The appellant had been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and a confiscation order pounds 5.4m with six years in default. Small payments were made later by his receivers, but the interest had taken the total sums due over pounds 8m at the time of payments. The Court was asked say whether when calculating the credit … Continue reading Gibson, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 24 Jan 2018
Judges: Langstaff J Citations: [2010] EWHC 3412 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes:
The claimant had successfully defended a forfeiture case, but had been refused an order for her costs by the magistrates. The magistrates had found that the case had been properly brought under the 2002 Act, even though it had failed. Held: The request for judicial review failed. Citations: [2009] EWHC 762 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: … Continue reading Perinpanathan v City of Westminster Magistrates Court: Admn 10 Mar 2009
The prosecutor sought to bring in documentary evidence in support of its application to commit the defendant for trial on fraud charges. During the course of proceedings the rules changed on admission of such evidence. The prosecutor appealed dismissal of the charges after they had been refused consent to admit the evidnce after the magistrate … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v City of London Magistrates’ Court and Gill: Admn 20 Dec 2005
The claimant sought judicial review of his conviction by the magistrates for contempt of court: ‘The Administrative Court office wrote to Mr Lane on 22nd November, almost a week ago, pointing out that the right of appeal against orders made under section 12 of the 1981 Act consists of a right of appeal to the … Continue reading Lane v Gloucester Magistrates Court: Admn 28 Nov 2006
The claimant was an employee of the company manufacturing alcohol measuring devices. He sought judicial review of decisions by magistrates to require him to attend court to give evidence which would require him to breach obligations of confidence he had undertaken. Held: Judicial review proceedings were available if necessary to quash witness summonses issued under … Continue reading Cunliffe, Regina (on the Application of) v West London Magistrates’ Court: Admn 6 Jul 2006
The defendants were said to have been found in possession of false passports. They successfully argued that the offence charged under the 1981 Act had been repealed by the 2006 Act. The prosecutor argued that a Schedule only came into effect when explicitly made to come into effect. Held: The prosecutor’s appeal succeeded. The 2006 … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service, Regina (on the Application of) v Bow Street Magistrates Court and others: Admn 18 Jul 2006
The defendant had been convicted of speeding. At the time the road was thought to be subject to the 30 mph limit but was in fact subject only to the national speed limit. Her solicitors had delayed their application for judicial review. Held: ‘Where an unjust sentence has been imposed upon a claimant, then, notwithstanding … Continue reading Harrison, Regina (on the Application Of) v Flintshire Magistrates’ Court: Admn 13 Oct 2004
A reverse legal burden applied to defendants accused of an offence under section 17 of the Forestry Act 1967 which, in specified circumstances, created an absolute offence of felling a tree without a felling licence. Clarke LJ said: ‘It is thus clear that, while the general principles are those set out in Edwards, each case … Continue reading Grundy and Co Excavations Ltd and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Halton Division Magistrates Court: Admn 24 Feb 2003
The defendant appealed against the refusal of the Justices to deal with his formal committal to the Crown court in his absence when he was unwell. The magistrates had distinguished between sections 6(1) and 6(2) as to whether the accused was required to be present. Held: The distinction was false: ‘when the Act deals in … Continue reading Regina v Liverpool City Magistrates Court ex parte Quantrell: Admn 19 Jan 1999
The defendant faced a charge of robbery. More than six months after the alleged offence the prosecution sought to add alternate charges including one of common assault. The magistrates declined jurisdiction on the ground that, more than six months having elapsed since the date of the offence, new proceedings for the summary offence of common … Continue reading Regina v Scunthorpe Justices ex parte McPhee and Gallagher: Admn 24 Feb 1998
The police had decided simply to re-lay charges which had already been dismissed after an extensive depositions hearing. The charges were simplified but essentially the same. Held: This was an abuse of process. A court is possessed of a discretion which extends to enable it to stay a second prosecution where that second prosecution can … Continue reading Regina v Horsham Justices, ex parte Reeves (Note): QBD 1980
DONALDSON LJ: Mr. Phillips appeals by case stated against his conviction and a fine of andpound;5 imposed by Mr Loy, the Leeds Stipendiary Magistrates, in September 1978 for failure to comply with a School Attendance Order. It is not the conviction or the fine which irks Mr. Phillips. His irritation, and perhaps even anger, is … Continue reading Phillips v Brown: QBD 20 Jun 1980
Magistrates returning prisoner on licence to prison because of other offences did not impose further sentence by doing so. Citations: Times 21-Jul-1997, [1997] EWHC Admin 589 Statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1991 40, Magistrates Courts Act 1980 133 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 28 April 2022; Ref: scu.88350
An adjournment for sentence is to decide what sentence not whether to sentence. Citations: Ind Summary 24-Apr-1995 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 10-3 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87454
Thomas LJ said: ‘When the magistrates were faced with the application for an amendment, the law was clear and remains clear. The principles are set out in Section 123 and 127 of the Magistrates’ Court Act [1980] and in the single decision of this court to which it is necessary to refer, R v Scunthorpe … Continue reading Williams v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Jul 2009
Application by prosecutor to amend name of defendant company but after time limit for issue. . .
The court heard appeals from rulings under the 2004 Act.
Held: In section 1, the hunting of a wild mammal did not include the search for an animal with a view to flushing it from cover. As to the exemptions, the operation of the 1980 Act and . .
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
Where a youth appears with an adult on a grave crime allegation in an adult court, and the case against the adult does not proceed, the assessment of whether the youth should be committed to the Crown Court must be carried out by the adult court. Citations: Gazette 13-May-1998, [1998] 1 All ER 11 Statutes: … Continue reading Regina v Tottenham Youth Court Ex Parte Fawzy: CACD 13 May 1998
The DPP sought directions as to the issuing of voluntary bills of indictment to have transferred to the Crown Court, allegations of robbery against youths between 12 and 14. Held: A child convicted of an offence for which an adult would receive a custodial sentence can receive a maximum youth training order of 24 months. … Continue reading Regina (Director of Public Prosecutions) v Camberwell Youth Court; Regina (H) v Camberwell Youth Court: QBD 23 Jul 2004
In each case, youths had been committed to the Crown Court for trial but complained that the Youth Court should have dealt with the cases, and sought judicial review of the Youth Court decision. Held: The test for a review of a decision of the Youth Court is whether that decision was wrong. The court … Continue reading Regina (C and Another) v Sheffield Youth Court; Regina (N) v Sheffield Youth Court: QBD 23 Jan 2003
The Crown Court could join charges of indecent assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a youth was sent there for indecency charges. Citations: Times 18-Mar-1998 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 24 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 11 May 2022; Ref: scu.87662
Challenge to Youth court declining jurisdiction. Judges: Ouseley J Citations: [2006] EWHC 564 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 24 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 05 May 2022; Ref: scu.240067
The prosecutor appealed a refusal of the magistrates to commit a youth to the Crown Court for trial. Held: Magistrates should start with a presumption against declining jurisdiction. Where there was a real prospect of a custodial sentence in excess of two years, the magistrates should accept a request to decline jurisdiction, and commit the … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service v Redbridge Youth Court: QBD 8 Jun 2005
The CPS appealed the refusal of the respondent magistrates to decline jurisdiction to hear allegations against a youth. Held: The magistrates had applied the wrong test, asking themselves whether a sentence substantially greater than two years might be imposed. They should have considered merely the threshhold of two years. Also the court had allowed itself … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service (Redbridge Section), Regina (on the Application Of) v Redbridge Youth Court and Another: Admn 8 Jun 2005
‘The issue in the case is whether the words ‘the said sum . . as was due at the time the period of detention was imposed’ in section 79(2) of the Magistrates’ Court Act (MCA) 1980 should be construed in the case of confiscation orders made under the Drug Trafficking Act 1994 (DTA) as meaning … Continue reading Gibson, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: CA 11 Nov 2015
Judges: Gosnell HHJ Citations: [2013] WLR(D) 344, [2014] 1 WLR 2658, [2013] EWHC 2481 (Admin) Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes:
(Jamaica) Customs investigating officers on attended the appellant’s premises in the course of an investigation of fraudulent importation. The officers were met by a hostile crowd, and the claimant did not attend for interview as invited. A search warrant was obtained and executed. The claimants said the warrant was unconstitutional and unlawful and sought return … Continue reading Attorney General v Danhai Williams and others: PC 12 May 1997
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
The defendant had applied for an adjournment of the council’s application for a liability order. The court made an order without considering the application, not having been told of it. On later discovering the application, they set aside the liability order to consider the application. The council objected. Held: Although no statutory basis existed for … Continue reading Liverpool City Council v Pleroma Distribution Ltd: Admn 21 Nov 2002
The defendant appealed by case stated against an order allowing the amendment of an information against him. He was first accused of failing to provide a specimen of breath for testing after being stopped and suspected of driving with excess alcohol. The officer had however accepted that he had a proper reason for not providing … Continue reading Crann v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 27 Feb 2013
The claimant appealed against the refusal of the return of money seized from him by the respondent’s officers under the 2002 Act. The magistrates had declined jurisdiction saying that the complaint was out of time. The claimant said that his request was neither a complaint nor an information so as to fall foul of the … Continue reading Davis v Leicestershire Constabulary: Admn 18 Jul 2012
Prosecutor’s appeal against refusal of adjournment. Judges: Lord Justice Keene Mr Justice Jack Citations: [2006] EWHC 1108 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes:
The magistrates were asked to make a finding against a dog which was kept within their jurisdiction, but where the incident upon which the application was based, had occurred in Scotland. The appellant contended it should have been heard in Scotland because of section 52 of the 1980 Act. Held: The 1871 Act conferred a … Continue reading Shufflebottom v Chief Constable of Greater Manchester: Admn 7 Feb 2003
A defendant indicating guilt at the plea before venue hearing was entitled to greater discount for that guilty plea than a defendant entering plea at the pre trial review at Crown Court. Crown Courts are to reduce sentencing discounts accordingly. Citations: Times 09-Apr-1998, (1998) 2 Cr App R (S) 449, 450, [1998] EWCA Crim 1126 … Continue reading Regina v Rafferty: CACD 30 Mar 1998
The claimant had been detained by the US in Guantanamo Bay suspected of terrorist involvement. He sought to support his defence documents from the respondent which showed that the evidence to be relied on in the US courts had been obtained by torture, and in particular by the hiding of his detention for many months … Continue reading Mohamed, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (No 1): Admn 21 Aug 2008
World-wide freezing orders had been made under the 1982 Act. The defendants were members of a Turkish family with substantial business interests in the telecommunications industry. In breach of orders made in the US some defendants had sought to hide their assets. They had failed to respond as required to orders to disclose their assest, … Continue reading Motorola Credit Corporation v Uzan and others (No 2): CA 12 Jun 2003
The defendant was accused of burglary. On discovery by the householder, he resisted detention. The magistrates took that as violence in the course of the burglary, and sent the case to the Crown Court. Held: The force used by the occupier was lawful, and the resistance was part and parcel of the burglary for the … Continue reading Regina v McGrath: CACD 30 Jun 2003
Judges: Langstaff J Citations: [2010] EWHC 661 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes:
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
The court objected to the insistence on leaving the burden throughout a prosecution on the defendant on the ground that ‘the discharge of an evidential burden proves nothing – it merely raises an issue’. The House emphasised the special nature of the provisions, saying there was little doubt that the occasions upon which a statute … Continue reading Regina v Hunt (Richard): HL 1987
The court considered three appeals where there had been a procedural irregularity, and where the judge had taken some step to overcome that irregularity. In two cases the Crown Court judge had reconstituted himself as a district judge to correct a decision before going on with the case. Held: The court should consider first whether … Continue reading Ashton , Regina v; Regina v Draz; Regina v O’Reilly: CACD 5 Apr 2006
The court considered the principles for sentencing for sexual assaults by youths and the decision of magistrates whether to decline jurisdiction. Leveson J: ‘That the position would be different for an older person is obvious. Had an adult behaved in this manner to a 13 year old boy, sexual gratification would have been an obvious … Continue reading H and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Southampton Youth Court: Admn 2 Dec 2004
In 2002 the SFO was investigating allegations that drug companies were selling generic drugs, including penicillin-based antibiotics and warfarin, to the National Health Service at artificially sustained prices. To further the investigation the SFO obtained search warrants and executed them. The company challenged the release of the documents recovered to other government departments. They had … Continue reading Regina (Kent Pharmaceuticals Ltd) v Serious Fraud Office: CA 11 Nov 2004
The concept of forfeiture in the Act was dependent upon the seizure of goods. The Act also made a distinction between the initial detention of goods and formal seizure. The six months time limit under the Magistrates Courts Act was calculated from seizure not detention. The seizure was challenged by a notice of claim. Until … Continue reading Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Venn and Others: QBD 11 Dec 2001
The defendant company traded as A and J Bull Containers. They hired out a builder’s skip which was left out, unlit, on the highway at night. A cyclist rode into it and died. An information was laid against ‘A J Bull Ltd’, charging an offence under the Highways Act 1980. The hearing took place after … Continue reading Marco (Croydon) Ltd v Metropolitan Police Commissioner: QBD 1983
The court considered the power to require magistrates to state a case on an interloctory issue. Held: Where the Justices had not made a final determination they had no jurisdiction to state a case. Section 111 applies only to a final determination of a case. Citations: [1985] QB 920 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 11191) … Continue reading Streames v Copping: 1985
F who was 16 years old when he appeared before the juvenile court charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. The justices decided to proceed summarily. No plea was taken. After being released on bail, he later appeared before a different bench, facing additional charges. The justices purported to reverse the previous decision. … Continue reading Regina v Newham Juvenile Court ex parte F (A Minor): QBD 1986
A woman protester repeatedly climbed over the perimeter fencing into a military base. Held: The defendant had a choice between agreeing to be bound over and going to prison. Her refusal to agree to be bound over had an immediate and obvious penal consequence without any intervening stage. The threat of imprisonment was no doubt … Continue reading Percy v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 13 Dec 1994
The defendant had pleaded guilty by post, but on being called to court to face a possible disqualification from driving he was refused the chance to re-open his plea. The action had been begun under the written charge procedure introduced by the 2003 Act. The notification he had been given said that the conviction dated … Continue reading Rymer v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 21 Jul 2010
The defendants appealed by case stated from convictions under the 2006 Act arising from the treatment of cows including at a slaughterhouse. Arguments were put that the prosecution was time barred. Held: The court recognsed the limited role of the investigators and the CPS who would eventually institute proceedings. Time started running under s.31(1)(b) of … Continue reading Riley and Others v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 18 Oct 2016
The claimant had been imprisoned, but his conviction was later overturned. He had been a victim of a gross abuse of executive power. The British authorities had acted in breach of international law and had been guilty of ‘a blatant and extremely serious failure to adhere to the rule of law with regard to the … Continue reading Mullen, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 29 Apr 2004
In each case the local authority sought to recover possession of its own land. In the Lambeth case, they asserted this right as against an overstaying former tenant, and in the Leeds case as against gypsies. In each case the occupiers said that the recovery of possession interfered with their right respect for their family … Continue reading Kay and Another v London Borough of Lambeth and others; Leeds City Council v Price and others and others: HL 8 Mar 2006
Ban on Prisoners talking to Journalists unlawful The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without undertakings from the journalists not to publish any element of the interview. … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for The Home Department Ex Parte Simms: HL 8 Jul 1999
The defendant had been convicted of dangerous driving. The victim’s mother complained of the leniency of the sentence, and the magistrates purported to re-open the sentencing under section 142, saying they had been unaware of the very serious nature of the injuries caused. Held: The extent to which a victim’s views could be allowed for … Continue reading Holme v Liverpool City Justices and Another: Admn 6 Dec 2004
In making its sentencing decision the Youth Court should take into account any undisputed fact put forward in mitigation, such as the good character of the accused, and the Youth Court must consider the sentencing powers of the Crown Court under section 91(3) and the guidance that has been given as to their exercise – … Continue reading C and D, Regina (on the Application of) v Sheffield Youth Court and Another: Admn 23 Jan 2003
Hughes LJ, Beatson J [2012] EWHC 4381 (Admin) Bailii
The defendant effectively sought to appeal against his conviction on his own guilty plea to possession of wild bird eggs. They had been collected before possession itself was made an offence, and he had received them before the 2004 Act, after which only the person originally collecting an egg could lawfully possess it. He said … Continue reading Dodsworth v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 8 Nov 2010
The applicants had been made subject of anti-social behaviour orders. They challenged the basis upon which the orders had been made. Held: The orders had no identifiable consequences which would make the process a criminal one. Civil standards of evidence therefore applied, and hearsay evidence was admissible. Nevertheless, the test as to whether it was … Continue reading Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at Manchester Ex parte McCann and Others: HL 17 Oct 2002
Magistrates have no Power to redo Mode of Trial The prosecutor appealed against a refusal of the magistrates to revisit their decision on mode of trial. Held: The court had no inherent jurisdiction to revisit their decision, and nor did the sections referred to grant any. Craske would have to be revisited by the House … Continue reading Regina (Director of Public Prosecutions) v Camberwell Green Youth Court ex parte C W K and A: QBD 5 Dec 2003
Presumption against sending Youths to Crown Court W was a youth accused with another of robbery. The District judge magistrate had sent him for trial at the Crown Court although finding ‘[W] is 14 years of age with no previous conviction and is not a persistent offender.’ Held: Woolf LJ approved a statement: ‘in respect … Continue reading W, Regina (on The Application of) v Southampton Youth Court: Admn 23 Jul 2002
Common Law – Public Nuisance – Extent The House considered the elements of the common law offence of public nuisance. One defendant faced accusations of having sent racially offensive materials to individuals. The second was accused of sending an envelope including salt to a friend as a joke. The envelope had leaked causing a terrorist … Continue reading Regina v Rimmington; Regina v Goldstein: HL 21 Jul 2005
The claimant had received two injuries resulting in his total blindness. He sought an order of certiorari against the respondent who had found only a 20% disability. The tribunal responded that its decision, under the Act was final. Held: In its decision the tribunal had made reference to the expert medical report and thereby had … Continue reading Regina v Medical Appeal Tribunal ex parte Gilmore; Re Gilmore’s Application: CA 25 Feb 1957
The pursuer sought damages after her husband’s death from lung cancer. She said that the defenders were negligent in having continued to sell him cigarettes knowing that they would cause this. Held: The action failed. The plaintiff had not proved that the smoking of cigarettes was the cause of the lung cancer, and it was … Continue reading McTear v Imperial Tobacco Ltd: OHCS 31 May 2005
The claimant said that she had been detained in excess of the period allowed under the 1987 Regulations, and that that detention was unlawful. She now appealed against the striking out of her claim. Held: Her action failed. The availablility of a remedy by way of judicial review for a breach of statutory duty is … Continue reading Olutu v Home Office: CA 29 Nov 1996
The Claimant aged 14 appeared before the Magistrates’ Court with a 20 year old Co-Defendant. The Magistrates declined jurisdiction in his case and the Claimant indicated Not Guilty pleas. The Magistrates concluded that it was in the interest of . .
The claimant having been released on licence from a prison sentence refused to comply with the conditions of his licence on the ground that he was entitled to be released unconditionally. He was returned to prison. The Divisional Court dismissed his . .
The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without . .
The defendant appealed against his conviction, saying that his counsel and solicitors had withdrawn at the last moment on the grounds of professional embarrassment, the defendant having altered his instructions. New lawyers were unwilling to assist . .
Our law-index is a substantial selection from our database. Cases here are restricted in number by date and lack the additional facilities formerly available within lawindexpro. Please do enjoy this free version of the lawindex. Case law does not ‘belong’ to lawyers. Judgments are made up of words which can be read and understood (if … Continue reading law index
