The House was asked whether a jury in criminal trials containing variously a Crown Prosecution Service solicitor, or a police officer would have the appearance of bias. In Abdroikof, the presence of the police officer on the jury was discovered only late, but there was no conflict over police evidence. In Green the victim was … Continue reading Regina v Abdroikof, Regina v Green; Regina v Williamson: HL 17 Oct 2007
The claimants ran a guinea pig farm. They and their neighbours applied for injunctions and an exclusion zone to keep away the defendants who campaigned against the breeding of animals for research. Held: The claimants had been subjected to a long and sustained campaign of harassment by the defendant organisation and its associates. The court … Continue reading Hall and others v Save Newchurch Guinea Pigs (Campaign) and others: QBD 17 Mar 2005
Delay defeated Request for review A police dog had bitten a child on his arrest. His mother complained and again at the handling of her complaint by the IPCC. The MPS had disciplined in accordance with a letter from the IPCC, and having acted refused to re-open the complaint. Held: An early letter from the … Continue reading The Independent Police Complaints Commission, Regina (On the Application of) v Commissioner Of Police Of the Metropolis: Admn 3 Jul 2009
Citations: [2005] EWHC 1279 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police Act 1996 89(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.228213
There was a heated dispute between neighbours, culminating in some generous or perhaps over-generous pruning by the claimant of the defendant’s trees and shrubs on the boundaries. The defendants reported the matter to the police. Both Mr and Mrs Dalziel made oral complaints to the officer who attended upon them. He later returned and Mr … Continue reading Buckley v Dalziel: QBD 3 May 2007
Limits of Police duty to protect A schoolmaster developed an infatuation for a teenage pupil. It led to the killing of the pupil’s father, the wounding of the pupil, the wounding of a deputy headmaster and the killing of the deputy headmaster’s son. Mr Osman’s widow and the pupil claimed against, with another, the Commissioner … Continue reading Osman and another v Ferguson and another: CA 7 Oct 1992
The case was a reference from the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The defendants had been convicted in 1990 of murder. The House of Lords had dismissed an earlier appeal. Police officers had allowed statements to be put forward which were false in critical aspects, and had threatened witnesses to avoid their attendance at court. Held: … Continue reading Poole and Mills v Regina: CACD 17 Jun 2003
The applicant was arrested in Khartoum by Sudanese security forces and handed over to French police officers who escorted him to France in a French military aircraft. The ECommHR was willing to accept that he was effectively under the authority, and therefore the jurisdiction, of France on SAA principles, notwithstanding that this authority was being … Continue reading Illich Sanchez Ramirez v France: ECHR 24 Jun 1996
ECHR Article 8Positive obligationsArticle 8-1Respect for family lifeRespect for private lifeLack of adequate legal protection in a case concerning a mother’s committal to a psychiatric institution and the placement of her children in care: violationsFacts – The applicant was assisted by the social services from 1996 onwards, having been classified as a disabled person unfit … Continue reading B v Romania (No 2): ECHR 19 Feb 2013
Appeal by case stated against conviction of having secured entry to premises by violence. Inferences to be drawn from defendant’s silence at police interview. The defendant complained that the magstrates should have set out clearly what inferences they had drawn and from what facts and allowed the defendant opportunity to make representations. Held: The magistrates … Continue reading T v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 10 Jul 2007
The defendant had been convicted of an affray when she had lunged at her boyfriend with a knife in a car park. Held: The appeal succeeded. A ‘person of reasonable firmness’ who must be concerned for an affray offence to be committed, must be a third party, and not the victim of the affray. The … Continue reading Regina v Sanchez: CACD 6 Mar 1996
PC (Anguilla) A first non-religious radio station had been formed, but came to include much criticism of the government. One programme was suspended by the government. The programme makers complained that this interfered with their constitutioinal and human rights to freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination. Held: The motive in closing … Continue reading Benjamin, Vanderpool and Gumbs v The Minister of Information and Broadcasting and The Attorney General for Anguilla: PC 14 Feb 2001
Fair Coment on Political Activities The defendant newspaper had published articles wrongly accusing the claimant, the former Prime Minister of Ireland of duplicity. The paper now appealed, saying that it should have had available to it a defence of qualified privilege because of the claimant’s status as a politician. Held: The appeal failed (Lords Hope … Continue reading Reynolds v Times Newspapers Ltd and others: HL 28 Oct 1999
The defendant appealed against interim costs orders made in the claim against it for defamation. Held: The general power of cost capping measures available to courts were available also in defamation proceedings. The claimant was being represented under a conditional fee agreement. The court considered that the amount of costs being incurred served to act … Continue reading King v Telegraph Group Ltd: CA 18 May 2004
In each case the defendants said that police officers arresting them had not been acting in the course of their duty, and that their resistance had been lawful. Judges: Laws LJ, Lloyd Jones J Citations: [2009] EWHC 3353 (Admin), (2010) 174 JP 149 Links: Bailii Statutes: Police Act 1996 89(2), Police and Criminal Evidence Act … Continue reading Cumberbatch v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 24 Nov 2009
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 was convicted of murder. Evidence during the trial suggested a possibility of manslaughter, but neither the defence nor prosecution proposed the alternate verdict. The defendant now appealed saying that the judge had an independent duty to leave that option to the jury. Held: The appeal succeeded. The judge should have left a manslaughter … Continue reading Regina v Coutts: HL 19 Jul 2006
Bayley J said: Upon the great point, viz. whether it is a good defence to an action for slander for a defendant to show he heard it from another, and at that time named the author, I am of the opinion that it is not’ and ‘the law will not permit a man to recover … Continue reading McPherson v Daniels: 1829
Appeal against conviction for assaulting police constables in the execution of their duty. Held: The magistrates had given the impression that in convicting him they were not fully convinced of the evidence against him, and that therefore a lower burden of proof had been applied. The decision was set aside. Judges: Hooper LJ, Maddison J … Continue reading Ukpabi v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 18 Apr 2008
The claimant appealed a decision to admit in evidence a tape recording, taken by an enquiry agent of the defendant who had entered her house unlawfully. Held: The situation asked judges to reconcile the irreconcilable. Courts should be reluctant to create rules which would deny the admission of genuine evidence. Where a party behaved in … Continue reading Jones v University of Warwick: CA 4 Feb 2003
The claimant appealed against summary dismissal of his claim in defamation. Judges: Pill, Thorpe, Mantell LJJ Citations: [2001] EWCA Civ 1030 Links: Bailii Statutes: Defamation Act 1996 8(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Budu v The British Broadcasting Corporation QBD 23-Mar-2010 The defendant sought to strike out the claimant’s action in defamation. … Continue reading Mosley and Another v Focus Magazin Verlag Gmbh: CA 29 Jun 2001
The plaintiffs appealed against refusal of orders striking out the defences of justification to their libel action. Held: The words complained of bore an accusation of money laundering. A plea of justification based upon a reasonable belief in the claimant’s criminality, could not be established by simply stating that publication had been a repetition of … Continue reading Shah and Another v Standard Chartered Bank: CA 2 Apr 1998
The claimants sought damages from the defendant local authority after their identities had been wrongfully revealed to the natural parents of the adoptees leading to a claimed campaign of harassment. The adopters has specifically requested that their names and address be not revealed, but they details were let slip in a case conference. Both parties … Continue reading B and B v A County Council: CA 21 Nov 2006
The claimant sought to enforce an arbitration award made in 1983. Time might otherwise have expired, but the claimants relied on a fax which they said was an acknowledgement of the debt, and also upon a finding in a Romanian court which created an issue estoppel. Held: A typed signature on a fax was capable … Continue reading Good Challenger Navegante S A v Metalexportimport SA: CA 24 Nov 2003
The claimant a former police constable sought judicial review of a decision made by the tribunal, saying that it had had no jurisdiction to make it. The respondent tribunal, having now accepted that it had not had the power it exercised, being then functus officio, nevertheless maintained that the decision should not be quashed where … Continue reading Baker v Police Appeals Tribunal: Admn 27 Mar 2013
Citations: [2006] EWHC 894 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police Act 1996 89(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime, Police Updated: 14 November 2022; Ref: scu.241728
The plaintiffs had sought to claim against the defendants for tort of malicious prosecution The trial had been vacated once on the defendants paying costs, and they made a second application, saying that more days were needed. That application was granted, and the claimants now sought leave to appeal adjournment of the trial. Held: The … Continue reading Smith v Chief Constable of Kent: CA 26 Jan 1998
Police, when using force to enter premises, must still give their reasons for effecting their entry, to the occupant, unless this was impossible or undesirable. Buxton LJ said: ‘This paragraph strictly speaking did not apply in the present case, because no search was contemplated. It is, however, a strong indication of the importance and relevance … Continue reading O’Loughlin v Chief Constable of Essex: CA 12 Dec 1997
The defendants appealed against their convictions for murder saying that the court should not have relied upon hearsay evidence. A witness had refused to give evidence, but his earlier evidnece was used. Held: The appeals failed. The judge had acted properly in that when considering the exercise of his judgment under section 78 of the … Continue reading Adeojo and Another v Regina: CACD 6 Feb 2013
The appellant had been employed by the Police as a fingerprint officer. She was unfairly dismissed after a wrongful accusation. The tribunal ordered that she be reinstated, but on terms which would not result in her attending court as an expert witness. The EAT had concluded that the Tribunal’s decision to order reinstatement was perverse, … Continue reading McBride v Employment Appeal Tribunal: SCS 25 Jan 2013
Citations: [1996] ECHR 100, 25803/94 Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 3 Cited by: Cited – Selmouni v France ECHR 28-Jul-1999 Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 3; Violation of Art. 6-1; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses award – . .Cited – Selmouni … Continue reading Selmouni v France: ECHR 25 Nov 1996
The Director appealed dismissal of charges under the Acts against the respondent. There had been a fight in a shopping mall. The mall was private land over which there was a public right of way. The respondent objected when the officer taped off an area of the mall to investigate. Held: The owner of the … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Morrison: Admn 4 Apr 2003
An immigration adjudicator, after a hearing, had rejected the applicant’s asylum appeal, but accepted that he had left Iran because he had had an adulterous relationship; Held: The Home Secretary was wrong to depart from the special adjudicator’s finding of fact without having good reason and where adjudicator had heard evidence in coming to his … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Danaei: CA 12 Nov 1997
Appeals by way of the case stated from conviction by the justices of wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty, contrary to section 89(2) of the Police Act 1996. The wilful obstruction alleged in the charge against the appellant was his refusal to give his name and address to a police officer … Continue reading Neale v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 23 Feb 2021
Where communications had been intercepted in a foreign country, and the manner of such interceptions had been lawful in that country, the evidence produced was admissible in evidence in a trial in England. An admission of such evidence was not an infringement of the rights to a fair trial, nor of the right to respect … Continue reading Regina v P and others: HL 19 Dec 2000
Two company directors sued Swiss bankers who had responded to enquiries from the police in London. The charges which followed had been dismissed, and the directors sued in defamation, seeking to rely upon the materials sent to the police. Held: The appeal succeeded. There is no implied undertaking as to the use of disclosed documents … Continue reading Mahon and Another v Rahn and Others (1): CA 12 Jun 1997
The claimant’s mother had died in hospital. The claimant said that she had died as a result of failures by doctors, and had asked the coroner and police to investigate his allegation that she had been deliberately harmed to cover up missed diagnoses. The police obtained an independent report which said that there was a … Continue reading Cubells, Regina (on The Application of) v Independent Police Complaints Commission: CA 15 Oct 2012
The court was asked: ‘whether a barrister who has been appointed an arbitrator by one party to the arbitration should be removed by the court on the ground that another barrister from the same chambers has been instructed in the arbitration by the appointing party’. The arbitrator had offered to recuse himself if both parties … Continue reading Laker Airways Inc v FLS Aerospace Ltd: ComC 20 Apr 1999
The defendant firm had negligently allowed a claim for damages against a firm of accountants to become statute barred. The defendants said the claim was of no or little value, since the claimant would have proceeded anyway. Held: The court had to bear in mind the distinction between the loss of chance directly through the … Continue reading Dixon v Clement Jones Solicitors (A Firm): CA 8 Jul 2004
CS Damages of 200,000 pounds by way of exemplary damages had been awarded against the police for unlawful arrest and assault. Held: The court gave a guideline maximum pounds 50,000 award against police for wrongful arrest and wrongful imprisonment. Comparisons were proper with personal injury cases. It is important to identify and quantify the various … Continue reading Thompson v Commissioner of Police of Metropolis; Hsu v Same: CA 20 Feb 1997
Appeal by case stated from conviction for assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty. Judges: Moses LJ< Eady J Citations: [2012] EWHC 2443 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police Act 1996 89(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 04 November 2022; Ref: scu.463801
In an action for damages and false imprisonment, the defendant police officers sought to have introduced the claimant’s previous criminal record, which was expired under the 1974 Act. Held: The judge had been correct not to follow practice in criminal cases on such questions. The purpose of the Act in civil proceedings was to allow … Continue reading Thomas v Commissioner of Police for Metropolis: CA 28 Nov 1996
Guidance was to the courts on disclosure of care proceedings statements etc to police. But for section 12 it would have been contempt of court to have disclosed to the police matters before the children’s court. Citations: Times 22-Oct-1996, [1997] Fam 76, [1996] 2 FLR 725 Statutes: Children Act 1989 12 98 Jurisdiction: England and … Continue reading In Re C (A Minor) (Care Proceedings: Disclosure); Re EC (Disclosure of Material): CA 22 Oct 1996
The distinction normally made between primary and secondary victims claiming damages for shock in witnessing a terrible event does not apply to employees who were obliged by their contract to be present. Citations: Times 06-Nov-1996, [1996] EWHC CA 173 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Frost and Others v Chief Constable … Continue reading Frost and Others v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire and Others: CA 31 Oct 1996
Judges: Simon Brown LJ Citations: [1996] EWCA Civ 618, [1997] 1 All ER 655, [1997] EMLR 117 Links: Bailii Statutes: Defamation Act 1952 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Tsikata v Newspaper Publishing Plc QBD 28-Oct-1994 Qualified privilege reporting statutory proceedings stays despite doubts on findings. Jonathan Sumption QC said: ‘Historically, qualified privilege … Continue reading Tsikata v Newspaper Publishing Plc: CA 30 Sep 1996
Individual officers, but not the police force itself are answerable in a race discrimination claim. The force is not vicariously liable for an individual officer’s acts. Citations: Gazette 06-Nov-1996, Times 10-Oct-1996, [1996] EWCA Civ 684, [1998] QB 65, (1997) 9 Admin LR 601, [1997] 1 All ER 289 Links: Bailii Statutes: Race Relations Act 1976 … Continue reading Farah v Commissioner of Police for Metropolis: CA 9 Oct 1996
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSALThe Appellant authority suspended the Claimant after receiving information from the police that he had been involved in dishonesty which had serious financial and reputational consequences for them. There was no contractual right to suspend without pay. The Claimant was not in custody but was available for work. The Employment Tribunal upheld his … Continue reading Kent County Council v Knowles: EAT 9 Mar 2012
The court considered the possible affront to jurors in a defamation action when asked to decide some elements of an action, but not others. Judges: Gray J Citations: [2002] EWHC 2726 (QB), [2002] QB 321 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Loutchansky v Times Newspapers Ltd and others CA 23-Jan-2001 The … Continue reading Loutchansky v Times Newspapers Ltd and others: QBD 12 Dec 2002
The defendant authority appealed a finding that it was liable in negligence from the conduct of one of its environmental health officers. The plaintiff had set out to refurbish and open a restaurant. He said the officer gave him a list of things he must do. He had done them, but the licence was still … Continue reading Welton, Welton v North Cornwall District Council: CA 17 Jul 1996
The claimant had been convicted of the murder of PC Blakelock. The only substantial evidence was in the form of the notes of interview he said were fabricated by senior officers. His eventual appeal on this basis was not resisted. He now appealed against the striking out of his actions for conspiracy to pervert the … Continue reading Silcott v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis: CA 24 May 1996
The defendant agreed to indemnify the insured ‘in respect of all sums which the insured shall become legally liable to pay as compensation arising out of’ various matters including wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment. The insurer contended that the use of the word ‘compensation’ excluded awards of exemplary damages. Held: The contention was … Continue reading Lancashire County Council v Municipal Mutual Insurance Ltd: CA 3 Apr 1996
False imprisonment actions are actions for money, but the Judge has a discretion on costs. Citations: Times 24-Apr-1996 Statutes: County Court Rules 1981 Order 38 R 4 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Costs Updated: 31 October 2022; Ref: scu.78697
The claimant’s son had died of hyperthermia whilst serving in the army in Iraq. The parties requested a new inquisition after the coroner had rules that human rights law did not apply to servicemen serving outside Europe. Reports had been prepared but were not disclosed to the coroner until the last day of the inquest … Continue reading Smith v The Assistant Deputy Coroner for Oxfordshire: Admn 11 Apr 2008
Russell LJ said: ‘It is to be observed that at no stage in the judgment does the judge refer to and emphasise, as in my judgment he should have done, the fact that the plaintiff here was emerging from a minor road onto a major road, and was consequently under a continuing obligation to give … Continue reading Dolby v Milner: CA 1996
The General Officer Commanding during the war of 1939 to 1945 ordered the appellants oil installations near Rangoon to be destroyed. The Japanese were advancing and the Government wished to deny them the resources. It was done on the day before the Japanese occupied Rangoon. The question was, whether compensation was payable for this destruction. … Continue reading Burmah Oil Company (Burma Trading) Limited v Lord Advocate: HL 21 Apr 1964
Claimants sought damages for personal injuries incurred when, in Pristina, Kosovo and during a riot, British soldiers on a UN peacekeeping expedition fired on a car. Held: The incidents occurred in the course of peace-keeping duties. It was not argued that they occurred in combat, and it was established that in cases of riot, soldiers … Continue reading Bici and Bici v Ministry of Defence: QBD 7 Apr 2004
The test as to whether there was still a need to protect the public safety from the defendant was just as appropriate when considering the revocation of a licence, as it was when the need for continued detention was being reviewed before the grant of the licence: ‘In exercising its practical judgment the Board is … Continue reading Regina v Parole Board, ex Parte Watson: CA 11 Mar 1996
A prisoner who had been remanded to police cells had no claim of damages for false imprisonment for his later non-release. Citations: Times 07-Feb-1996 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 128(7) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Torts – Other Updated: 27 October 2022; Ref: scu.81577
Defamation – Large Damages Awards MGN appealed as to the level of damages awarded against it namely pounds 350,000 damages, comprising pounds 75,000 compensatory damages and pounds 275,000 exemplary damages. The newspaper contended that as a matter of principle there is no scope in law for awarding exemplary damages, either generally or in the particular … Continue reading John v MGN Ltd: CA 12 Dec 1995
The police had information suggesting (wrongly) that a fugitive resided at an address. An armed raid followed, and the claimant occupant sought damages. Held: The tort of malicious procurement of a search warrant required it to be established both that there was no reasonable or probable cause for requesting the search warrant and that there … Continue reading Keegan and Others v Chief Constable of Merseyside: CA 3 Jul 2003
The applicant sought damages from the council for misfeasance in public office. Protracted litigation had followed his dismissal after he had attempted to bring allegations of misconduct within the authority to the attention of a council committee. He appealed an order striking out his claim. Held: The distinction between a public officer exercising his power … Continue reading Cornelius v Hackney London Borough Council: CA 25 Jul 2002
Where in an assault case, the complainant did not assert that she would be able to identify the defendant, a defendant seeking an identity parade merely for the purpose of establishing what was admitted, could not oblige a parade to be called. The prosecution had proceeded on the basis of other evidence, and placed no … Continue reading Regina v Nicholson (Andrew Robert): CACD 2 Sep 1999
The case of R v Popat had not been overruled by R v Forbes, which had been decided unfortunately. The obligation to hold an identity parade was not absolute. There are other factors which can be relied upon to make the obligation indeterminate. Citations: Times 02-Sep-1999 Statutes: Police And Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Codes of … Continue reading Regina v Popat (No 2): CACD 2 Sep 1999
The appellant was an illegal immigrant from Jamaica. He had been acting as a police informer. He came to be convicted of murder. He complained that his lawyers had not been told of his role, and the information he had supplied to the police about a relative of a prosecution witness, giving her a motive … Continue reading Regina v Denton: CACD 15 Feb 2002
The applicants, a same sex couple sought the right to marry. Held: The application failed. Same-sex couples are in a relevantly similar situation to different-sex couples as regards their need for legal recognition and protection of their relationship, although since practice in this regard is still evolving across Europe, the Contracting States enjoy a wide … Continue reading Schalk and Kopf v Austria: ECHR 22 Nov 2010
It was sought to extradite the defendant to face trial for two alleged murders. He now challenged the order for his extradition saying that his treatment in Missouri would amount to inhuman or degrading punishment in that if convicted he would face life imprisonment without the chance for parole. Held: The abolition of the death … Continue reading Wellington Regina, (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 10 Dec 2008
The father sought a specific issue order for the immunisation of his child in particular with the MMR vaccine. The mother opposed all immunisation. Held: Whether a child was to be refused immunisation was an issue on which both parents should be involved. ‘the present case is seen not as some significant novelty requiring guidance … Continue reading B (A Child); Re C (Welfare of Child: Immunisation): CA 30 Jul 2003
The employee was a transsexual, awaiting completion of surgical transformation to a woman. The employer said she could not use the female toilet facilities, but was offered use of the unisex disabled facilities. Held: The 1975 Act provides for a category of persons who are not to be discriminated against. By virtue of the definition … Continue reading Croft v Royal Mail Group Plc (formerly Consignia Group plc): CA 18 Jul 2003
The claimant challenged dismissal of his claim of having suffered an unfair detriment having made a disclosure with regard to his employers. The employers had said that as a constable, his employment was outside the scope of the Act, and the decision of the Police disciplinary Board could not found his claim. Held: the paragraph … Continue reading Lake v British Transport Police: CA 5 May 2007
Judges: Burnton J Citations: [2004] EWHC 1642 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police Act 1996 42(1A) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police Updated: 15 October 2022; Ref: scu.226900
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 defendant appealed against his conviction for wounding with intent. He had answered ‘no comment’ in the police interview, but claimed self defence at trial. The court considered what note should be taken of the solicitor’s evidence of his advice on interview. Held: Rose LJ gave examples of where a solicitor’s advice to remain silent … Continue reading Regina v Roble: CACD 21 Jan 1997
The court discussed when it was appropriate for the Court of Appeal to substitute other lesser convictions, after the main conviction had been declared unsafe. Held: After studying the authorities at length, the court felt that the various convictions should be quashed, but that in some cases there was a possibility of substituting verdicts of … Continue reading Regina v Graham, Kansal, etc: CACD 25 Oct 1996
The defendant appealed convictions for possession of cannabis with intent to supply. He had been seen apparently passing packages to individuals outside a pub, and cannabis wraps were found on him, but no money. The judge directed the jury, referring to a possible runner who might have the money, but no such suggestion had been … Continue reading Regina v Ryan: CACD 31 Oct 1996
The defendant had used public telephones to cause nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm and distress. He had made hundreds of obscene telephone calls to at least 13 women, and was convicted of causing a public nuisance. He argued that no call caused distress to more than one person, and that it was wrong to aggregate them. … Continue reading Regina v Johnson: CACD 14 May 1996
The defendants were charged with the supply of heroin. They had declined to answer police questions and it was on the record that their solicitor had advised them not to do so, on the grounds that he considered them unfit because they were displaying withdrawal symptoms; the doctor who examined them had disagreed. Held: The … Continue reading Regina v Condron, Condron: CACD 17 Oct 1996
The defendant appealed his conviction based upon the evidence of police officers who were subsequently discredited. Citations: [1996] EWCA Crim 1186, [1997] Cr LR 353 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Deans, Regina v CACD 30-Jul-2004 In 1989 the defendant was convicted of assorted serious drugs crimes. His case came before the court … Continue reading Regina v Whelan: CACD 22 Oct 1996
The defendant appealed his conviction and sentence for infringements of the 1990 Act. The house was already very severly dilapidated when it came to be listed. He was accused of making changes outside the extent of the listed buildings consent he had obtained. Held: The offence was one of strict liability, and guilt did not … Continue reading Regina v Major Sandhu: CACD 10 Dec 1996
An inadmissible statement which was exculpatory of a co-defendant was admissible for that co-defendant. Citations: Times 23-Apr-1996 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.87400
A diabetic who drove anticipating a diabetic attack was driving recklessly and his act constituted dangerous driving. Citations: Gazette 02-Aug-1996, Times 16-Jul-1996, [1997] RTR 457 Statutes: Road Traffic Act 1988 2A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Milton v Crown Prosecution Service Admn 16-Mar-2007 The defendant appealed his conviction for dangerous driving, saying … Continue reading Regina v Marison: CACD 16 Jul 1996
J has discretion to order disclosure by police of hearsay evidence. Citations: Times 15-Aug-1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.87130
A murder conviction was correct on a joint charge where the defendant was found to have encouraged and arranged it. The jury do not have to be sure which defendant in fact killed provided they are sure that both were there pursuant to a joint enterprise to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. If what … Continue reading Regina v Giannetto: CACD 19 Jul 1996
Detailed directions were provided for the judge to give to a jury where a defendant chooses not to give evidence in his defence in the Crown Court. Lord Taylor of Gosforth said: ‘1. The judge will have told the jury that the burden of proof remains upon the prosecution throughout and what the required standard … Continue reading Regina v Cowan and Another: CACD 12 Oct 1995
Police evidence which had been impugned by suggestions of perjury was not to be used not to found a conviction. A senior officer can be in a position to infect the whole investigative process and evidence so as to render the conviction unsafe: ‘Once the suspicion of perjury starts to infect the evidence and permeate … Continue reading Regina v Edwards: CACD 31 Jan 1996
The defendant appealed against his conviction for rape. There had been a DNA match, but the defendant did not match the description given by the victim, and she had not picked him out. He argued that DNA evidence alone should not be used to convict, and that the judge had misdirected the jury as to … Continue reading Regina v Adams: CACD 26 Apr 1996
A tortious conspiracy was alleged in the conduct of a civil action. The plaintiff appealed against rejection of his claim. Held: The appeal failed as an attempt to circumvent the immunity of a wirness in defamation by framing a claim in conspiracy. Sellers LJ considered whether a complaint was privileged: ‘Whatever form of action is … Continue reading Marrinan v Vibert: CA 2 Jan 1963
When a defendant was silent, it was necessary for the court to be especially careful to give precise and accurate directions on the effect of such silence as to the drawing of adverse inferences. Having answered questions on some aspects, it was not possible for the court to separate out the issues safely so as … Continue reading Regina v Gill: CACD 21 Jul 2000
The defendant sought clarification through the court as to the meanings inherent in the words complained of. Held: The application failed. ‘I do not consider the ordinary reasonable reader would be perverse to conclude that the suspicions arguably raised in the headlines are not dispelled by the text of the article itself; and I have … Continue reading Caplin v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 20 Jun 2011
The officer had been injured in an accident in a police van. He developed multiple sclerosis only a short time afterwards. The respondent denied that the accident caused the MS. Held: There is no proof of what causes MS, but it was common ground that trauma never causes the disease. The question was whether trauma … Continue reading Dingley v Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police: HL 11 May 2000
A decision on whether a suspect has a mental handicap must be reached on evidence, and the decision must be express. Citations: Ind Summary 22-Jan-1996, Times 12-Dec-1995 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 66 codes Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 22 September 2022; Ref: scu.86798
The defendant newspaper said that allegations had been made against the plaintiff that he was not paying his debts. In their defence they pleaded justification and the fact that he was being sued for debt. Held: A defamation was not to be justified in respect of extracts from affirmations in pending lawsuits. The court applied … Continue reading Stern v Piper and Others: CA 21 May 1996
This appeal concerns the directly effective right of police officers under EU law to have the principle of equal treatment applied to them. The question raised is whether the enforcement of that right by means of proceedings in the Employment Tribunal is barred by the principle of judicial immunity, where the allegedly discriminatory conduct is … Continue reading P v Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 25 Oct 2017
(Trinidad and Tobago) The appellant sought a declaration that his constitutional rights had been infringed. He had bought a car. When told it may be stolen, he took it to the police station, but after he heard nothing and it was not returned. He alleged that he had been deprived of his property in breach … Continue reading Thakur Persad Jaroo v Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago: PC 4 Feb 2002
Appeals from conviction of conspiracy to defraud. Citations: [1997] EWCA Crim 960 Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 74(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Distinguished – Regina v Manzur; Regina v Mahmood CACD 28-Nov-1996 The prosecution was seeking to rely upon the plea of guilty of a person who had not given … Continue reading Gardner and Another, Regina v: CACD 22 Apr 1997
The claimant alleged that she had been discrimated against in her work for the appellant, a member of the diplomatic staff at the Saudi Embassy in London. She now appealed against a decision that the respondent had diplomatic immunity. Held: The appeal was allowed: ‘the question whether the exception in article 31(1)(c) would have applied … Continue reading Reyes v Al-Malki and Another: SC 18 Oct 2017
The police had arrested three peaceful but vociferous preachers when some members of a crowd gathered round them threatened hostility. Held: Freedom of speech means nothing unless it includes the freedom to be irritating, contentious, eccentric, heretical, unwelcome and provocative provided it did not tend to provoke violence. There was no reasonable inference available in … Continue reading Redmond-Bate v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 23 Jul 1999
The applicant had dual Iraqi and British nationality. He was detained by British Forces in Iraq under suspicion of terrorism, and interned. Held: His appeal failed. The UN resolution took priority over the European Convention on Human Rights where there was a conflict between them. ‘If the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII, consider that … Continue reading Al-Jedda v Secretary of State for Defence: CA 29 Mar 2006
The claimants appealed against dismissal of their claim for damages under the 1998 Act. The house had been searched under warrant. They said that the constable obtaining the warrant had acted on information he knew or ought to have known was false. The officer had acted on the basis of information provided through Crimestoppers, but … Continue reading Williams v Dyfed and Powys Police: CA 22 Nov 2010
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSALAn act is on the ground that an employer has made a protected disclosure within the meaning of the Employment Rights Act 1996 section 47B if it is done by reason of such a disclosure or because the act was inherently for such a reason. Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police v Khan … Continue reading Vivian v Bournemouth Borough Council: EAT 4 Feb 2011
The prosecution was seeking to rely upon the plea of guilty of a person who had not given evidence. Held: A co-accused’s guilty plea was admissible only with an explanation of its basis. Citations: Times 06-Dec-1996, [1996] EWCA Crim 1566 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 74 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Distinguished … Continue reading Regina v Manzur; Regina v Mahmood: CACD 28 Nov 1996