Appeal from order on appellant to ensure proper manning of custody suites. Whether ‘acting Sergeant’ could operate as a custody officer. Citations: [1992] EWCA Civ 19, [1993] 1 WLR 415, [1993] 2 All ER 321 Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 36(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police Updated: 07 December 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Vince and Another v Dorset Police: CA 30 Jul 1992
The claimant had been detained at 11.25pm. His detention was not reviewed by an inspector until 7.45am the next morning, although it had been considered in the interim at 1.45am by an officer of junior rank. The plaintiff sued for unlawful imprisonment for the period of 2 hours and 20 minutes from 5.25am (when the … Continue reading Roberts v Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary: CA 26 Jan 1999
The claimant challenged the right of a custody officer to attach conditions to his bail when releasing him to return to the station under section 34. Judges: Maurice Kay LJ, Burton J Citations: [2007] EWHC 3212 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 34, Police and Justice Act 2006 Jurisdiction: England and … Continue reading Torres, Regina (on the Application of) v the Commission of Police of the Metropolis: Admn 17 Dec 2007
Custody sergeant need only be available to be called in readily, not present. Citations: Gazette 16-Sep-1992 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 36-1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime, Police Updated: 06 August 2022; Ref: scu.90169
The applicant had left care, but still received assistance. She was arrested and the police asked the attending social worker to arrange secure accommodation overnight. The respondent refused. The court was asked what duty (if any) is owed by local authorities to provide ‘secure accommodation’ for arrested juveniles whom they are requested to receive under … Continue reading M, Regina (on the Application of) v Gateshead Council: CA 14 Mar 2006
The claimant challenged the alteration of the PACE code of conduct to remove the mandatory requirement on an officer executing a stop and account or stop and search to record the self-defined ethnicity of the person so stopped, and also to challenge the decision of several chief constables to decide not to do so. Held: … Continue reading Diedrick, Regina (on The Application of) v Hampshire Constabulary and Others: Admn 26 Jul 2012
The court considered a claim by a woman for wrongful arrest and unlawful detention by police officers who had reasonably suspected her of burglary of the house of her former partner. In interview by the police, she denied the offence and made . .
The claimant sought damages after his arrest by armed police. The defendant appealed a substantial award of damages. Held: The section required the officer to have reasonable grounds for suspecting the arrestees to be guilty of the offence. The constable must suspect both that an arrestable offence has been committed and that the citizen he … Continue reading Parker v Chief Constable of the Hampshire Constabulary: CA 25 Jun 1999
The defendants appealed against convictions for assault and kidnapping, saying that the identification procedures used were at fault. Held: The identification evidence had been properly admitted. The prosecution witness had not had the defendant named or pointed out to him. Judges: Hughes LJ, Rafferty, Maddison JJ Citations: [2010] EWCA Crim 1939 Links: Bailii Statutes: Police … Continue reading Gojra and Another, Regina v: CACD 6 Aug 2010
Citations: [2003] EWHC 1720 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 76 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.185648
Claim to privilege must be precisely focused The Daily Telegraph carried an article headed ‘Incompetence at ministry cost pounds 52 million’ recording that a number of senior civil servants had been reprimanded after investigation by the Public Accounts Committee. The plaintiff had been in charge at the material time. It also stated that the plaintiff … Continue reading Blackshaw v Lord: CA 1984
The defendant appealed against his conviction for assaulting a police officer. He complained that he had been subjected to an unlawful assault, in that before being searched under the 1994 Act, the officer had not given his details. Held: The obligation on an officer to provide his name, number and station was mandatory and a … Continue reading Osman v Southwark Crown Court: Admn 1 Jul 1999
Allegation by minor of unlawful detention overnight in custody. Judges: Chamberlain J Citations: [2020] EWHC 1567 (QB), [2020] WLR(D) 348 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Human Rights Act 1998, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police, Human Rights, Children Updated: 06 December 2022; Ref: scu.651929
Renewed application for leave to seek judicial review of the crown court in dismissing his appeal against conviction for driving with excess alcohol. The judge had refused an adjournment to allow fresh counsel to be instructed, and had behaved in a discourteous and biased manner. He had said that the police had forced their way … Continue reading Haycocks, Regina (on the Application Of) v Worcester Crown Court: Admn 15 May 2007
This judicial review raised for express decision whether a person whose premises have been searched and whose property seized under a search warrant must have enough information grounding the warrant to judge its lawfulness and the retention of the material seized under it. In this case the information before the justice of the peace granting … Continue reading Haralambous v St Albans Crown Court and Another: Admn 22 Apr 2016
The claimant challenged a production order made by the magistrates in respect of journalists’ material. They complained that the application had used secret evidence not disclosed to it, and that the judge had not given adequate reasons to support the decision. The poice were investigating an offence under the 1989 Act. Held: It was common … Continue reading British Sky Broadcasting Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v The Central Criminal Court and Another: Admn 21 Dec 2011
The applicant had had his premises searched. He sought to challenge the basis on which search warrant had been granted. He argued that under the Convention, it was necessary for the magistrates to provide a written record of the reasons for granting the warrant. Held: Where the information laid was itself sufficient to account for … Continue reading Cronin, Regina (on The Application of) v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police and Another: Admn 20 Nov 2002
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
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
The defendant had been convicted of murder in 1952, and hung. A court hearing an appeal after many years must apply laws from different eras to different aspects. The law of the offence (of murder) to be applied was that at the time of the offence. In this case however the summing up was so … Continue reading Regina v Derek William Bentley (Deceased): CACD 30 Jul 1998
Golden Thread of British Justice – Proof of Intent The appellant had been convicted of the murder of his wife. She had left him and returned to live with her mother. He went to the house. He said he intended to frighten her that he would kill himself if she did not return. He wired … Continue reading Woolmington v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 23 May 1935
The court considered whether, and if so, the circumstances in which, police officers may be liable in negligence to suspects for failure to comply with the Codes of Practice. Citations: [1998] EWCA Civ 1305 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 66 67 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Negligence, Torts – Other, Police Updated: 23 November … Continue reading Ahmed v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police: CA 28 Jul 1998
The appellant had undergone a male to female sex change, but was refused employment by the respondent before the Human Rights Act came into effect. Held: Although the Human Rights Act could not apply, the act was in breach of the Equal Treatment Directive and discrimination. The 1999 regulations were incompatible with the provisions of … Continue reading A v Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Police and Another: CA 5 Nov 2002
Alleged assault on an employee of London Transport. Failure of prosecution to disclose existence of independent witness. Judges: Moses J Citations: [2003] EWHC 620 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 19 November 2022; Ref: scu.184976
The claimant sought to challenge the policy that a 17 year old under arrest was to be treated as an adult for interview purposes, even though at every other stage of a criminal investigation and prosecution, he would be treated as a child. He had been arrested, but, under the applicable Code of Practice had … Continue reading HC (A Child), Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Another: Admn 25 Apr 2013
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 defendant appealed against his conviction for conspiracy to defraud. His co-defendant and alleged co-conspirator had been acquitted. Held: The appeal against conviction failed. The defence knew that they were going to have to deal with the prosecution’s case that the appellant’s relationship to Murphy regarding the Murphy-related transactions was one of mutual dishonesty. It … Continue reading Mehta v Regina: CACD 31 Dec 2012
The claimants challenged search warrants and the seizure of materials under the warrants. Held: The Court emphasised the need for precision within the warrant itself. Judges: Sir John Thomas P QB, Wilkie J Citations: [2012] EWHC 3745 (Admin), [2013] 1 WLR 2706 Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 9, Criminal Justice and … Continue reading Van Der Pijl and Another v The Crown Court At Kingston: Admn 21 Dec 2012
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
The appellant appealed his conviction for murder. He had shot his lover as she walked away from an argument. The fact of his conviction following mention of a guilty plea to possession of the firearm was complained of. Held: The judge had directed the jury properly as to the conviction for possession of a firearm … Continue reading Regina v Shanks: CACD 19 Mar 2003
The claimant challenged the lawfulness of a search warrant issued for the respondent. The company had claimed Film Tax Relief, but the revenue had been unable to trace a supplier, and believed the invoice to be bogus. Held: The warrants wer too widely framed. Judges: Pitchford LJ, Foskett J Citations: [2012] EWHC 2989 (Admin) Links: … Continue reading Anand, Regina (on The Application of) v Revenue and Customs: Admn 9 Oct 2012
Challenge to issue of search warrants. Citations: [2014] EWHC 1541 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 9 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police Updated: 05 November 2022; Ref: scu.526395
The claimants sought review of a decision of the Serious Organised Crime Agency to seize documents which have been the subject of the unlawful execution of a search warrant, purporting to act for this record seizure under section 19 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. SOCA, with identical powers to those of the … Continue reading Cook and Another v Serious Organised Crime Agency: Admn 27 Jul 2010
Prosecution appeal against a terminating ruling relating to the ambit of s.80 of the 1984 Act which specifies the circumstances in which a wife may be compelled to give evidence against her husband. Citations: [2012] 1 WLR 3378, [2012] 2 Cr App R 34, (2012) 176 JP 615, 2012] WLR(D) 199, [2012] EWCA Crim 1529 … Continue reading BA, Regina v: CACD 11 Jul 2012
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
Three serving police officers provided confidential information to a known criminal. The Chief Constable authorised interception of telephones at a police station, a private network. The court accepted that section 17 prevented the defence asserting that the interception had taken place on the public side of the system, and therefore admission of other evidence would … Continue reading W, Regina v (Attorney General’s reference no 5 of 2002): CACD 12 Jun 2003
DNA test results which had been obtained by a defendant’s solicitor were protected by legal professional privilege from production by a prosecutor for other purposes. Citations: Gazette 30-Mar-1994, Times 02-Feb-1994 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 10 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence, Legal Professions Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.87584
The judge was to decide as a matter of law whether an enquiry by a policeman amounts to an interview. Citations: Times 30-Jul-1993 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.87516
The question of status as mentally handicapped is not to be rigidly determined from one case to next. Citations: Times 27-Jul-1993 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 77-3 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.87054
Interpretation of ‘discretion’ in excluding evidence is to be limited. Citations: Ind Summary 07-Mar-1994 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.87339
A sample of blood can be compared with blood recovered at another scene of crime. Evidence properly obtained for one investigation may be used in another. Citations: Gazette 26-Jan-1994, Times 15-Dec-1993 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 62 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence, Criminal Practice Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.87049
A store detective said the plaintiffs had stolen from the store. He was wrong. The plaintiffs sought damages from the defendant for false imprisonment. Held: If the police use their own discretion to arrest a suspect, an informer is not liable for false imprisonment. The intervention by the police breaks any causation of the store … Continue reading Davidson v Chief Constable of North Wales Police and Another: CA 31 May 1993
During the prosecution case, the learned Judge was asked to permit representatives of the Crown Prosecution Service to interview a scientist who had carried out DNA tests at the request of the defence solicitors on a blood sample provided by the defendant to his G.P. for that purpose. Leave was granted, and subsequently the learned … Continue reading Regina v R: CACD 26 Jan 1994
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
A known schizophrenic even though certified probably fit for interview should nevertheless have present with him in interview at a police station an appropriate adult. Assessment of such an individual is beyond the skills of a custody sergeant. Citations: Gazette 17-Feb-1999, Times 04-Feb-1999, [1999] EWCA Crim 185 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Jurisdiction: … Continue reading Regina v Aspinall: CACD 4 Feb 1999
It is not a defence merely to show that there had been entrapment or the use of an agent provocateur, but the Judge has a discretion to exclude the evidence obtained if it would be unfair to use it. The need is to ensure a fair trial. Citations: Gazette 13-Oct-1993, Ind Summary 11-Oct-1993, Times 05-Oct-1993, … Continue reading Regina v Smurthwaite; Regina v Gill: CACD 5 Oct 1993
Excluded material may be admitted if surrendered voluntarily. Citations: Times 22-Jun-1994 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 9 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.88033
It was inadmissible that a person was an addict without direct knowledge of that fact in the witness or of a conviction. Citations: Times 27-Apr-1993 Statutes: Criminal Appeals Act 1968, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.87652
The section gives no basis for challenging the admission of a very young child’s evidence. Citations: Gazette 03-Jun-1992 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.87402
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 8 Sep 1999
The appellant, a Nigerian national, arrived at Gatwick Airport from Nigeria with a single item of luggage, namely a suit carrier. He was asked a number of questions, in particular whether he had packed the luggage himself and whether everything in it belonged to him, following which his luggage was searched. Packages of cocaine were … Continue reading Regina v Okafor: CACD 10 Nov 1993
Identification evidence from a pre-trial confrontation in the cells should have been excluded from the trial. Citations: Ind Summary 21-Jun-1993, Times 25-May-1993 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.87022
There is no rigid line in deciding whether a defendant is mentally handicapped under PACE and is to be treated accordingly in interview. Citations: Ind Summary 16-Aug-1993 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.87053
An unlawful bug of a private conversation on private property, was nevertheless correctly admitted into evidence if it was not unfair to do so within the context of the trial. Citations: Independent 14-Jun-1994, Times 01-Jun-1994, Gazette 13-Jul-1994 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appealed to – Regina v … Continue reading Regina v Khan (Sultan): CACD 1 Jun 1994
PACE codes are there to protect suspects against the overwhelming power of the state, and must be followed. Citations: Times 30-Jun-1994 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.86636
A sample of hair taken without the suspect’s consent was not an intimate sample, and did not require the associated permissions and procedures. Evidence derived from such a sample was accordingly admissible in evidence. Citations: Ind Summary 05-Sep-1994, Times 10-Aug-1994, Gazette 07-Oct-1994 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 65 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police, … Continue reading Regina v Cooke (Stephen): CACD 10 Aug 1994
A tape recording of a conversation made surreptitiously while a defendant is in a police cell is admissible in evidence. Citations: Independent 30-Mar-1993 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 78 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Evidence Updated: 25 October 2022; Ref: scu.86085
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
There has been some confusion about the need for identity parades to be held where requested by the defendant. Where the witness had properly identified the defendant such a parade need not be held. The decision in R v Popat was to be preferred to that in R v Forbes. Citations: Times 13-Oct-1999 Statutes: Police … Continue reading Regina v Ryan: CACD 13 Oct 1999
The defendants appealed against their convictions for conspiracy to facilitate breaches of immigration law, saying that they had been based on evidence obtained by the police from credit reference agencies in breach of their rights under the 1984 Act. Held: The appeals failed. The defendants had expressly agreed in their credit applications and finance agreements … Continue reading Bhatti and Others v Regina: CACD 30 Jul 2015
The claimant sought damages from the police. They had executed a search warrant, and one officer detained the claimant during the raid. Held: A person who mistakenly restrained an individual in the mistaken belief that he had been lawfully arrested is liable for trespass to the person. The terms of the warrant had to be … Continue reading Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police v Hepburn: CA 13 Dec 2002
QBNI ‘The applicant challenges the refusal of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to provide him and his solicitor with tapes of police interviews conducted with him as an assisting offender following the making of a written agreement with a specified prosecutor pursuant to section 73 (1) (b) of the Serious Organised Crime and … Continue reading Haggarty, Re Judicial Review: QBNI 9 Mar 2012
The court was asked whether the Justices were entitled to find that the officers were acting in the execution of their duty without the production in court of the warrant or notice of authority. There was no evidence as to the actual existence of a warrant. Held: They were Judges: Laws LJ Citations: [1998] EWHC … Continue reading Regina v Brent Justices ex parte Linehan: Admn 5 Oct 1998
Failure to comply with code of practice with regard to identification evidence and parades is not necessarily fatal to a prosecution. Citations: Times 23-Feb-1998 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; Codes of Practice Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.87046
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
Police must follow the published Code of Practice, when conducting identity parades, and may not substitute their own. If the evidence is allowed in despite the breach, the judge should explain the significance of the breach to the jury, as it may go to the weight they attach to the evidence. Citations: Ind Summary 04-Apr-1994, … Continue reading Regina v Quinn: CACD 15 Mar 1994
The absence of the protection of a rule against self-incrimination under the company law questioning procedure, didn’t make the use an admission in criminal proceedings unfair. DTI Inspectors may continue their inquiries after it has become clear that offences have been committed provided the caution is given. Citations: Independent 28-Nov-1995, Times 28-Nov-1995, Gazette 15-Dec-1995 Statutes: … Continue reading Regina v Saunders and Others: CACD 28 Nov 1995
Information which had been volunteered without questions was not an interview for PACE purposes. Citations: Times 23-Mar-1994 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 84, 86 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.87318
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
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
The judge should direct on the fact that caution is required before a jury can be asked to rely upon a confession of a mentally handicapped person. Citations: Ind Summary 20-Feb-1995 Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 77 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Practice Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.86083
The claimants challenged the legality of the issue and execution of search warrants issued on the request of the respondent. Held: The search was executed unlawfully, but the relief granted was confined to a declaration. Judges: Laws LJ, Simon J Citations: [2011] EWHC 2998 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 8 … Continue reading Glenn and Co (Essex) Ltd and Others v HM Commissioners for Revenue and Customs and Another: Admn 16 Nov 2011
The defendant had published a set of guidelines for intelligence officers called upon to detain and interrogate suspects. The defendant said that the guidelines could only be tested against individual real life cases, and that the court should not answer hypothetical questions. The objection lay to reactions to anticipated torture and mistreatment by third party … Continue reading Equality and Human Rights Commission v Prime Minister and Others: Admn 3 Oct 2011
Appeal against Information Notices issued under Schedule 36 of Finance Act 2008 – whether the information was reasonably required – whether Data Protection Act 1998 applies- whether Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 applies – whether information required is unreasonable and onerous – appeal dismissed Citations: [2011] UKFTT 187 (TC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and … Continue reading D Midgley and Sons Ltd and Another v Revenue and Customs: FTTTx 17 Mar 2011
The claimant sought to challenge search warrants issued by the respondents. The warrants were criticised as being too widely drawn, and in breach of the 1984 Act. Criticism was also made of the implementation of the searches, in the use of excess numbers of officers, and the taking of images of hard disks, thus acquiring … Continue reading Da Costa and Co (a Firm) and Collins v Thames Magistrates Court and H M Commissioners of Customs and Excise: QBD 25 Jan 2002
The claimant was a non-white head teacher, alleging that her school governors and local authority had undermined and had ‘deliberately endorsed a targeted campaign of discrimination, bullying, harassment and victimisation’ against her as an Asian head teacher; and that the Council, ‘deliberately and unlawfully endorsed a targeted campaign of discrimination, bullying and harassment and victimisation … Continue reading Singh v Moorlands Primary School and Another: CA 25 Jul 2013
The claimant was arrested on suspicion of murder and rape. The investigating officer was delayed by traffic so the arrest was carried out by a surveillance officer who was present at the scene but did not personally have reasonable grounds for suspecting the claimant was guilty of an offence, as required by section 24(2) of … Continue reading Parker v The Chief Constable of Essex Police: CA 11 Dec 2018
Where a general conspiracy is charged in a single count, it is not bad for duplicity only because the evidence offered to prove it includes proof of the subsidiary conspiracies entered into in carrying out the general conspiracy. Duplicity is a matter of form, not a matter relating to the evidence called to support the … Continue reading Regina v Greenfield: CACD 1973
The appellant had been charged with and disciplined for a prison offence. He was refused legal assistance at his hearing, and it was accepted that the proceedings involved the determination of a criminal charge within the meaning of article 6 of the Convention, that the deputy controller was not an independent tribunal and that the … Continue reading Greenfield, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Feb 2005
There was an obligation to destroy fingerprints and samples in respect of persons who were acquitted. Nevertheless, if such material was unlawfully retained, it could be used for the purpose of investigating another offence, and the evidence could be used in a subsequent trial unless it was excluded at the judge’s discretion. Citations: [1999] EWCA … Continue reading Attorney General’s Reference No 3 of 1999 (Lynn): CACD 26 Mar 1999
The provisions of the Code of Practice regarding identification parades are mandatory and additional unwritten conditions are not to be inserted. Where there was an identification and the suspect challenged that identification, and consented to the parade, the parade must be held. There is nothing in the words of code of practice to allow police … Continue reading Regina v Forbes (Anthony Leroy) (Attorney General’s Reference No 3 of 1999): HL 19 Dec 2000
Police officers have no power to use reasonable force, to compel a suspect to undergo an identification by confrontation. Powers generally phrased in the Act did not override an individual suspect’s rights. Beldam LJ said that the requirement that reasonable force may be used to secure conditions of detention does not authorise the use of … Continue reading Regina v Jones; Regina v Nelson: CACD 26 Mar 1999
The complainat had seen the burglar/defendant, noted his car number and later identified the car to the police. He identified the defendant from a group identification, but the codes of practice were not followed. Held: Though the Codes had been breached the court must look to see whether this had lead to any unfairness, and … Continue reading Regina v Grannell: CACD 1990
The defendant appealed from his conviction of murder. He complained that the judge should not have admitted in evidence material derived from a covert surveillance. The covert surveillance was of the defendant at his family home, and had been authorised by the Chief Constable and the Surveillance Commissioner. He complained that the matters in issue … Continue reading Turner v Regina: CACD 9 May 2013
Defendants challenged the terms of search warrants and the conditions attached to their bail. There was alleged to be a substantial VAT fraud. Citations: [2011] EWHC 842 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 8(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Legal Professions, Police Updated: 06 September 2022; Ref: scu.431755
The claimant alleged complicity by the defendant, (now former) Foreign Secretary, in his mistreatment by the US while held in Libya. He also alleged involvement in his unlawful abduction and removal to Libya, from which had had fled for political persecution. The defendants now appealed from rejection of the defendants’ claim to state immunity and … Continue reading Belhaj and Another v Straw and Others: SC 17 Jan 2017
The two defendants appealed from convictions of conspiracy to defraud, saying that the court should not have admitted in evidence the admissions of co-defendants who had pleaded guilty. Held: The appeal failed. Judges: Sir Brian Leveson, Jeremy Baker, Goose JJ Citations: [2018] EWCA Crim 2486, [2018] WLR(D) 689, [2018] 4 WLR 154 Links: Bailii, WLRD … Continue reading Shirt and Another v Regina: CACD 8 Nov 2018
The defendants had been pursued in substantial commercial litigation. They were alleged to have perjured themselves in affidavits of means sworn and filed at court. Later they had entered into deeds with the other parties, and part of the consideration was an agreement by those other parties not to pursue them for perjury. The defendants … Continue reading Regina v Trutch, and Mary Trutch: CACD 25 Jul 2001
The defendant appealed against an order at a preparatory hearing that evidence of his previous convictions and the manner of his actions should be admissible at his trial for two murders. A ruling had been given which the defendant said would restrict his right to deny those offences. Held: The defendant’s bare assertion Citations: [2010] … Continue reading C v Regina: CACD 17 Dec 2010
The court as asked about when an order may be made under section 9(1) and Schedule 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) to compel the production of a journalist’s note for potential use at a criminal trial. Citations: [2019] EWHC 2756 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police, Media Updated: … Continue reading The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Regina (on The Application of): Admn 22 Oct 2019
The defendant appealed against his conviction for assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty under section 89. He had argued that he had no case to answer. The officers had received an emergency call to the house, but the female caller had told them then not to come. On arrival, the defendant … Continue reading Blench v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 5 Nov 2004
In a prosecution for an offence of indecent assault on a girl under 16 under the section, it was necessary for the prosecution to prove the absence of a positive belief in the defendant’s mind that the victim was 16 or over. The legislation history showed an anomalous bringing together of different, and conflicting strands … Continue reading Regina v K: HL 25 Jul 2001
The defendants appealed against their convictions for murder, complaining of the admission against them of hearsay evidence from witnesses in Cyprus. Two of the statements had been later retracted. Held: The convictions stood. The statements had been formal ones taken by the police in Cyprus, and there was no convincing evidence of them having been … Continue reading Thakrar and Another v Regina: CACD 5 Jul 2010
The defendant sought to assert that he was of previous good character. The prosecution knew of convictions abroad, and sought to admit them in rebuttal. The 1984 Act did not deal with foreign convictions. Held: The 1851 Act still applied, and appropriately certified evidence of foreign convictions could be admitted. Police fingerprint evidence was also … Continue reading Regina v Mauricia: CACD 25 Feb 2002
The defendant’s solicitor had advised him whilst at the police station to make a confession. He appealed saying that he should not have been given that advice, and that the evidence should be excluded. Held: A solicitor’s role in the police station was not simply to make life difficult for the prosecution, nor to get … Continue reading Regina v Wahab: CACD 26 Jun 2002
(Scotland) The appellant had variously been convicted in reliance on evidence gathered at different stages before arrest, but in each case without being informed of any right to see a solicitor. The court was asked, as a devolution issue, at what point the duty to allow access to a solicitor arose, and what use might … Continue reading Ambrose v Harris, Procurator Fiscal, Oban, etc: SC 6 Oct 2011
The claimant alleged that his treatment in the police station had been wrongful. His solicitor, representing two clients, had refused to attend the interview with the claimant until he had seen the second client. There was a scene and the solicitor was excluded. The claimant said that this had unlawfully imposed a condition on his … Continue reading McDonagh, Regina (on The Application of) v Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary: Admn 19 Dec 2013
Evidence from 3rd Party Torture Inadmissible The applicants had been detained following the issue of certificates issued by the respondent that they posed a terrorist threat. They challenged the decisions of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission saying that evidence underlying the decisions had probably been obtained by torture committed by foreign powers, and should not … Continue reading A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No 2): HL 8 Dec 2005
