W was born in China to Chinese parents. His aunt came to Britain and acquired citizenship. He came to live with her while studying, and she applied to adopt him. The judge refused saying that the primary intention was to obtain citizenship. Held: The appeal failed. It should be good practice to give notice to … Continue reading Re W (A Minor) (Adoption: Non-Patrial): CA 1986
The appellant a BNP member had displayed a large poster in his bedroom window saying ‘Islam out of Britain’. He was convicted of an aggravated attempt to cause alarm or distress. The offence was established on proof of several matters, unless the defendant could establish one of the statutory defences. He argued these should be … Continue reading Norwood v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 3 Jul 2003
The claimant sought to enforce a judgment debt against a foreign resident company, and for this purpose to examine or have examined a director who lived abroad. The defendant said that the rules gave no such power and they did, the power was outside the rule-maker’s power. Held: Even though the rule-making power is wide … Continue reading Masri v Consolidated Contractors International Co Sal and Others: HL 30 Jul 2009
The defendant appealed against his conviction, saying that the evidence was obtained by means of an unlawful search by an officer. Judges: Sir John Thomas P BD, Wyn Williams J Citations: [2011] EWHC 3760 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Marshall v Crown Prosecution Service … Continue reading Tuthill v The Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 15 Nov 2011
Four articles in the People all covered the same story about Esther Rantzen’s organisation, Childline, suggesting that the plaintiff had protected a teacher who had revealed to Childline abuses of children occurring at a school where he taught, by keeping secret that he himself was a pervert, unfit to have any child in his care. … Continue reading Rantzen v Mirror Group Newspapers (1986) Ltd and Others: CA 1 Apr 1993
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 phrase ‘uses towards another person’ means, in the context of section 4(1)(a) ‘uses in the presence of and in the direction of another person directly.” Judges: Taylor LJ Citations: [1989] 89 Cr App R 199 Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 4(1)(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – I v Director of Public … Continue reading Atkin v Director of Public Prosecutions: CACD 1989
The Divisional Court upheld a condition imposed under section 14 of the 1986 Act which prescribed permitted entrance and exit points for an assembly. Citations: [2002] EWHC 110 (Admin) Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 14 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Jones and Others v The Commissioner of Police for The Metropolis Admn … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones: Admn 2002
The appellant had been charged with, and convicted of, an offence contrary to section 4A(1) of the 1986 Act. He had allegedly gone into the laundry room in the basement of the sheltered accommodation where he and the complainant and others each had self-contained flats, shouting obscenities at the complainant. The Divisional Court dismissed his … Continue reading Le Vine v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 6 May 2010
The defendants applied for directors’ disqualification proceedings for the claim to be struck out or dismissed on the ground that the respondent had breached their rights to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and/or breached his duty to act fairly, in that they had failed to disclose material … Continue reading Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills v Doffman and Another: ChD 11 Oct 2010
The council tenant had wished to appeal following a possession order made after her tenancy had been demoted. The court handed down a supplemental judgment to give effect to its earlier decision. The Court had been asked ‘whether article 8 of the . . Convention . . requires a court, which is being asked to … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Pinnock: SC 9 Feb 2011
Using a hidden video camera, passively to film women in changing rooms, was an act of the camera owner, and constituted the insulting behaviour offence. Citations: Times 09-Dec-1997, [1998] 162 JPR 115 Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 5 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Percy v Director of Public Prosecutions Admn 21-Dec-2001 The … Continue reading Vigon v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 9 Dec 1997
Prosecutor’s appeal against dismissal of charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour. Officers stopping youths in street and searching for drugs. The defendant had challenged the admission of statements said to have been made at the scene by the defendants under Code C. After exclusion of the admissions, the prosecutor had offered no … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Lawrence: Admn 16 Jul 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 defendant’s brother was stopped and searched by a police officer. While this search was going on the defendant approached and swore at the PC on two occasions, interfering with the search. He was cautioned after the first swearing incident and arrested after the second. Held: Whether the person addressed is a police officer or … Continue reading Southard v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 9 Nov 2006
The claimant alleged that the defendants had funded the purchase of various properties by secret and unlawful commissions taken by them whilst in power in Pakistan. They sought to recover the proceeds. They now sought permission to serve proceedings on the defendant companies abroad, outside a Lugano Convention country. Held: The claim should proced. ‘There … Continue reading Islamic Republic of Pakistan v Zardari and others: ComC 6 Oct 2006
The defendant appealed conviction for racially aggravated use of threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour. She said that apart from the police there was nobody else about to give rise to any risk of distress. Held: It was a quiet residential street late at night. The defendant had been shouting, and it was open … Continue reading Taylor v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 28 Apr 2006
The defendant appealed against his conviction for driving with excess alcohol. He complained that though the officers suspected him of having consumed alcohol, they asked him whether he had been drinking without cautioning him, and that no print out from the Intoximeter having been produced, there was no evidence on which he could be convicted. … Continue reading Sneyd v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Feb 2006
The claimant owned the copyright in several successful computer games. He had granted licenses for the use of the software, which licences were assigned to the defendants. Disputes arose as to the calculation of royalty payments, and the claimant sought to exercise his auditing rights. The defendant company in the US handled the accountancy for … Continue reading Sawyer v Atari Interactive Inc: ChD 1 Nov 2005
The respondent council had failed to allocate a university student grant to the claimant and the principle was directed at the duty of that authority to state clearly the reasons for its refusal and the particular factors that had been taken into consideration for the purpose. Held: When a challenge is made in court to … Continue reading Regina v Lancashire County Council ex parte Huddleston: CA 1986
The defendant, who had since died, had been convicted of a public order offence in that standing in a street he had displayed a range of placards opposing homosexuality. He appealed saying that the finding was an unwarranted infringement of his article 9 and article 10 rights, and that the words used were not in … Continue reading Hammond v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 13 Jan 2004
The appellant had been approached and searched by police officers and swore at them. He now appealed against a conviction under section 5 of the 1986 Act. Held: The use of the word ‘fuck’ was common in such situations. Neither officer had claimed to have been alarmed or distressed by the use of the word, … Continue reading Harvey v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 17 Nov 2011
Citations: [2010] EWCA Crim 148 Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 18 June 2022; Ref: scu.396721
The plaintiff sought to restrain the publication of an article. The defendants asserted that they would justify what they said at trial by reference to a Polly Peck defence, as to which: ‘I cannot see why the Bonnard v Perryman principle should not be applied. Quite apart from any question of public interest in the … Continue reading Khashoggi v IPC Magazines Ltd: CA 1986
The claimant was awarded damages for injuries suffered in his work as a seaman. The respondents claimed that he should not receive damages, since he had made false declarations as to his health in order to obtain employment, hiding his epilepsy condition. Held: Clunis established that the court would not support an action founded upon … Continue reading Hewison v Meridian Shipping Pte, Coflexip Stena Offshore Ltd, Flex Installer Offshore Ltd: CA 11 Dec 2002
The defendant had been convicted of using words or behaviour likely to cause harassment alarm or distress, when she defaced the US flag, and stood on it before a US military officer. She said that the defacing of flags was a common form of protest, that she had no intention to cause alarm or distress, … Continue reading Percy v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 21 Dec 2001
A group of youths carried petrol bombs in public, anticipating a confrontation with another group. They did not brandish them or actually threaten anybody. On dispersal by the police the bombs were dropped. On being charged with affray it was held that the carrying of such equipment in public even without overt threats or acts … Continue reading I v Director of Public Prosecutions etc: HL 8 Mar 2001
The claimant was subject to an order requiring him to obtain leave before commencing any civil proceedings. He commenced a private prosecution which the respondent later decided to take over and discontinue. He sought judicial review of that decision. He said that no leave was required because it was part of criminal proceedings not covered … Continue reading Ew v Director of Public Prosecutions and Others: CA 11 Feb 2010
The defendant appealed saying that the prosecution of him in connection with an incident outside a night club had been undertaken without disclosure of CCTV tape. Judges: Buxton LJ, Collins j Citations: [1999] EWHC Admin 11 Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 4, Police Act 1986 89 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 28 … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Chipping: Admn 11 Jan 1999
The principles of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights must be taken into consideration in community law. The principle of effective judicial control laid down in article 6 of Council Directive 76/207, a principle which underlies the constitutional traditions common to the member states and which is laid down in articles 6 … Continue reading Johnston v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary: ECJ 15 May 1986
A solicitor had acted for both purchaser and lender in a purchase transaction. The purchaser later sought to recover from the defendant for a negligent valuation. The solicitor had however discussed the issue with the plaintiff before the purchase, and he disclosed his note of the attendance on the plaintiff to the defendant. The note … Continue reading Goddard v Nationwide Building Society: CA 1986
21 people protested peacefully on the verge of the A344, next to the perimeter fence at Stonehenge. Some carried banners saying ‘Never Again,’ ‘Stonehenge Campaign 10 years of Criminal Injustice’ and ‘Free Stonehenge.’ The officer in charge concluded that they constituted a ‘trespassory assembly’ and told them so. When asked to move off, many did, … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones and Lloyd: HL 4 Mar 1999
A company director who was resident overseas may be subject to disqualification proceedings. Citations: Ind Summary 03-May-1993 Statutes: Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 6 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – In Re Seagull Manufacturing Co Ltd (In Liquidation); Tucker CA 22-Feb-1993 The court has jurisdiction to order the public examination of a company … Continue reading Re Seagull Manufacturing Co Ltd: ChD 3 May 1993
The defendant had when at the police station refused to leave his cell to attend for interview. At trial, the judge said that the jury could take account of this as a failure to mention when questioned, something which he now wished to rely upon. Held: No questioning had taken place, and the inference could … Continue reading Regina v Johnson; Regina v Hind: CACD 11 Apr 2005
The court was asked whether section 139 precluded a mental patient from applying for leave to move for judicial review. Held: A restriction on the bringing of civil or criminal proceedings imposed by the section 139 did not apply to proceedings for judicial review. Ackner LJ concluded that Parliament had not intended to bar the … Continue reading Ex parte Waldron: CA 1986
A meeting held on the highway is not for that reason alone necessarily to be regarded as an unlawful meeting. Lawfulness depends on the facts and circumstances in each case, and in particular whether an obstruction is caused. Such a meeting may be lawful within section 1 of the 1906 Act. Citations: [1911] 1 KB … Continue reading Burden v Rigler: KBD 1911
The defendant, aged 11, appealed against his conviction of an offence under the Public Order Act 1986, on evidence that he had thrown bricks at a police vehicle. He had then fled the scene. Held: The conviction was quashed. The fact that the defendant had run away might have indicated no more than that he … Continue reading A v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 1992
The appellants had been peacefully protesting at Stonehenge. They were among others who refused to leave when ordered to do so under an order made by the police officer in charge declaring it to be a trespassory assembly under the 1986 Act. They appealed saying that the assemply had been on a public highway, and … Continue reading Jones and Lloyd v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 23 Jan 1997
Standing to Claim under A1P1 ECHR The appellants had written employers’ liability insurance policies. They appealed against rejection of their challenge to the 2009 Act which provided that asymptomatic pleural plaques, pleural thickening and asbestosis should constitute actionable harm for the purposes of an action of damages for personal injury. Held: The insurers’ appeals failed. … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SC 12 Oct 2011
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
Appeal by case stated from conviction of affray Judges: Lord Justice Pill Mrs Justice Rafferty Citations: [2010] EWHC 994 (Admin), (2010) 174 JP 367 Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 3 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 03 February 2022; Ref: scu.416114
Forum Non Conveniens Restated The House reviewed the authorities on the principle of forum non conveniens and restated how to apply the principle where the defendant seeks a stay of proceedings on the ground that there is another more appropriate forum. Held: ‘In the result, it seems to me that the solution of disputes about … Continue reading Spiliada Maritime Corporation v Cansulex Ltd, The Spiliada: HL 1986
The deceased had been shot by soldiers of the British Army whilst in a car in Northern Ireland. The car was alleged to have ‘run’ a checkpoint. The claimants said the investigation, now 20 years ago, had been inadequate. The claim was brought under human rights law, but predated by many years the incorporation of … Continue reading In re McKerr (Northern Ireland): HL 11 Mar 2004
The appellant challenged her conviction for failing to comply with conditions imposed on a public demonstration. Her demonstration outside the Royal Courts of Justice had brought traffic to a standstill. At trial she had been refused permission to raise a fresh issue at trial, namely the proportionality of the condition. Held: The appeal was dismissed. … Continue reading James v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 13 Nov 2015
Need for Certainty in Scope of Offence The appellant suffered a severe chronic illness and anticipated that she might want to go to Switzerland to commit suicide. She would need her husband to accompany her, and sought an order requiring the respondent to provide clear guidelines on the circumstances under which someone might be prosecuted … Continue reading Purdy, Regina (on the Application of) v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 30 Jul 2009
The parties had arbitrated their dispute in London under a bilateral investment treaty between the US and Ecuador. The republic sought to appeal the arbitration. The applicant now appealed an order that the English High Court had jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The treaty was intended to encourage bilateral trading … Continue reading Occidental Exploration and Production Company vRepublic of Ecuador: CA 9 Sep 2005
The defendants appealed against their convictions for murder, saying that their defences of duress had been wrongly disallowed. Held: Duress is not a defence available on a charge of murder. When a defence of duress is raised, the test is whether the threat was so serious as would cause a reasonable man in the same … Continue reading Regina v Howe etc: HL 19 Feb 1986
The court was asked to decide from whom DNA samples could lawfully be taken by the Police,and for how long they should be kept. The first respondent now said that a declaration of incompatibility of section 64(1A) could not be avoided. Held: (Majority: Lord Dyson, Lord Phillips, Lady Hale, Lord Judge and Lord Kerr. Dissenting: … Continue reading GC v The Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 18 May 2011
Limitations to Judicial Reviw of Upper Tribunal Three claimants sought to challenge decisions of various Upper Tribunals by way of judicial review. In each case the request for judicial review had been first refused on the basis that having been explicitly designated as higher courts, the proper scope of judicial review was limited or excluded. … Continue reading Cart v The Upper Tribunal: SC 21 Jun 2011
The Corporation had commissioned a report as to its coverage of Middle East issues. The claimant requested a copy, and the BBC refused saying that the report having been obtained for its own journalistic purposes, and that it was not covered by the 2000 Act. The claimant appealed against a confirmation by the CA that … Continue reading Sugar v British Broadcasting Corporation and Another: HL 11 Feb 2009
Appeal about the proper approach of the courts where the defendant to a claim for possession of his home raises a defence of unlawful discrimination, contrary to the Equality Act 2010, by the claimant landlord. In particular, the issue is whether the courts are entitled to take the same summary approach to such a defence, … Continue reading Akerman-Livingstone v Aster Communities Ltd: SC 11 Mar 2015
The respondent had made an order under the Regulations restricting all persons from dealing with the the claimant bank. The bank applied to have the order set aside. Though the defendant originally believed that the Iranian government owned 80% of the shares, the figure was 20% and soon to be reduced to 15%. It said … Continue reading Bank Mellat v HM Treasury: QBD 11 Jun 2010
The parties had a joint venture agreement which provided that any dispute was to be referred to an arbitrator from the Ismaili community. The claimant said that this method of appointment became void as a discriminatory provision under the 2003 Regulations. The High Court found the appointment to be outwith the provisions, but this was … Continue reading Jivraj v Hashwani: SC 27 Jul 2011
Nature of Confidentiality in Information The appellant plaintiff company had employed the defendant as sales manager. The contract of employment made no provision restricting use of confidential information. He left to set up in competition. The company now sought to prevent him using confidential information for this purpose. Held: The information and the advantage flowing … Continue reading Faccenda Chicken Ltd v Fowler: CA 1986
The court was asked whether a police constable was a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress contrary to s. 5(1)(a) of the Public Order Act 1986. Held: Glidewell LJ discussed the offence under section 5 where words used toward the police officer were the basis of the charge: ‘I find nothing in … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Orum: 1988
The applicant publisher said that the finding against it of breach of confidence and the system of success fees infringed it Article 10 rights to freedom of speech. It had published an article about a model’s attendance at Narcotics anonymous meetings. Held: The finding of a breach of confidence against the applicant amounted to an … Continue reading MGN Limited v United Kingdom: ECHR 18 Jan 2011
The House gave guidance how it would treat an invitation to depart from a previous decision of the House. Such a course was possible, but the direction was not an ‘open sesame’ for a differently constituted committee to prefer their views to those of the committee which determined the decision unanimously or by a majority. … Continue reading Practice Statement (Judicial Precedent): HL 1966
The claimant was a post operative male to female trans-sexual. She claimed that her human rights were infringed when she was still treated as a man for National Insurance contributions purposes, where she continued to make payments after the age at which a woman would have ceased payments thus causing harassment. A second claimant again … Continue reading Goodwin v The United Kingdom: ECHR 11 Jul 2002
Honest and Reasonable mistake – No Bigamy The defendant appealed against her conviction for bigamy, saying that she had acted in a mistaken belief. Held: A man commits bigamy if he goes through a marriage ceremony while his wife is alive, even though he honestly and reasonably believes she is dead. ‘At common law an … Continue reading Regina v Tolson: CCR 11 May 1889
The parties disputed the trusts upon which three Gurdwaras (Sikh Temples) were held. The Court of Appeal had held that the issues underlying the dispute were to be found in matters of the faith of the Sikh parties, and had ordered a permanent stay. Held: The appeal was allowed. The matter was justiciable and should … Continue reading Shergill and Others v Khaira and Others: SC 11 Jun 2014
Not Homeless Even if Accomodation Inadequate The applicants, a married couple, lived with a young child and later also a baby in one room of a guest house. They were given breakfast but had no cooking or washing facilities. They succeeded on a judicial review of the housing authority’s decision that they had accommodation. They … Continue reading Regina v Hillingdon London Borough Council Ex parte Puhlhofer: HL 2 Jan 1986
The defendants appealed against convictions for using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour . . within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress. He had attended a parade celebrating the return of an army regiment from Afghanistan, but had demonstrated against the war. … Continue reading Abdul and Others v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 16 Feb 2011
The respondent had issued bonds but in 2001 had declared a moratorium on paying them. The appellant hedge fund later bought the bonds, heavily discounted. Judgment was obtained in New York, which the appellants now sought to enforce against assets in the UK. They argued that the terms of issue waived state immunity. Held: The … Continue reading NML Capital Ltd v Argentina: SC 6 Jul 2011
The claimants, demonstrators at the G20 summit, complained of the police policy of kettling, the containment of a crowd over a period of time, not because they were expected to to behave unlawfully, but to ensure a separation from those who were. Held: The request succeeded. The containment of the Climate Camp, and the pushing … Continue reading Moos and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Commissioner of the Police of The Metropolis: Admn 14 Apr 2011
(Orse Kebeline) The DPP’s appeal succeeded. A decision by the DPP to authorise a prosecution could not be judicially reviewed unless dishonesty, bad faith, or some other exceptional circumstance could be shown. A suggestion that the offence for which a prosecution was authorised was framed so as to breach the accused’s human rights was to … Continue reading Regina v Director of Public Prosecutions, ex parte Kebilene and others: HL 28 Oct 1999
The claimant sought to strike out defences of justification and fair comment saying that the pleadings were unsustainable for lack of clarity. Held: The pleadings did contain obfuscation, and ‘if there is a viable defence of justification or fair comment in relation to these very important and serious allegations, then it is in everyone’s interests … Continue reading Lord Ashcroft KCMG v Foley and Others: QBD 18 Feb 2011
Four brothers and sisters had been adopted after the parents had been found to have abused them. The parents now had expert evidence that the injuries may have been the result of scurvy, and sought leave to appeal. Held: Leave was refused. Cases involving the reversal of adoptions in the past had been brought far … Continue reading Webster (the Parents) v Norfolk County Council and others: CA 11 Feb 2009
Appeal against refusal of magistrates to allow witnesses to give evidence from behind screens. . .
The claimant’s product was made from drawings. The drawings were protected as copyright artistic works. They were reproduced in a three dimensional form by the claimant’s own products. Someone who copied the claimant’s products indirectly copied the . .
The claimant rights holders sought an order to require the defendant broadband internet provider to deny access to its users to websites which were said to facilitate the distribution of infringing copies of their films. An earlier judgment had . .
The parties were unmarried but had lived together. They now disputed the shares in which they had held the family home. It had been bought in joint names, but after Mr Kernott (K) left in 1993, Ms Jones (J) had made all payments on the house. She . .
The claimant pursued Employment Tribunal proceedings against the Immigration Service when his security clearance was withdrawn. The Tribunal allowed the respondent to use a closed material procedure under which it was provided with evidence unseen . .
The court heard appeals from rulings under the 2004 Act.
Held: In section 1, the hunting of a wild mammal did not include the search for an animal with a view to flushing it from cover. As to the exemptions, the operation of the 1980 Act and . .
Glidewell LJ discussed the offence under section 5 where words used toward the police officer were the basis of the charge: ‘Very frequently words and behaviour with which police officers will be wearily familiar will have little emotional impact on . .
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The claimant had been involved in a monthly cycle ride through central London which had continued for many years. The ride took place without any central organisation and without any route being pre-planned. They objected to being required to apply for a licence and to file a route with the Commissioner under section 11. The … Continue reading Kay v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis: HL 26 Nov 2008
The commissioner appealed against a judgment that a mass cycle ride held regularly but over different routes did not first require notice to be given. Held: The commissioner’s appeal succeeded. The fact that the route changed meant that the ride could not be considered to be customary, and so exempt from the notice requirements, however … Continue reading Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis v Kay: CA 21 May 2007
The managing director defendant had resigned before the end of the contractual term. There was an express covenant in his contract against using or disclosing the company’s confidential information during or after his employment. It was submitted that this was a repudiation which brought the contract to an end and with it any obligation to … Continue reading Thomas Marshall (Exports) Ltd v Guinle: ChD 1979
The plaintiff sought damages for breach of contract, for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and deceit and conspiracy. It sought a world-wide injunction. Held: A freezing order (Mareva injunction) can be made in respect of assets which were outside the jurisdiction. To meet the court’s concerns about the risk of oppression to the defendant arising … Continue reading Derby and Co Ltd v Weldon: CA 2 Jan 1989
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
ICO The complainant requested a series of correspondence relating to a proposed development in Llanelli town centre (1986-1993). The public authority disclosed some of the information in response to the request and informed the complainant that it did not hold the rest. The complainant complained to the Information Commissioner about the length of time it … Continue reading Carmarthenshire County Council (Decision Notice): ICO 24 Jul 2006
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 claimant bank said that it had been induced to create very substantial lending facilities by fraudulent misrepresentation by the defendants. They now appealed against findings that England was not clearly or distinctly the appropriate forum for resolution of VTB’s tort claims, and nor that there was a proper basis for piercing the corporate veil. … Continue reading VTB Capital Plc v Nutritek International Corp and Others: SC 6 Feb 2013
The claimant had been found guilty of the manslaughter by diminished responsibility of the deceased. He now sought disapplication of the 1982 Act. Held: The application failed: ‘The reforms introduced by the Homicide Act 1957 were designed to preserve certain classes of offender from capital punishment for killings carried out by reason of diminished responsibility … Continue reading D v L and Others: ChD 16 Apr 2003
Mrs Porter was a Romany gipsy who bought land in the Green Belt in 1985 and lived there with her husband in breach of planning control. The inspector gave her personal permission to continue use, and it had been appealed and cross appealed on the basis that the inspector’s reasons were insufficient. Held: Wherever an … Continue reading South Buckinghamshire District Council and Another v Porter (No 2): HL 1 Jul 2004
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
PC (Grenada) The defendant was editor of a newspaper which carried a story severely defamatory of the prime minister. He was convicted of criminal libel, and appealed. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The onus of proof remained, correctly, on the prosecution to prove that the libel was false. The prosecution also had to show that … Continue reading George Worme Grenada Today Limited v The Commissioner of Police: PC 29 Jan 2004
A contractor had done defective work in breach of a building contract with the developer but the loss was suffered by a third party who had by then purchased the development. The developer recovered the loss suffered by the purchaser. Held: The benefit of a contract may be assigned to a third party without the … Continue reading Linden Gardens Trust Ltd v Lenesta Sludge Disposals Ltd and Others; St. Martins Property Corporation Ltd v Sir Robert McAlpine: HL 8 Dec 1993
The parties had married, but the male partner was a transsexual, having been born female and having undergone treatment for Gender Identity Dysphoria. After IVF treatment, the couple had a child. As the marriage broke down the truth was revealed in court, but the plaintiff said that his wife had known the true position. He … Continue reading J v S T (Formerly J): CA 21 Nov 1996
The parties had gone through a form of marriage, but the purported husband was many years later revealed to be a female to male transsexual. The marriage had been annulled. There was now an application for ancillary relief. Held: Ancillary relief might be available to a trans-sexual whose marriage is annulled. The principle of public … Continue reading S v S-T (Formerly J): CA 25 Nov 1996
The official receiver began director disqualification proceedings, but before the proceedings commenced, the company was wound up. Where, on an application for the disqualification of a director, the official receiver and the Secretary of State became aware that the company had in fact already been dissolved, the normal course would be to transfer the proceedings … Continue reading Re NP Engineering and Security Products Ltd; Official Receiver and Another v Pafundo and Another: CA 22 Oct 1996
The families disputed a claim under the 1975 Act. The defendants now sought summary dismissal of the claim. Judges: Mostyn J Citations: [2015] EWHC 907 (Fam) Links: Bailii Statutes: Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Kemmis v Kemmis (Welland and Others Intervening) CA 1988 H had … Continue reading Dellal v Dellal and Others: FD 1 Apr 2015
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
(Plenary Court) The applicant was held in prison in the UK, pending extradition to the US to face allegations of murder, for which he faced the risk of the death sentence, which would be unlawful in the UK. If extradited, a representation would be made to the judge at the time of sentencing that the … Continue reading Soering v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Jul 1989
The applicant had been subject to company director disqualification proceedings. Eventually he gave an undertaking not to act as a company director, but then succeeded at the ECHR in a complaint of delay. He now sought release from his undertaking in the light of the ECHR judgment. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The decision of … Continue reading Eastaway v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: CA 10 May 2007
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
The two defendants escaped from Parkhurst Prison. On capture they said that as murderers, they had received notices that though they had behaved without criticism in prison, their tarriffs had been increased. They said they felt unable to face longer sentences, and would have committed suicide if they had stayed. Held: No such defence existed. … Continue reading Regina v Rodger, Rose: CACD 9 Jul 1997
Judges: Judge LJ, Mantell J Citations: [1997] EWCA Crim 80, [1997] 2 Cr App R (S) 191 Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 2(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 11 October 2022; Ref: scu.465421
The claimant advanced funds to the respondent for him to invest in a bank of which the claimant had insider knowledge. In fact the defendant did not invest the funds, the knowledge was incorrect. The defendant however did not return the sums advanced, saying he need not return it because the contract was for an … Continue reading Patel v Mirza: SC 20 Jul 2016
The applicants complained that as an unmarried couple they had been excluded from consideration as adopters. Held: Northern Ireland legislation had not moved in the same way as it had for other jurisdictions within the UK. The greater commitment to traditional family structures did not however justify the difference. The rules were unlawful discrimination.Lord Hoffmann … Continue reading In re P and Others, (Adoption: Unmarried couple) (Northern Ireland); In re G: HL 18 Jun 2008
