denied a right to a fair trial, and also that the offence charged was excessive, violating his right to privacy. Held: … Continue reading Regina v G (Secretary of State for the Home Department intervening): HL 18 Jun 2008
ECJ It is for the national courts, in application of the principle of cooperation laid down in Article 5 of the EEC Treaty, to ensure the legal protection which persons derive from the direct effect of provisions of Community law. Any provision of a national legal system and any legislative, administrative or judicial practice which … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame: ECJ 19 Jun 1990
The validity of certain United Kingdom legislation was challenged on the basis that it contravened provisions of the EEC Treaty by depriving the applicants of their Community rights to fish in European waters, and an interlocutory injunction was sought against the Secretary of State to restrain enforcement of that law pending a reference. The House … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame (No 2): HL 11 Oct 1990
Various leases of properties had been granted. Legal and General occupied the property under an arrangement under which they paid no rent. The landlord sought possession, saying that the agreements were licences not tenancies because of the absence . .
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of Art. 8; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings
The first applicant had been convicted and sentenced for murder and subsequent acts of . .
A Zairese national living in Paris, went to the airport to collect, as he said, a parcel of foodstuffs sent from Africa. He could not find this, but was shown a locked trunk, which he was advised to leave alone. He however took possession of it, . .
The Court was asked in what circumstances can damages for breach of contract be assessed by reference to the sum that the claimant could hypothetically have received in return for releasing the defendant from the obligation which he failed to . .
Lord O’Hagan considered the nature of possession as regards land: ‘As to possession, it must be considered in every case with reference to the peculiar circumstances. The acts, implying possession in one case, may be wholly inadequate to prove it in . .
References: [1986] AC 965, [1986] 2 WLR 1051, [1986] 2 All ER 409 Coram: Lord Goff of Chieveley A claim had been made against charterers by the ship owners, and in turn by the charterers against their sub-charterers. Notice of motion were issued after arbitration awards were not accepted. When heard, costs awards were made, … Continue reading Aiden Shipping Co Ltd v Interbulk Ltd (The ‘Vimeira’): HL 1986
References: [2005] HCA 12, (2005) 223 CLR 1, (2005) 214 ALR 92, (2005) 79 ALJR 755 Links: Austlii (High Court of Australia) Legal practitioners – Negligence – Immunity from suit – Applicant sought legal assistance from first respondent, a statutory corporation deemed to be a firm of solicitors, in defence of criminal prosecution – First … Continue reading D’Orta-Ekenaike v Victoria Legal Aid; 10 Mar 2005
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An applicant for costs against Legal Aid fund must file full details of his means. Citations: Times 12-Jul-1993 Statutes: Legal Aid Act 1988 18 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Legal Aid Updated: 05 November 2022; Ref: scu.82593
The Court refused to award costs against the Legal Aid Board, but accepted that, in exceptional circumstances, an order may be made if they had made a contribution by delay which added to the costs of the action. Citations: Times 07-May-1998 Statutes: Legal Aid Act 1988 18 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – … Continue reading Kelly v South Manchester Health Authority: CA 7 May 1998
Counsel appearing at the tribunal had previously sat as a judge with a tribunal member. The opposing party asserted bias in the tribunal. Held: The test in Gough should be restated in part so that the court must first ascertain all the circumstances which have a bearing on the suggestion that the judge was biased. … Continue reading Lawal v Northern Spirit Limited: HL 19 Jun 2003
The plaintiffs had paid deposits for apartments which were to be built. After the developer became insolvent the plaintiffs sought recovery of the deposits, saying they had a lien which preceded the claims of chargees. Held: The one appeal failed and another succeeded. ‘the circumstances in which a purchaser’s lien will arise are not limited … Continue reading Chattey and Another v Farndale Holdings Inc and others: CA 11 Oct 1996
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
The court was asked to pierce the veil of incorporation of a company in the course of ancillary relief proceedings in a divorce. H had failed to co-operate with the court. After a comprehensive review of all the authorities, Munby J said: ‘The common theme running through all the cases in which the court has … Continue reading Ben Hashem v Ali Shayif and Another: FD 22 Sep 2008
(Court of Appeal of Alberta) The court set out a number of propositions as to the intention required for inducing a breach of contract. These included inferred intention and recklessness. The Court of Appeal held as follows: ‘In order to find liability [for inference with contractual relations], a plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant had … Continue reading 369413 Alberta Ltd v Pocklington: 21 Nov 2000
Stirling J: ‘Now at law a contract for the sale of land creates merely a personal obligation between the vendor and purchaser and does not bind the land; in equity such a contract binds the land and that not only as against the vendor, but also as against all persons claiming under him with notice … Continue reading Mercer v Liverpool St Helens and South Lancashire Railway: 1903
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
An order allowing demolition of a listed building was possible even though the building itself remained viable. The function of the courts was to validate the decision making process, not the merits of the decision.Lord Bridge analysed the effect of the requirement to show ‘substantial prejudice’, saying: ‘Whatever may be the position in any other … Continue reading Save Britain’s Heritage v Number 1 Poultry Ltd: HL 28 Feb 1991
The appellants challenged the refusal to grant them injunctions to prevent Roma parking caravans on land they had purchased. Held: Parliament had given to local authorities exclusive jurisdiction on matters of planning policy, but when an authority sought assistance in enforcement by requesting an injunction, the role of the court was not merely supervisory, but … Continue reading Wrexham County Borough Council v Berry; South Buckinghamshire District Council v Porter and another; Chichester District Council v Searle and others: HL 22 May 2003
The defendant appealed his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He had driven his car within a camping site at Hayling Island. He might have been charged with driving on a road or other public place, but was charged with driving on a road. It was too late on appeal to widen the wording. The … Continue reading Dunmill, Regina (On the Application of) v Director Of Public Prosecutions: Admn 5 Jul 2004
Appeals were brought complaining as to the apparent reversal of the burden of proof in road traffic cases and in cases under the Terrorism Acts. Was a legal or an evidential burden placed on a defendant? Held: Lord Bingham of Cornhill said: ‘The overriding concern is that a trial should be fair, and the presumption … Continue reading Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions; Attorney General’s Reference No 4 of 2002: HL 14 Oct 2004
A tenancy of a flat was granted to Miss Vyas. She occupied it with Mr Sharma. They later married. She moved out and was given the tenancy of a council house elsewhere. She then wrote to Brent, the landlords, to say she was no longer sharing with Mr Sharma, that she had moved out and … Continue reading London Borough of Brent v Sharma and Vyas: CA 1992
The plaintiff sought damages for the negligence of the respondent in her care at birth. Years later the family concluded that her condition was a result of negligence. They waited until she was 21, when they mistakenly believed that she became an adult, and made a claim. Held: The defendant’s appeal succeeded. The court had … Continue reading O’Driscoll v Dudley Health Authority: CA 30 Apr 1998
(Extra Division, Inner House) The reclaimers, Roman Catholic midwives working on a labour ward as co-ordinators, sought to assert a right of conscientious objection under the 1967 Act. The respondents said that only those directly involved in the termination of a pregnancy could assert such a right. Held: The midwives’ appeal succeeded. The Act set … Continue reading Doogan and Another v NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board: SCS 24 Apr 2013
The claimant sought to enforce an arbitration award made in 1983. Time might otherwise have expired, but the claimants relied on a fax which they said was an acknowledgement of the debt, and also upon a finding in a Romanian court which created an issue estoppel. Held: A typed signature on a fax was capable … Continue reading Good Challenger Navegante S A v Metalexportimport SA: CA 24 Nov 2003
If ‘suitable alternative accommodation’ was offered in exchange for a protected tenancy, the court need look only for some security for the tenant, not that he should receive equal protection. Where the landlord persuades the Rent Act protected tenants to surrender their old tenancy before taking a new tenancy, the lessees would not have been … Continue reading Laimond Properties Limited v Al-Shakarchi: CA 10 Feb 1998
A logo had been created for the claimants, by an independent sub-contractor. They sought assignment of their legal title, but, knowing of the claimant’s interest the copyright was assigned to a third party out of the jurisdiction. The claimant sought an order for its transfer, and an order was so made. Before it was perfected … Continue reading R Griggs Group Ltd and others v Evans and others (No 2): ChD 12 May 2004
There had been litigation as to the payment due on fees earned during the partnership. One party had destroyed the evidence which would have settled many issues. The court discussed the principle that it should presume all against a destroyer of evidence, and dismissed the appeal. The case was one for an account, and therefore … Continue reading Malhotra v Dhawan: CA 26 Feb 1997
Parties to litigation had made without prejudice disclosures. One party sought to give evidence contradicting the dsclosure, and the other now applied for leave to amend based upon the without prejudice statements to be admitted to demonstrate the perjury. Held: The court had to balance the competing needs of fairness and expedition. There was nothing … Continue reading Savings and Investment Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) v Fincken: CA 14 Nov 2003
The tenant had been joint tenant with his wife of a house. On the breakdown of the marriage, she left and gave notice to quit to the council. The council sought and obtained an order for possession, against which the husband now sought leave to appeal against a refusal of an adjournment so that he … Continue reading Newlon Housing Trust v Alsulaimen: CA 16 Jan 1997
The plaintiff was an eighteen year old girl who had had a friendship with the defendant, aged 28. The friendship broke down and the plaintiff said she would have no more to do with him, but the defendant did not accept this. There were many complaints against the defendant, including assaults, threats of violence, and … Continue reading Khorasandjian v Bush: CA 16 Feb 1993
The owner of a common appealed a finding that the neighbouring land owner had acquired by prescription a right of way across the common to use a track for commercial vehicles (buses) to get to the property (the bus depot). Held: An easement cannot become a right where the use of the route is illegal … Continue reading Hanning and Others v Top Deck Travel Group Ltd: CA 9 Jun 1993
The claimants had sponsored tennis players to wear their logo. The respondents organised tennis tournaments whose intended rules would prevent the display of the claimant’s logos. The claimants said that the restriction interfered with their rights to trade within Europe. Held: The rules were potentially a breach of the claimants rights to trade, and an … Continue reading Adidas-Salomon Ag v Drape and others: ChD 7 Jun 2006
The court was asked as to whether the on-line marketplace site defendant was liable for trade mark infringements by those advertising goods on the web-site. Held: The ECJ had not yet clarified the law on accessory liability in trade mark infringement, and the legislation remained unclear. Many of the direct sellers were held to be … Continue reading L’Oreal Sa and Others v Ebay International Ag and Others: ChD 22 May 2009
The claimant advanced funds to the respondent for him to invest in a bank of which the claimant had insider knowledge. In fact the defendant did not invest the funds, the knowledge was incorrect. The defendant however did not return the sums advanced, saying he need not return it because the contract was for an … Continue reading Patel v Mirza: SC 20 Jul 2016
The vendor company had instructed agents to sell properties on its behalf and had agreed to pay commission on completion of the sale. The sale was agreed with a prospective purchaser introduced by the agents. Before the sale was completed, the vendor company withdrew from the sale because of an objection by one of its … Continue reading Luxor (Eastbourne) v Cooper: HL 1941
The Secretary of State sought a disqualification order. The director argued that one shoul not be made in the absence of some breach of legal duty, some dishonesty should be shown. Held: The answer was a mixture of fact and law. A breach of duty alone was neither necessary nor sufficient. Unfitness by reason of … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Goldberg, Mcavoy: ChD 26 Nov 2003
The tenant appealed against an order granting possession. The tenancy, being held of a mutual housing co-operative did not have security but was in a form restricting the landlord’s right to recover possession, and the tenant resisted saying that it was worded to create a lease for life (applying the LRB case). Held: The tenant’s … Continue reading Berrisford v Mexfield Housing Co-Operative Ltd: SC 9 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
In each case the tenants requested adjournment of the possession proceedings brought against them by the landlord for arrears of rent to allow them time to bring the arrears below the level at which a possession order could be made. In each case it was said that the situation arose from maladministration by the local … Continue reading North British Housing Association Ltd v Matthews, Same v Others: CA 21 Dec 2004
The applicant cleaner sought compensation for unfair dismissal. The issue was whether she was an employee of the respondents, of their client where she did her work, or was not an employee at all. She worked for an agency, who sent her out to offices to work. The court was called upon to give guidance … Continue reading Brook Street Bureau (UK) Ltd v Dacas: CA 5 Mar 2004
Arnold J considered what kinds of unlawfulness would engage the ex turpi causa principle. Held: a relevant illegality was one which was sufficiently serious in all the circumstances of the case, including in particular whether the illegal act was done with knowledge or deliberately. After reviewing the authorities, he said: ‘The main conclusion which I … Continue reading Les Laboratoires Servier and Another v Apotex Inc and Others: PatC 29 Mar 2011
Inner House – The Court analysed the nature of the rights which a tax avoidance scheme, involving an offshore employee benefits trust and family benefit trusts and shares in Isle of Man companies, had conferred on the relevant employees. The employing company had accepted that the sums which it had paid though the employee benefits … Continue reading Aberdeen Asset Management Plc v HM Revenue and Customs: SCS 23 Oct 2013
The court was asked: ‘Was it unlawful for the Secretary of State for Health, the respondent, who had power to make provisions for the functioning of the National Health Service in England, to have failed to make a provision which would have enabled women who were citizens of the UK, but who were usually resident … Continue reading A and B, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: SC 14 Jun 2017
(Scotland) The appellant had variously been convicted in reliance on evidence gathered at different stages before arrest, but in each case without being informed of any right to see a solicitor. The court was asked, as a devolution issue, at what point the duty to allow access to a solicitor arose, and what use might … Continue reading Ambrose v Harris, Procurator Fiscal, Oban, etc: SC 6 Oct 2011
