Reference of a question of law by the Pensions Ombudsman pursuant to section 150(7) of the Pension Schemes Act 1993, arising for determination in connection with a complaint by a Mr Ralph Dilley relating to the Data General Employee Benefits Plan (‘the Scheme’), of which he is a member. The question for the court is … Continue reading The Pensions Ombudsman v EMC Europe Ltd and Others: ChD 14 Dec 2012
The court had to answer the question of whether the Pensions Ombudsman could make orders which the court could not. Held: It could not, Knox J said: ‘there is a real distinction between ordering compensation for inconvenience and distress caused by maladministration as an adjunct to the power to remedy injustice caused by maladministration which … Continue reading Hillsdown Holdings plc v Pensions Ombudsman: 1997
The appellant challenged stays of proceedings by the respondent magistrates court for abuse of process infringing the defendants’ human right to a fair trial. The magistrates had fund that being faced with dismissal of a summary case through delay, the appellant had increased the charges adding allegations of dishonesty which had not been put to … Continue reading Department for Work and Pensions v Courts: Admn 3 May 2006
Judges: Auld LJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 300 Links: Bailii Statutes: Social Security Act 1993 14(8)(a)(ii) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Benefits Updated: 09 November 2022; Ref: scu.251393
Trustees are unable to challenge application validity at first on appeal from Ombudsman. Citations: Times 24-Mar-1997 Statutes: Pension Schemes Act 1993 15(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Financial Services Updated: 05 November 2022; Ref: scu.81180
The claimant had applied to the Child Support Agncy for maintenance. They failed utterly to obtain payment, and she complained now that she was denied the opportunity by the 1991 Act to take court proceedings herself. Held: The denial of access to the courts under section 8 did not engage her civil rights. The Act … Continue reading Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v Kehoe: CA 5 Mar 2004
The claimant was divorced from her husband, a member of the armed forces, and was to receive a share of his pension. She complained that although he had been able to take his share of the pension early, she had been obliged to wait. Held: There was no discrimination. The provisions fell within the ambit … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of Smith) v Secretary of State for Defence, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: QBD 26 Jul 2004
Acts by pensions trustees creating a righteous indignation only, and not affecting the financial interests of the members, were not challengeable under the Act. Citations: Gazette 04-Jun-1997, Times 16-Jun-1997 Statutes: Pension Schemes Act 1993 99(4)(a)(iii) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Financial Services Updated: 21 July 2022; Ref: scu.87484
Judges: Proudman J Citations: [2009] EWHC 226 (Ch), [2009] 1 FLR 1365, [2009] Pens LR 129, [2009] ICR 806, [2009] Fam Law 398 Links: Bailii Statutes: Pensions Schemes Act 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Employment, Financial Services Updated: 23 June 2022; Ref: scu.304545
Judges: Lord Kirkwood Citations: [2000] ScotCS 160 Links: Bailii Statutes: Pension Schemes Act 1993 Jurisdiction: Scotland Financial Services Updated: 19 June 2022; Ref: scu.169303
Legislation had been enacted to tax under Schedule E, people employed through one man service companies and similar. Representatives of such taxpayers sought review of the legislation as incompatible with European law being a hindrance to the freedom of movement of workers and also state aid. The law set to catch those who would be … Continue reading Professional Contractors’ Group and Others v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: CA 21 Dec 2001
Europa Community law does not preclude the application of a national rule of law according to which benefits for incapacity for work are payable no more than one year before the date of claim, in the case where an individual seeks to rely on rights conferred directly, with effect from 23 December 1984, by Article … Continue reading Steenhorst-Neerings v Bestuur van de Bedrijfsvereniging voor Detailhandel, Ambachten en Huisvrouwen: ECJ 27 Oct 1993
The Ombudsman had sought to rule on a complaint against the applicants. They said the Ombudsman had no jurisdiction. Held: For jurisdiction the Ombudsman had to rely upon his statutory powers. Those allowed him to rule on those who were, or acted as administrators of a pension scheme; those who ran it. ‘It is of … Continue reading Britannic Asset Management Ltd and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Pensions Ombudsman: Admn 21 Mar 2002
Equal pay for men and women – Survivor’s pension – Limitation of the effect in time of the judgment in Case C-262/88 Barber.As to Barber: ‘The Court’s ruling took account of the fact that it is a characteristic of this form of pay [scil, benefits provided for by private occupational pension schemes] that there is … Continue reading Ten Oever v Stichting Bedrijfspensioenfonds voor het Glazenwassers- en Schoonmaakbedrijf (Judgment): ECJ 6 Oct 1993
Ombudsman has jurisdiction to investigate acts of pensions managers as trustees. Citations: Times 23-May-1995 Statutes: Pension Schemes Act 1993 146-1 Financial Services Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.78957
The applicant sought a pension from the scheme. He claimed that the preservation of benefit rules applied. However this scheme provided for pensions to be funded from the general assets of the fund at the time when a pension came to be due. The scheme was not therefore a funded one, and the preservation of … Continue reading Royal Masonic Hospital and Another v Pensions Ombudsman and Another: ChD 31 Jan 2001
The applicant a 17 year old assisted the police in a murder investigation on the understanding, induced by the police, that he would not himself be prosecuted. Some weeks later, at the instance of the CPS, the applicant was charged with a lesser offence of having destroyed evidence connected with the same crime. He submitted … Continue reading Regina v Croydon Justices Ex Parte Dean: QBD 9 Mar 1993
The father appealed against an order for contribution under the 1989 Act. It was argued that the contributing parent must simply cut his cloth acording to his means, and organise his life to follow first his duty to maintain his child. Held: The magistrates had not given reasons for their decision, but the court had … Continue reading In Re C (A Minor: Contribution Notice): FD 13 May 1993
There is no facility to appeal against an interim decision or determination of the Pensions Ombudsman, on a point of law, to the High Court. The appeal is purely statutory, and since no express capacity for such an appeal is provided, none exists. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Lightman Citations: Times 07-Dec-1999, Gazette 01-Dec-1999, [1999] … Continue reading Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd v Pensions Ombudsman and Others; Regina v Pensions Ombudsman, ex parte Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd: ChD 3 Nov 1999
The defendant had been convicted of robbery. He appealed, saying that a member of the jury was a neighbour to his brother, and there was therefore a risk of bias. This was of particular significance as the defendant was charged with conspiracy with that brother to commit burglaries. The juror had sworn an affidavit that … Continue reading Regina v Gough (Robert): HL 1993
The applicant was a retired local government worker. His pension was determined by his final salary. He worked many hours overtime. Was that overtime to be included when calculating his pension? The regulations included all payments, but not non-contractual overtime. Held: The regulations were not clear. The contract provided overtime rates, so the ombudsman had … Continue reading The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Newham v Skingle and the Pensions Ombudsman: ChD 23 May 2002
The defendant had been brought to the UK in a manner which was in breach of extradition law. He had, in effect, been kidnapped by the authorities. Held: The High Court may look at how an accused person was brought within the jurisdiction when examining a question about that person’s detention. It is axiomatic ‘that … Continue reading Regina v Horseferry Road Magistrates’ Court, ex Parte Bennett (No 1): HL 24 Jun 1993
The claimant said that the medical member of the tribunal which had heard his disability claim was biased. The doctor was on a temporary contract and also worked for an agency which contracted directly the Benfits Agency. The court of session had considered tha a reasonable and well informed observer would not think there was … Continue reading Gillies v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 26 Jan 2006
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The Pensions Ombudsman may not order trustees of a pension scheme to pay compensation which was ultra vires the scheme. Citations: Times 12-Mar-1996 Statutes: Pensions Act 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Hillsdown Holdings plc v Pensions Ombudsman 1997 The court had to answer the question of whether the Pensions Ombudsman could … Continue reading Westminster City Council v Haywood and Another: ChD 12 Mar 1996
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 applicant had failed to comply with the Rules in not using the form prescribed for appliying for leave to appeal against a special adjudicator’s decision to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal. The application, by letter, included all the relevant information required by the prescribed form except. The difference was in the absence of a statement … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department Ex Parte Jeyeanthan; Ravichandran v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 21 May 1999
The OFT had considered whether it was necessary to refer a merger between two companies to the Competition Commission, and decided against. The Competition Appeal Tribunal held that the proposed merger should have been referred. The OFT and parties appealed. Held: The Tribunal had misdirected itself as to one test. The statutory test required the … Continue reading Office of Fair Trading and others v IBA Health Limited: CA 19 Feb 2004
UTIAC 1. The requirement to show that a person or persons can be maintained (or will maintain themselves) ‘adequately’ without recourse to public funds has long been a requirement of the immigration rules. It continues to be a requirement for various categories of person in the amended rules that came into force in July 2012. … Continue reading Yarce (Adequate Maintenance: Benefits) Colombia: UTIAC 30 Nov 2012
A Judge may give judgment in a case finished he had only after reaching the maximum permitted retirement age. Citations: Times 07-May-1996 Statutes: Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Regina v The Lord Chancellor Ex Parte Stockler QBD 4-Dec-1995 Judge may sit as an acting judge beyond … Continue reading Regina v the Lord Chancellor, Ex Parte Stockler: CA 7 May 1996
EAT Deposit ordered. Order lost in post due to the Claimant putting wrong post-code on ET1. Review. Distinguishing Judgments from Orders. Strike-out. Extending time. Judges: His Honour Peter Clark Citations: [2005] UKEAT 0318 – 05 – 2907, UKEAT/0319/05/TM, UKEAT/0318/05/TM, [2005] ICR 1647, UKEAT/0320/05/TM, [2005] IRLR 836 Links: Bailii, EATn Statutes: Employment Tribunal Rules 2004 20(1) … Continue reading Sodexho Ltd v Gibbons: EAT 14 Jul 2005
W appealed against the striking out as an abuse of its request for a declaration that the tenants of the flats at Dolphin Square were entitled to acquire its freehold from the respondents. They had previously served and withdrawn a notice claiming the right. Held: The tenants’ appeal was allowed. CPR 38.7 did not operate … Continue reading Westbrook Dolphin Square Ltd v Friends Life Ltd: CA 18 May 2012
The claimant was a category A prisoner serving a sentence of life imprisonment for murder. He sought the reasons for his categorisation as a Class A prisoner. Unhappy at the disclosure made, he sought information under the 1998 Act. It was argued that disclosure beyong ‘gist’ reports would threaten the system of categorisation, which was … Continue reading Lord, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 1 Sep 2003
The defendant appealed a conviction of possession of 66 grams of cannabis with intent to supply. Also found were a large number of small bags and pounds 7,000 in cash. The defendant said the cannabis was for his personal use, and the equipment had been left at the house. He also complained of the mention … Continue reading Payton, Regina v: CACD 26 May 2006
Citations: [2005] EWHC 2993 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Pension Schemes Act 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Trustee Solutions Ltd and others v Dubery and Another ChD 21-Jun-2006 The rules of a pensions scheme were altered. It was required that any such alteration be in writing, but the trustees had not signed … Continue reading Steria Ltd and others v Hutchison and others: ChD 21 Dec 2005
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
Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Peter Smith Citations: [2004] EWHC 1768 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Pensions Schemes Act 1993 151(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Financial Services Updated: 29 August 2022; Ref: scu.199564
Appeal from decision of Pensions Ombudsman as to whether termination of employment had been ‘by reason of redundancy’ Citations: [2019] EWHC 2403 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Pension Schemes Act 1993 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Financial Services, Employment Updated: 27 August 2022; Ref: scu.642623
The Court was asked whether an employee’s remuneration is taxable as his or her emoluments or earnings when it is paid to a third party in circumstances in which the employee had no prior entitlement to receive it himself or herself. Held: The company’s appeal failed. The purposive approach to the interpretation of the general … Continue reading RFC 2012 Plc (Formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc) v Advocate General for Scotland: SC 5 Jul 2017
Europa The benefits paid by an employer to a worker on the latter’s redundancy constitute a form of pay to which the worker is entitled in respect of his employment, which is paid to him upon termination of the employment relationship, which facilitates his adjustment to the new circumstances resulting from the loss of his … Continue reading Barber v Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance Group: ECJ 17 May 1990
The court was asked as to the interrelationship of the statutory schemes relating to the protection of employees’ pensions and to corporate insolvency. Held: Liabilities which arose from financial support directions or contribution notices issued by the Pensions Regulator under the 2004 Act after the company had gone into administration, which required the company to … Continue reading In re Nortel Companies and Others: SC 24 Jul 2013
Criminality of Assisting Suicide not Infringing The court was asked: ‘whether the present state of the law of England and Wales relating to assisting suicide infringes the European Convention on Human Rights, and whether the code published by the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to prosecutions of those who are alleged to have assisted a … Continue reading Nicklinson and Another, Regina (on The Application of): SC 25 Jun 2014
The applicant appealed an award by the Pensions Ombudsman. He had been employed by the respondents as a solicitor in Hong Kong. He said it had been agreed that he would be be admitted to their pension scheme with retrospective effect. Held: The section did not tie the Ombudsman to any particular remedy available to … Continue reading Henderson v Stephenson Harwood and Others: ChD 19 Jan 2005
EAT The company decided to close two branches and make redundancies. They presented the closure itself as a fait accompli to the union representatives. The Tribunal found that this involved a failure to consult about ways of avoiding redundancies because the decision to close had been determined prior to any meeting with the union. Held: … Continue reading Securicor Omega Express Ltd v GMB (A Trade Union): EAT 7 Apr 2003
Claim – claimant relying on a decision of the Court of Appeal – whether tribunal bound by section 68 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992On 2 December 1992, the Court of Appeal held in Cottingham and Geary v. Chief Adjudication Officer and Secretary of State for Social Security (reported as R(P) 1/93) that occupational … Continue reading (Un-named) (Invalidity Pension): SSCS 20 May 1997
The defendant appealed his convictions for offences relating to the claiming of benefits, saying that he was immune from prosecution as a member of the European Parliament, and that the verdicts were inconsistent with acquittals on other charges. Held: There had been no abuse of process in prosecuting the defendant whilst he was a member … Continue reading Mote v Regina: CACD 21 Dec 2007
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 applicant sought publication of a report prepared for the respondent as to the even handedness of its reporting of matters in the middle east. The BBC had refused saying that the release of the report would have direct impact on its ability to report crucial world events and was exempt. The tribunal had decided … Continue reading British Broadcasting Corporation v Sugar and Another: Admn 27 Apr 2007
The trial judge had refused an order requested at a preparatory hearing by the defence for the disclosure of documents held by the prosecutor. The House was now asked whether a right of appeal existed against such a refusal. Held: The practice at preparatory hearings has been the subject of dispute. Lord Nichols said: ‘the … Continue reading H, Regina v (Interlocutory application: Disclosure): HL 28 Feb 2007
The defendant appealed against her conviction under the Act for having sent indecent or grossly offensive material through the post in the form of pictures of an aborted foetus sent to pharmacists. She denied that they were offensive, or that she wished to cause distress, and said she wished to educate the pharmacists as to … Continue reading Connolly v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 15 Feb 2007
The parties had sought a child maintenance order form the court, but the husband resiled from his agreement. Held: Where the court was unexpectedly blocked in this way, it had a power to make an order for payment by way of a lump sum of the difference to the wife for the benefit of the … Continue reading V v V (Ancillary relief: Power to order child maintenance): FD 6 Jun 2001
The defendant appealed against his conviction of manslaughter of his baby son. He said that a family court had previously investigated the same allegations and had explicitly found itself unable to say which of himself and the mother were responsible for the death. Held: A prosecutor in a criminal a case has a broader duty … Continue reading Levey, Regina v: CACD 27 Jul 2006
The claimant had been accused with others of arson to school property. He was suspended for the maximum forty five day period. The school then invited the family to discuss arrangements to return to the school, but the family did not attend. After the expiry of the forty five days, the criminal proceedings were discontinued. … Continue reading Ali v Head Teacher and Governors of Lord Grey School: HL 22 Mar 2006
The claimant sought damages from his accountants, claiming negligence. The accountants pleaded limitation. They had advised him in connection with an investment in a company which investment went wrong. Held: It was argued that the limitation period was to be extended until three years after the discovery by the claimant of why it was that … Continue reading Haward and others v Fawcetts: HL 1 Mar 2006
The applicant, a computer programmer, worked through his own limited company. That company contracted with an agency to provide his services, and the agency contracted with appellant to supply on those services. The contracts did contain some confusion as to his identity and status. The company appealed a finding that he was their employee. The … Continue reading Hewlett Packard Ltd v O’Murphy: EAT 26 Sep 2001
The operator sought permission to erect a mobile phone mast. The authority failed to serve notice of the decision to refuse prior approval. The applicant wished to object. Held: The applicant had been deprived of her right to make objection to the application by the authortiy’s failure. If the authority had communicated its decision, she … Continue reading Nunn, Regina (on the Application of) v First Secretary of State and others: CA 8 Feb 2005
The defendant was to have been accused of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16. Proceedings could not be brought, because the allegation was more than a year old, and he was instead accused of indecent assault, but on the same facts. He appealed against his conviction, saying this was an abuse of … Continue reading Regina v J: HL 14 Oct 2004
Where both parties to a contract are in breach of a mutual obligation owed by each to the other, neither can rely upon the other’s breach as giving him a right to terminate. The Court of Appeal has an inherent power to control its own procedure to stop it being abused. It has a ‘general … Continue reading Bremer Vulkan Schiffbau Und Maschinenfabrik v South India Shipping Corp Ltd: HL 1981
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
There was no human rights breach where the victims of sex abuse had been refused a right to sue for damages out of time. The question is whether and to what extent differences in otherwise similar situations justify a different treatment in law: ‘Limitation periods in personal injury cases are a common feature of the … Continue reading Stubbings and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 22 Oct 1996
The company had a final salary pension scheme. The respondents were variously trustees of the scheme, and representative employees. To calculate benefits, it was necessary to determine the ‘total remuneration from the Employers’. The employees asserted that this phrase included non-cash and fluctuating benefits. The company said that it related to core salary. Held: The … Continue reading Redrow Plc v Pedley and Lewis: ChD 12 Feb 2002
ECJ The provisions of the Treaty relating to the free movement of persons are intended to facilitate the pursuit by Community citizens of occupational activities of all kinds throughout the Community and preclude measures which might place Community citizens at a disadvantage when they wish to pursue an economic activity in the territory of another … Continue reading Regina v Immigration Appeal Tribunal and Surinder Singh, ex parte Secretary of State for the Home Department: ECJ 7 Jul 1992
ECJ 1. Article 2 of Council Directive 79/7/EEC, on the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security, must be interpreted as meaning that the directive does not apply to a person who has interrupted his or her occupational activity in order to attend to the … Continue reading Johnson v Chief Adjudication Officer: ECJ 11 Jul 1991
The claimant sought to recover overpayments said to have been made to the defendant barrister in the early 1990s. Interim payments on account had been made, but these were not followed by final accounts. The defendant, now retired, said that the claims were defeated by limitation and laches and were an abuse of process because … Continue reading Legal Services Commission v Henthorn: QBD 4 Feb 2011
The issue in this appeal is when time starts to run for a claim by a part-time judge to a pension under the Part-time Workers’ Directive (Directive 97/81) (‘PTWD’), as applied by the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/1551). The Appeals were allowed. As judicial officers are not employed under … Continue reading Miller and Others v Ministry of Justice: SC 16 Dec 2019
The Pensions Ombudsman did not have the right to exercise his discretion to provide a different answer to the one which would be given by a court. This followed from the right given to parties to appeal against his decisions to the High Court on a point of law. The wide discretion given by the … Continue reading Wakelin and others v Read and another: CA 10 Apr 2000
The claimant challenged e pension arrangements made for part time judges. Held: ‘The majority of the court are inclined to think that the effect of Directive 97/81 is that it is unlawful to discriminate against part-time workers when a retirement pension falls due for payment. The directive applies ratione temporis where the pension falls due … Continue reading O’Brien v Ministry of Justice: SC 12 Jul 2017
The House was asked whether a particular transaction was ‘an adventure in the nature of trade’. Held: Although the House accepted that this was ‘an inference of fact’, on the primary facts as found by the Commissioners ‘the true and only reasonable conclusion’ contradicted that decision. The House set out principles for establishing that decisions … Continue reading Edwards (Inspector of Taxes) v Bairstow: HL 25 Jul 1955
The trustees of a pension fund were entitled to be partial in the exercise of their discretions, provided that such exercise was not in bad faith, or irrational. The Pensions Ombudsman had been wrong to seek to extend his powers so that people might come to be bound by his decisions who had no opportunity … Continue reading Thomas Edge and Others [1999] Pens Lr 215: CA 15 Sep 1999
The house was asked whether it might be correct to stay criminal proceedings as an abuse where for delay. The defendants were prisoners in a prison riot in 1998. The case only came on for trial in 2001, when they submitted that the delay was an abuse. Held: The defendants had a right to a … Continue reading Attorney-General’s Reference (No 2 of 2001): HL 11 Dec 2003
Claim for costs against third party local authority, Croydon LBC after four day private law fact finding hearing. F said that M had fabricated illnesses both in herself and the child leading to the LA being asked to prepare a report. That report failed to allow for established guidance on the topic, leading to the … Continue reading HB v PB: FD 9 Jul 2013
The claimant appealed against a costs order. She had previously appealed against an order of the High Court on her application for judicial review of the inquest held by the respondent. Held: The coroner, and others in a similar position should not generally be expected to pay the costs of an appeal against an order … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Davies (No 2) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham: CA 27 Feb 2004
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
The claimant appealed after her claim for sex discrimination had failed. She had been dismissed from her position an associate minister of the church. The court had found that it had no jurisdiction, saying that her appointment was not an employment. However the jurisdiction in sex discrimination cases was wider, extending to those who ‘contract … Continue reading Percy v Church of Scotland Board of National Mission: HL 15 Dec 2005
The claimant’s son had been stabbed to death. She challenged the refusal of the coroner to continue with the inquest with a view to examining the responsibility of any of the police in having failed to protect him. Held: The question amounted to asking whether the coroner’s decision on the resumption should have been affected … Continue reading Hurst, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v London Northern District Coroner: HL 28 Mar 2007
The appellant, a part time recorder challenged his exclusion from pension arrangements. Held: The appeal was allowed. No objective justification has been shown for departing from the basic principle of remunerating part-timers pro rata temporis. ‘The reality is that recorders are expected to observe the terms and conditions of their appointment, and that they may … Continue reading O’Brien v Ministry of Justice: SC 6 Feb 2013
The applicants had each entered the UK with a view to seeking asylum, but having failed to seek asylum immediately, they had been refused any assistance, were not allowed to work and so had been left destitute. Each had claimed asylum on the day following their arrival. Held: The appeal by the Secretary of State … Continue reading Adam, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department; Limbuela v Same; Tesema v Same: HL 3 Nov 2005
Reference to Parliamentary Papers behind Statute The inspector sought to tax the benefits in kind received by teachers at a private school in having their children educated at the school for free. Having agreed this was a taxable emolument, it was argued as to whether the taxable benefit was the cost to the employer, or … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992
The appellant, liquidator of two South African companies, had made a successful without notice application for an asset freezing order. He believed that the defendants had stripped the companies of substantial assets. The order was set aside for want of jurisdiction, because it had not been ancillary to any proceedings which had even been formulated … Continue reading Fourie v Le Roux and others: HL 24 Jan 2007
The claimant had spent his childhood in foster care, and now claimed damages against a local authority for decisions made and not made during that period. The judge’s decision to strike out the claim had been upheld by the Court of Appeal. Held: An adult formerly in the care of a local authority as a … Continue reading Barrett v London Borough of Enfield: HL 17 Jun 1999
Industrial Injuries Allowances which were payable under the Regulations were payable under a pension scheme and so the administration of them was subject to the Pensions Ombudsman, since it provided for payments payable on the ‘termination of service’. Citations: Times 04-Dec-1998 Statutes: Pensions Scheme Act 1993 1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Financial Services Updated: 09 … Continue reading Swansea City and County v Johnson: ChD 4 Dec 1998
The claimants challenged the 1967 Act, saying that it deprived them of their property rights when lessees were given the power to purchase the freehold reversion. Held: Article 1 (P1-1) in substance guarantees the right of property. Allowing a mechanism for the compulsory transfer of the freehold interest in the house and the land to … Continue reading James and Others v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Feb 1986
EAT CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT – Incorporation into contractTRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS – Pensions and other termsIn this test case, the Claimant started his employment with Birmingham City Council on 29 July 1971. In 1993, the Council and its recognised trade unions entered into a collective agreement relating to redeployment and redundancy. By clause 3.2 it was … Continue reading Worrall and Others v Wilmott Dixon Partnership Ltd and Another: EAT 9 Jul 2010
Power to call in is administrative in nature The powers of the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his decision, and certain other planning powers, were essentially an administrative power, and not a judicial one, and therefore it was not a breach of the applicants’ rights to a fair hearing before … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001
The claimants were trustees of the defendant’s pension scheme. They sought additional payments to make up a shortfall in funds, on the basis that the fund was an earnings related pension scheme, and that the company therefore had obligations to make good any shortfall in the scheme. Held: Compulsory contributions were payable in each year … Continue reading Aon Trust Corporation Ltd v KPMG (A Firm) and others: CA 28 Jul 2005
The case concerned restrictions on the rent that a property owner could charge. The restrictions were applied to existing leases. It was said that the restrictions brought into play the second paragraph of Article 1 of the First Protocol to the Convention. Held: The second paragraph reserves to States the right to enact such laws … Continue reading Mellacher and Others v Austria: ECHR 19 Dec 1989
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 bank challenged measures taken by HM Treasury to restrict access to the United Kingdom’s financial markets by a major Iranian commercial bank, Bank Mellat, on the account of its alleged connection with Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The bank sought to have the direction given under section 7 of the 2008 Act. … Continue reading Bank Mellat v Her Majesty’s Treasury (No 2): SC 19 Jun 2013
A company went into liquidation, being owed substantial sums by another company in the same group, but itself insolvent. A settlement did not include accrued interest, but was claimed to be taxed as if it had, and on an accruals basis. If so, was this an expense properly arising in the insolvency, and payable as … Continue reading Kahn and Another v Commissioners of Inland Revenue; In re Toshoku Finance plc: HL 20 Feb 2002
Article 1 para. 1 of Protocol No. 1 Peaceful enjoyment of possessions Inability to recover judgment debt from local authority in receivership: violation Facts – In December 1993 the municipality of Benevento declared itself insolvent. An extraordinary liquidation committee (the OSL) was entrusted with the management of its finances. In a judgment given in November … Continue reading De Luca v Italy: ECHR 24 Sep 2013
The court explained the nature of an estoppel by convention. Lord Denning MR said: ‘The doctrine of estoppel is one of the most flexible and useful in the armoury of the law. But it has become overloaded with cases. That is why I have not gone through them all in this judgment. It has evolved … Continue reading Amalgamated Investment and Property Co Ltd (in Liq) v Texas Commerce International Bank Ltd: CA 1982
The Court considered the provisions for leasehold enfranchisement now that the residence requirement had been removed by the 2002 Act, and in particular the extent to which, at all, it had allowed enfranchisement to be available to commercial buildings. The properties raised two issues: (i) Were the buildings ‘designed or adapted for living in’? And … Continue reading Day and Another v Hosebay Ltd: SC 10 Oct 2012
The tax payer had overpaid Advance Corporation Tax under an error of law. It sought repayment. The revenue contended that the claim was time barred. Held: The claim was in restitution, and the limitation period began to run from the date when the claimants discovered their mistake. The appellants had submitted that section 33 of … Continue reading Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Plc v Inland Revenue and Another: HL 25 Oct 2006
Right to Life Did Not include Right to Death The applicant was paralysed and suffered a degenerative condition. She wanted her husband to be allowed to assist her suicide by accompanying her to Switzerland. English law would not excuse such behaviour. She argued that the right to die is not the antithesis of the right … Continue reading Pretty v The United Kingdom: ECHR 29 Apr 2002
The claimant suffered a debilitating terminal disease. She anticipated going to commit suicide at a clinic in Switzerland, and wanted first a clear policy so that her husband who might accompany her would know whether he might be prosecuted under the 1961 Act. Held: The court considered the Code for Crown prosecutors, and other Guidance … Continue reading Purdy, Regina (on the Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions and others: CA 19 Feb 2009
The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who said that the blanket ban on corporal punishment interfered with their religious freedom. They saw moderate physical discipline as an essential part of educating children in a Christian manner. Held: The appeal was dismissed. For Article 9 to be engaged (aside from certain other threshold conditions) the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005
The applicant was terminally ill, and entirely dependent upon her husband for care. She foresaw a time when she would wish to take her own life, but would not be able to do so without the active assistance of her husband. She sought a proleptic permission, a promise that he would not be prosecuted. Held: … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of Pretty) v Director of Public Prosecutions and Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 29 Nov 2001
The appellants owned a guesthouse. They appealed from being found in breach of the Regulations. They had declined to honour a booking by the respondents of a room upon learning that they were a homosexual couple. The appellants had said that they were practising Christians and viewed the guest house as their home, and that … Continue reading Bull and Bull v Hall and Preddy: CA 10 Feb 2012
The claimants alleged professional negligence in advice given by the defendant on a share purchase, saying that it should have been structured to reduce Capital Gains Tax. The defendants denied negligence and said the claim was statute barred. Held: The defence in fact was that the claimant had both brought the claim too early because … Continue reading Pegasus Management Holdings Sca and Another v Ernst and Young (A Firm) and Another: ChD 11 Nov 2008
B, a former senior member of the security services wished to publish his memoirs. He was under contractual and statutory obligations of confidentiality. He sought judicial review of a decision not to allow him to publish parts of the book, saying it was vitiated by bias, and in breach of his right to freedom of … Continue reading A, Regina (on The Application of) v B; Regina (A) v Director of Establishments of the Security Service: SC 9 Dec 2009
