Application for renewal of temporary suspension of doctor. Citations: [2007] EWHC 1031 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 41A(7) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Professions Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.252392
Application to extend doctor’s interim suspension order. Citations: [2007] EWHC 1930 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 41A(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Professions Updated: 05 December 2022; Ref: scu.258797
The applicant had been detained after a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder and convictions for rape. He had applied for discharge, but before the hearing the doctor had said he no longer opposed his release. After the hearing but before being released the detention was re-instated, and the patient again complained at proposals to treat … Continue reading B, Regina (on the Application Of) v SS (Responsible Medical Officer) and others: CA 26 Jan 2006
PC (The Professional Conduct Committee of the GMC) The doctor appealed a finding of serious professional misconduct. He sought to practice in a controversial field, the ‘andropause’. He accepted patients through his web-site, and gave advice. A patient was also being treated by another GP, who disagreed with the diagnosis. Complaint was made that he … Continue reading Dr Carruthers v The General Medical Council: PC 3 Jun 2003
PC Professional Conduct Committee of the GMC. The applicant had been suspended from practice. He had been struck off in Australia, and moved to the UK to practice. The GMC sought to suspend him because of the findings in Australia. After his initial suspension new procedures came in, and an interim order was made imposing … Continue reading Dr Marinovich v The General Medical Council: PC 24 Jun 2002
PC (The Professional Conduct Committee of the GMC) The appellant had applied to the Committee to be restored to the medical register. He was not represented. The committee had required him at the same time, to present his application, and also to make representations as to why he should not be prevented from making further … Continue reading Dr Adil Mahmud Raji v The General Medical Council: PC 19 Mar 2003
Judges: Nicola Davies J DBE Citations: [2010] EWHC 2558 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 41A(10) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See Also – Jooste v General Medical Council and Others EAT 4-Jul-2012 EAT RACE DISCRIMINATION – IndirectPRACTICE AND PROCEDUREAppellate jurisdiction/reasons/Burns-BarkeCostsThe Employment Judge correctly struck out the Claimant’s claims as having no . … Continue reading Jooste v General Medical Council: Admn 19 Oct 2010
The appellant’s application for full registration as a qualified medical practitioner had been refused by the GMC after a five-year maximum period of limited registration. His application for full registration in accordance with section 25 of the Medical Act 1983 was refused by the GMC. He then applied to the Review Board for Overseas Qualified … Continue reading Khan v General Medical Council: CA 11 Apr 1994
Judges: Lloyd Jones J Citations: [2011] EWHC 327 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 40 30D(2) Health Professions Updated: 03 September 2022; Ref: scu.430084
The doctor appealed findings of unprofessional misconduct in respect of three patients. Held: The court could identify no error of law in the findings, and the committee had evidence before them to support the findings they had made. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Wall Citations: [2003] EWHC 2342 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 … Continue reading Biswas v General Medical Council: Admn 16 Oct 2003
Citations: [2003] EWHC 3200 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 40(1)(aa) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Professions Updated: 03 August 2022; Ref: scu.191224
The doctor complained of his suspension under fitness for practice rules. He had been found to have had a sexual relationship with a patient. He said that he should have been given opportunity to address the fault through remedial action. Held: Remedial assistance may be of assistance on matters such as clinical errors of lack … Continue reading Yeong v General Medical Council: Admn 28 Jul 2009
The appellant consultant anaesthetist appealed against the decision of the respondent’s Fitness to Practice Panel to impose conditions on his registration. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘Any approach to the issue of whether a doctor’s fitness to practice should be regarded as ‘impaired’ must take account of ‘the need to protect the individual patient, and the … Continue reading Cohen v General Medical Council: Admn 19 Mar 2008
Citations: [2007] EWHC 2918 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 Health Professions Updated: 12 July 2022; Ref: scu.261930
(The Health Committee of the GMC) The GMC had decided that the registration of the appellant in the register of medical practitioners should remain suspended indefinitely as her fitness to practise had been found to be seriously impaired. She appealed. Held: The Act limited the jurisdiction of the Council under the Act to appeals on … Continue reading Dr Stefan v The General Medical Council (The Health Committee of the GMC) (No 2): PC 6 Mar 2002
The appellant challenged being struck off the medical register. He had given expert evidence in a criminal case which was found misleading and to have contributed to a wrongful conviction for murder. Held: The evidence though mistaken was given in good faith and the penalty was disproportionate and was set aside. The evidence which had … Continue reading Meadow v General Medical Council: Admn 17 Feb 2006
(The Health Committee of the GMC) The doctor appealed an order extending his suspension from the medical register for a further period of twelve months. They considered that because of his continuing alcohol problems, he was not fit to practice. He had not complied with requests to be medically examined. When he later co-operated, he … Continue reading Dr Anjaneyulu v The General Medical Council (Appeal No 49 of 2001): PC 19 Dec 2001
The taxpayer was a barrister. To comply with Bar guidance on court dress, she wore, in court and in and to and from chambers black dresses, suits and shoes and white blouses. The clothing were perfectly ordinary articles suitable for everyday wear. But for her professional requirements she would have not purchased those clothes. She … Continue reading Mallalieu v Drummond: HL 27 Jul 1983
Where a doctor sought to have lifted an extension to his suspension, the court should start from the position that the suspension was currently in place before deciding whether it needed altering. However, ‘The terms of subsection 10 indicate that the appeal to the Court is a full appeal, that is to say, the Court … Continue reading Walker, Regina (on the Application of) v General Medical Council: Admn 15 Aug 2003
(Professional Conduct Committee of the GMC) The doctor appealed a decision of the Council removing his name from the register. He was criticised in four cases of not attending patients at home. The question was whether removal was the appropriate remedy. In this case removal was inappropriate. Held: The council had failed to take account … Continue reading Dr Hossain v The General Medical Council: PC 2 Oct 2001
Decisions of the Professional Conduct Committee of the GMC should now be accompanied by explanations. Earlier practice of issuing a bare decision had been superseded by general practice in decision making bodies, and also by detailed rules governing the practice of the committee. Fairness required reasons to be given so that the disciplined doctor could … Continue reading Dr Gnanapragasam Anton Joseph Selvanathan v The General Medical Council: PC 11 Oct 2000
The appellant challenged a finding that it was responsible for the loss of medical equipment being transported from Tehran to the UK, and of failing to insure it as required, the contractual term exempting it from responsibility being an unreasonable one under the Act, since the obligations imposed on the respectve parties were imbalanced. Held: … Continue reading Overseas Medical Supplies Limited v Orient Transport Services Limited: CA 20 May 1999
The claimant said that the procedure of the fitness to practice panel was unfair in that representations had been accepted by the panel from an expert witness without him having an opportunity to challenge or comment on that evidence. Held: Any advice accepted by the tribunal must allow for submissions from the parties. The appeal … Continue reading Watson v General Medical Council: Admn 26 Aug 2005
ECHR Judgment (Just Satisfaction) – Non-pecuniary damage – finding of violation sufficient; Costs and expenses award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedings. Citations: 7496/76, 7299/75 Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 6 Citing: See Also – Le Compte, Van Leuven And De Meyere v Belgium ECHR 23-Jun-1981 Hudoc The Court was … Continue reading Albert And Le Compte v Belgium: ECHR 24 Oct 1983
The applicants were Belgian nationals and medical practitioners. Dr Le Compte was suspended from practising medicine for two years for an offence against professional discipline. He appealed to the Appeals Council, alleging violations of Article 6. In his absence the Appeals Council rejected his case and substituted for the two year suspension a direction to … Continue reading Albert And Le Compte v Belgium (Article 50): ECHR 24 Oct 1983
Citations: [2006] EWHC 570 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 41A(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Professions Updated: 04 May 2022; Ref: scu.240061
The House was asked whether the grant of special vouchers under the special voucher scheme introduced came within section 29 of the 1975 Act. Acts performed pursuant to a government function did not come within the meaning of service. Discrimination laws did not apply to acts done on behalf of the Crown which were of … Continue reading Regina v Entry Clearance Officer, Bombay, Ex parte Amin: HL 1983
It was not necessary for doctors to apply to the court for a declaration authorising a sterilisation procedure for an inpatient in a mental hospital, if two medical practitioners are satisfied that (1) the procedure is necessary for therapeutic purposes, (2) the procedure is in the best interests of the patient, and (3) there is … Continue reading Re GF (medical treatment): FD 1992
A seedsman sought to rely upon an exclusion clause preventing any claim by a purchaser by way of set off against its sales invoices. The House was asked whether a contractual term was ‘fair and reasonable’ within the meaning of section 55 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979. Held: Where a tribunal applies a … Continue reading George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd: HL 1983
The claimant had been compulsorily detained under the Act. He complained that the detention and compulsory medication infringed his rights, and amongst other things breached his religious beliefs. Held: This was an exceptional case requiring attendance of the doctors to allow the testing of their evidence. The administration of anti-psychotic medication to PS would not … Continue reading PS, Regina (on the Application of) v Responsible Medical Officer, Dr G and others: Admn 10 Oct 2003
Doctor’s appeal from decision of Fitness to Practice Panel against both the finding of impairment and the sanction of erasure. Judges: Mostyn J Citations: [2015] EWHC 301 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 40 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Professions Updated: 29 March 2022; Ref: scu.593098
Liability in Damages on Statute Breach to be Clear Damages were to be awarded against a Local Authority for breach of statutory duty in a care case only if the statute was clear that damages were capable of being awarded. in the ordinary case a breach of statutory duty does not, by itself, give rise … Continue reading X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council; M (A Minor) and Another v Newham London Borough Council; Etc: HL 29 Jun 1995
The Honourable Mr Justice Dove [2021] EWHC 3286 (Admin) Bailii, Judiciary Medical Act 1983 41A(10) England and Wales Health Professions Updated: 06 January 2022; Ref: scu.670396
Appeal against decision of a Fitness to Practise Panel holding that the Appellant’s fitness to practise as a medical practitioner was impaired by reason of his misconduct. It directed that his name be erased from the Medical Register under section 35D of the Act. Acting as a locum at an AandE hospital attending a young … Continue reading TZ v General Medical Council: Admn 17 Apr 2015
Application to terminate an interim order of suspension made by the Interim Orders Panel of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. Lang J [2015] EWHC 847 (Admin) Bailii Medical Act 1983 41A England and Wales Health Professions Updated: 29 December 2021; Ref: scu.545008
Power of FTT to deprive patient of liberty Two patients who had been confined to a secure hospital, appealed against orders which would continue to restrict their liberty upon being conditionally released. The parties now disputed the jurisdiction of the FTT to make such an order. Held: The orders made by the UT were set … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Justice v MM: CA 29 Mar 2017
The appellant Khera’s father had obtained leave to settle in the UK. The appellant obtained leave to join him, but did not disclose that he had married. After his entry his wife in turn sought to join him. The appellant was detained as an illegal immigrant. Held: The term ‘illegal immigrant’ included anyone entering unlawfully. … Continue reading Khera v Secretary of State for The Home Department; Khawaja v Secretary of State for The Home Department: HL 10 Feb 1983
The appellant doctor had been suspended from practice by decision of the respondent. It was alleged that she had allowed her husband, himself a suspended practitioner to consult with patients in breach of that suspension. Having found the allegation proved, she had been suspended immediately, and without the opportunity to make representations. Although the rules … Continue reading Gupta v General Medical Council: Admn 17 Jul 2001
The doctor sought to end an order temporarily suspending his registration. He had been accused of dishonesty in his practice records, and of making false allegations against a fellow doctor. The suspension was pending the hearing. He was undergoing retraining, and said that the interim suspension would make it impossible to continue. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Bradshaw v General Medical Council: Admn 4 Jun 2010
The BMA sought to challenge the validity of the rules governing the procedure of Fitness to Practice panels. In particular the BMA challenged the new absence of a requirement that the panel’s legal advice and assistance be available to the parties. Held: The claim failed: ‘I am wholly unconvinced that a legally qualified chair has … Continue reading The British Medical Association, Regina (on the Application of) v The General Medical Council and Another: Admn 4 May 2016
Unlawful Detention pending Deportation An offender had been recommended for deportation following conviction. He had served his sentence and would otherwise have been released on parole. He had no passport and no valid travel documents. He complained that the length of time for which he had then been detained was too long and that the … Continue reading Regina v Governor of Durham Prison, ex parte Hardial Singh: QBD 13 Dec 1983
The parties had contracted for the sale of land. The purchaser secured the rescinding of the contract for innocent misrepresentation. A notice of a relevant planning application had not been passed on by the seller’s solicitors. The seller appealed saying that the judge had been wrong to find that condition 7.1.3 of the Standard Conditions … Continue reading Cleaver and Others v Schyde Investments Ltd: CA 29 Jul 2011
depner_gmcEAT2013 EAT Race Discrimination : Discrimination By Other Bodies – The Employment Judge did not err in holding that the Employment Tribunal did not have jurisdiction to hear a doctor’s claims of discrimination and victimisation made under the Race Relations Act 1976. The claims were of her suspension from registration and imposition of immediate suspension … Continue reading Depner v General Medical Council: EAT 14 Feb 2013
No Doctor’s appeal out of time. The court was asked whether it had jurisdition to hear an appeal out of time against a suspension of the claimant medical practitioner from practice made on the basis that his fitness to practise was impaired by reason of misconduct and his adverse physical and mental healthHeld: The ourt … Continue reading El-Huseini v General Medical Council: Admn 23 Sep 2016
EAT Race Discrimination : DirectDetrimentDiscrimination by other bodiesAt a pre-hearing review an Employment Judge held that the Employment Tribunal had no jurisdiction to determine a doctor’s claims of race discrimination and harassment. She held that the Medical Act 1983 and judicial review provided ‘an appeal or proceedings in the nature of an appeal’ from such … Continue reading Uddin v General Medical Council and Others: EAT 14 Feb 2013
The GMC appealed against the dismissal of its proceedings for professional misconduct against the respondent doctor, whose expert evidence to a criminal court was the subject of complaint. The doctor said that the evidence given by him was privileged. Held: Immunity given in a criminal court did not provide an excuse before a professional body … Continue reading General Medical Council v Professor Sir Roy Meadow, Attorney General: CA 26 Oct 2006
(The Health Committee of the GMC) The appellant challenged a decision of the respondent extending his suspension from the register for a further twelve months. He had been suspended against a finding that he did not have an appropriate insight into . .
The claimant suffered a congenital degenerative brain condition inevitably resulting in a future need to receive nutrition and hydration by artificial means. He was concerned that a decision might be taken by medical practitioners responsible for . .
(Professional Conduct Committee of the GMC) The doctor appealed an order striking him off the register for unprofessional conduct. He complained that the Committee had a majority of lay rather than professional members, one doctor having withdrawn . .
Nicol J considered the court’s jurisdiction under section 41A(10) and said: ‘Both parties agreed that the role of the Court was not confined to exercising a judicial review type jurisdiction. In other words, the power to terminate Dr Sandler’s . .
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Hudoc The Court was faced with a disciplinary sanction imposed on doctors which resulted in their suspension for periods between 6 weeks and 3 months: ‘Unlike certain other disciplinary sanctions that might have been imposed on the applicants (warning, censure and reprimand . .), the suspension of which they complained undoubtedly constituted a direct and … Continue reading Le Compte, Van Leuven And De Meyere v Belgium: ECHR 23 Jun 1981
Citations: [2007] EWHC 2972 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Medical Act 1983 41A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See also – Shiekh v The General Dental Council Admn 16-Jan-2009 The dentist had been accused of participating in a fraud involving making false claims for travel expenses. Held: The allegation was insufficient to justify suspension of … Continue reading Shiekh, Regina (On the Application of) v General Dental Council: Admn 9 Nov 2007
No Judicial Review of Decisions of Private Body Despite the wide range of its powers, the disciplinary committee of the Jockey Club remains a domestic tribunal. Judicial review is not available to a member. The relationship is in contract between the club and its member. Sir Thomas Bingham MR said: ‘No serious racecourse management, owner, … Continue reading Regina v Disciplinary Committee of the Jockey Club, ex parte Aga Khan: CA 4 Dec 1992
The claimant complained of his recall to hospital. He had in 1991 been foundf not guilty of murder by reason of his insanity, and had been detained in a secure hospital, but then released conditionally. He said the recall on medical grounds was improper where the condition now complained of was not that under which … Continue reading Regina on the Application of A l v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 20 Jan 2005
Each claimant sought damages after being exposed to asbestos dust. The defendants resisted saying that the injury alleged, the development of pleural plaques, was yet insufficient as damage to found a claim. Held: (Smith LJ dissenting) The defendants appeals succeeded. The claimants had three possible claims, none of which on their own would amount to … Continue reading Rothwell v Chemical and Insulating Co Ltd and Another: CA 26 Jan 2006
The applicant sought to leave to appeal against refusal of his challenge to the registration of land as a green. Held: The 1965 Act did not limit the registration of greens to those which were registered by 3 January 1970. The Commons Commissioners have no jurisdiction in a dispute arising under section 13. The 1969 … Continue reading Whitmey, Regina (on the Application of) v the Commons Commissioners: CA 21 Jul 2004
Women had taken extended maternity leave, but having followed the procedures, had been unable for illness to return to work on the day they had notified. The employer then asserted that the claimants had resigned. The EAT had confirm that they had not been unfairly dismissed. Held: The legislation provided ‘special protection for the security … Continue reading Kwik Save Stores Limited v Greaves; Crees v Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited: CA 20 Jan 1998
The applicant was a discretionary life prisoner compulsorily detained in a mental hospital. His tariff had now expired. If not detained under the 1983 Act he would now be entitled to a review. He argued that there should be a joint hearing. Held: There is no necessary breach of the requirement of a speedy hearing … Continue reading P, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 11 Dec 2003
The claimant sought damages for false imprisonment. The mental health tribunal had ordered his release, but the respondent had delayed that release. Held: False imprisonment is established on proof of imprisonment without lawful authority. An authority might commit both the tort of false imprisonment and infringe a patient’s human rights, but not all infringements of … Continue reading Regina (W) v Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council: Admn 13 Feb 2003
Even where ‘jurisdictional organs of professional associations’ are set up: ‘Nonetheless, in such circumstances the Convention calls at least for one of the two following systems: either the jurisdictional organs themselves comply with the requirements of article 6(1), or they do not so comply but are subject to subsequent control by a judicial body which … Continue reading Le Compte, Van Leuven And De Meyere v Belgium: ECHR 18 Oct 1982
X suffered both severe anorexia and alcoholism. She had in the past been repeatedly and compulsorily admitted to hospital for treatment, but her doctors considered that whilst this might be life extending treatment it had proved ineffective and unethical. They sought a declaration that they may not be obliged to offer the treatment again. The … Continue reading A NHS Foundation Trust v Ms X (By Her Litigation Friend, The Official Solicitor): CoP 8 Oct 2014
The claimant was disabled, and sought sterilisation because she feared the additional difficulties she would face as a mother. The sterilisation failed. She sought damages. Held: The House having considered the issue in MacFarlane only recently it was inappropriate to change the rules set down in that case. Nothing had been put forward to argue … Continue reading Rees v Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust: HL 16 Oct 2003
Child born after vasectomy – Damages Limited Despite a vasectomy, Mr MacFarlane fathered a child, and he and his wife sought damages for the cost of care and otherwise of the child. He appealed a rejection of his claim. Held: The doctor undertakes a duty of care in regard to the prevention of pregnancy: it … Continue reading MacFarlane and Another v Tayside Health Board: HL 21 Oct 1999
The five applicants had lived in the UK for at least three years while attending school or college. All five were subject to immigration control, four had entered as students with limited leave to remain for the duration of their studies, and the fifth had entered with his parents for settlement and had indefinite leave … Continue reading Regina v Barnet London Borough Council, Ex parte Shah: HL 16 Dec 1982
The US established a base at Menwith Hill in Yorkshire, and provided educational services through its staff to staff families. The claimant a teacher employed at the base alleged that a report on her was defamatory. The defendant relied on state immunity. Held: A claim in libel was defeated by a claim of sovereign immunity. … Continue reading Holland v Lampen-Wolfe: HL 20 Jul 2000
The claimant’s daughter had committed suicide after being given home leave on a secure ward by the respondent mental hospital. A claim in negligence had been settled, but the parents now appealed refusal of their claim that the hospital had failed in its article 2 duty to respect her right to life. Held: The decision … Continue reading Rabone and Another v Pennine Care NHS Trust: CA 21 Jun 2010
A jury had found, under section 4(5) of the 1964 Act as amended, that the defendant was unfit to plead. The court considered section 5 of the 1964 Act. Held: A judge of the Crown Court is obliged under the section to make a mandatory order containing restrictions on the liberty of the accused person … Continue reading Regina v Grant: CACD 22 Nov 2001
The claimant’s daughter had committed suicide whilst on home leave from a hospital where she had stayed as a voluntary patient with depression. Her admission had followed a suicide attempt. The hospital admitted negligence but denied that it owed her a positive obligation to protect life under Article 2. Held: The claimants’ appeal succeeded. The … Continue reading Rabone and Another v Pennine Care NHS Foundation: SC 8 Feb 2012
Procedures on Withdrawal of Life Support Treatment The patient had been severely injured in the Hillsborough disaster, and had come to be in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). The doctors sought permission to withdraw medical treatment. The Official Solicitor appealed against an order of the Court of Appeal permitting the action. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading Airedale NHS Trust v Bland: HL 4 Feb 1993
Inherent High Court power may restrain Publicity The claimant child’s mother was to be tried for the murder of his brother by poisoning with salt. It was feared that the publicity which would normally attend a trial, would be damaging to S, and an application was made for reporting restrictions to be applied to avoid … Continue reading In re S (a Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): HL 28 Oct 2004
The claimant was a Zimbabwean National who was to be removed from the country. He was unlawfully held in detention pending removal. He sought damages for false imprisonment. He had been held over a long period pending decisions in the courts on the legality of returning failed asylum applicants to Zimbabwe. Held: Despite allegations of … Continue reading SK, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 25 Jan 2008
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
The claimants had been convicted of murder, but their tariffs had not yet been set when the 2003 Act came into effect. They said that the procedure under which their sentence tarriffs were set were not compliant with their human rights in that the tarriff was set by reference back to a judge without a … Continue reading Hammond, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 1 Dec 2005
The club regulated greyhound racing. The claimant had complained that its disciplinary proceedings had been conducted unfairly. He said that a panel member had an interest as veterinary surgeon in the proceedings at the stadium at which the alleged offence occurred. Held: The appeal by the club succeeded. No bias whether real or apparent had … Continue reading Flaherty v National Greyhound Racing Club Ltd: CA 14 Sep 2005
Appeal against order displacing applicant as best friend of mental health patient. Citations: [2005] EWCA Civ 587 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 829 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – MH v Secretary of State for the Department of Health and others HL 20-Oct-2005 The appellant, detained for assessment under section 2, … Continue reading Lewis v Gibson and Another: CA 19 May 2005
The claimant was a mental patient detained for a bipolar dis-order after convictions for rape. Judges: Silber J Citations: [2005] EWHC 86 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Handyside v The United Kingdom ECHR 7-Dec-1976 Freedom of Expression is Fundamental to SocietyThe appellant had published a … Continue reading B, Regina (on the Application of) v Dr SS and others: Admn 31 Jan 2005
Mrs Nolan had been employed at a US airbase. When it closed, and she was made redundant, she complained that the appellant had not consulted properly on the redundancies. The US denied that it had responsibility to consult, and now appealed. Held: The appeal failed (Lord Carnworth dissenting). That the exact situation might not have … Continue reading The United States of America v Nolan: SC 21 Oct 2015
The claimant was a mental patient under compulsory detention, and complained that he had been subjected to periods of seclusion. Held: The appeal succeeded. The hospital had failed to follow the appropriate Code of Practice. The Code was not obligatory, but following it would generally ensure that a patient’s rights were not infringed. It recognised … Continue reading Munjaz v Mersey Care National Health Service Trust And the Secretary of State for Health, the National Association for Mental Health (Mind) Respondent interested;: CA 16 Jul 2003
A ten-year old boy had died from Addison’s disease. No inquest took place, because the coroner decided that the boy had died of natural causes. The parents, who were also affected by the events, had accepted compensation from the local health authority, and discontinued a claim for damages for negligence against the doctors, and a … Continue reading Powell v United Kingdom: ECHR 4 May 2000
B having been made subject to a court hospital order classifying him as suffering from a mental illness, complained when he was later detained under section 63 as subject to a personality disorder. Held: At all times, B was classified as suffering from a mental illness, and the tribunal had not said his condition was … Continue reading B, Regina (on the Application of) v Ashworth Hospital Authority: CA 15 Apr 2003
PC (The High Court of Justiciary) The minuter challenged the role of the legal adviser to the district courts in Scotland, and as to his independence. Held: The legal adviser was not subject to the same system of appointments as the justices. However the system provided for a right of appeal (section 175) on questions … Continue reading Clark (Procurator Fiscal, Kirkcaldy) v Kelly: PC 11 Feb 2003
The patient refused consent to treatment in the form of injection of drugs, which her psychiatrists considered to be necessary. Held: Treatment of this nature infringed the patients rights, and was not to be ordered without clear reason. The doctors had to show that it was a medical necessity, and this had to be shown … Continue reading Regina (N) v Dr M and Others: CA 6 Dec 2002
High Court of Australia – The Plaintiff paid a penny on entering the wharf to stay there till the boat should start and then be taken by the boat to the other side. The Defendants were admittedly always ready and willing to carry out their part of this contract. Then the Plaintiff changed his mind, … Continue reading Robertson v The Balmain New Ferry Company Ltd: PC 10 Dec 1909
The applicant was an adult autistic, unable to consent to medical treatment. Treatment was provided at a day centre. He had been detained informally under the Act and against the wishes of his carers, but the Court of Appeal decided he should have been formally detained. Held: The appeal succeeded. His detention had not been … Continue reading In Re L (By His Next Friend GE); Regina v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, Ex Parte L: HL 25 Jun 1998
A detained mental patient sought to challenge a decision by his RMO that he should receive anti-psychotic medication, despite his refusal to consent, and to challenge a certificate issued by the SOAD. Held: Where a mental patient sought to challenge by judicial review the imposition of treatment without his consent, it was open to the … Continue reading Regina (Wilkinson) v Broadmoor Special Hospital and Others: CA 22 Oct 2001
Mrs F had given an enduring power to her son, but then became incapable and the power was registered. Her daughter had in the meantime applied to be appointed as her receiver. There was particular bitterness between the brother and sister. F called in the Lord Chancellor’s medical visitor and asked that her children settle … Continue reading In re F (Enduring power of Attorney): ChD 2 Apr 2004
The applicant was detained in an institution for mentally deranged offenders. While so detained he was subjected to the forcible administration of food and neuroleptics and to handcuffing to a security bed. He complained of violation of his Article 3 and 8 rights. One of his complaints was as to interference with his correspondence. Held: … Continue reading Herczegfalvy v Austria: ECHR 24 Sep 1992
The applicant had been adopted as a child, and sought disclosure of the adoption records. The 1983 regulations gave a discretion to the Society, which had acted as adoption agency, to disclose information. The internal report to the society failed to analyze the appropriateness of the society’s policy, nor to examine the individual circumstances of … Continue reading Gunn-Russo v Nugent Care Society and Secretary of State for Health: Admn 20 Jul 2001
The duty of a local authority to seek to provide resources to care for a mental patient after release into the community, is not absolute, and is subject to the limitations of the availability of a sufficient budget. A continued detention in hospital of a patient because of the absence of such proper provision was … Continue reading Regina (on the application of K) v Camden and Islington Health Authority: CA 21 Feb 2001
(Scotland) A detention in hospital which was capable of preventing the deterioration of a psychopathic disorder in a patient was sufficient to bring his detention within the requirement for treatment which might alleviate a condition, which phrase has a wide meaning. ‘Medical treatment’ could include treatment which alleviates or prevents a deterioration of the symptoms … Continue reading Hutchison Reid v Secretary Of State For Scotland and Another: HL 5 Feb 1998
A losing candidate at a local election alleged corrupt and illegal practices relating to the entry of non-existent people on the electoral roll and using postal votes. The Election Commissioner found this proved and the election void, and awarded costs against him. He was unable to meet the sum awarded and became bankrupt. The candidate … Continue reading The Conservative and Unionist Party v The Election Commissioner: CA 23 Nov 2010
The council had taken the applicant’s children into care alleging that the mother had harmed them. In the light of the subsequent cases casting doubt on such findings, the mother sought the return of her children. She applied now that the hearings be in public. Held: The applicant and her solicitors had already made significant … Continue reading Kent County Council v The Mother, The Father, B (By Her Children’s Guardian); Re B (A Child) (Disclosure): FD 19 Mar 2004
The claimant had suffered mental illness and threatened to hurt himself. He was taken into hospital as a voluntary patient, but in effect detained compulsorily. He lacked capacity to consent to medical treatment. Held: The holding of a patient informally amounted to a detention, and that detention was unlawful. It made no difference whether the … Continue reading L v United Kingdom: ECHR 5 Oct 2004
The applicant was severely autistic, and unable to consent to medical treatment. He had been admitted voluntarly to a mental hospital and detained under common law powers. The Hospital trust appealed a finding that his detention had been unlawful. Held: He had in fact been detained: ‘We do not consider that the judge was correct … Continue reading Regina v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, Ex parte L: CA 2 Dec 1997
When a court wanted to consider making a restriction order under the Act, it could not do so without some medical evidence which could be used to justify such a restriction. Here it was accepted that the defendant did suffer from a mental disorder induced or exacerbated by the overuse of cannabis, and in appropriate … Continue reading Regina v Reynolds: CACD 1 Nov 2000
D was undergoing trial for offences and was held in prison. He self-harmed repeatedly, and was recorded to require extra vigilance. He attempted to hang himself. Prison staff saved his life, but he was left paraplegic, and was then detained under the 1983 Act. An internal prison report which contained the substantial record of the … Continue reading D, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 28 Apr 2005
The applicant sought to challenge a decision that she should be sterilised, and detained as a mental patient for this purpose. Judges: Popplewell J Citations: [1997] EWHC Admin 281 Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 2, Supreme Court Act 1981 31(6) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Regina v Collins; Pathfinder Mental Health Services … Continue reading Regina v Collins; Pathfinder Mental Health Services NHS Trust and St George’s Health Care NHS Trust ex parte ‘S’: Admn 17 Mar 1997
Local authority case records and a verbatim extract from the case records which had been exhibited to an affidavit from a social worker had been disclosed. Held: Booth J asked as to the case records: ‘whether the words in the section ‘information relating to proceedings’ should be construed to cover documents which do not themselves … Continue reading In re S (Minors) (Wardship: Police Investigation); Re S (Minors) (Wardship: Disclosure of Material): FD 1987