The applicant challenged the imposition of an anti-social behaviour order following his conviction. Citations: [2007] EWHC 883 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 5 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 12 December 2022; Ref: scu.251645
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
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 court had been asked to intervene in an internal dispute as to the role of an Imam in a mosque community. Held: The request was denied. The case was not one of public law: ‘ the particular function which the Imam was performing affected the applicant’s rights in a way which was peculiar to … Continue reading Regina v The Imam of Bury Park Mosque, Luton and others ex parte Sualiman Ali: CA 12 May 1993
The claimant requested that the Crown court state a case. He had been convicted under the 1986 Act after remonstrating with the lady driver of another car. She had locked her doors and remained seated at all time. The court had refused to admit into evidence her previous convictions saying that they were irrelevant. The … Continue reading Jefferies, Regina (on The Application of) v St Albans Crown Court and Another: Admn 15 Feb 2012
Judges: Moses LJ, Irwin J Citations: [2012] EWHC 605 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 4(1) Crime Updated: 05 October 2022; Ref: scu.452176
The jockey claimant challenged disciplinary proceedings brought against him by the defendant authority. Held: The findings were upheld in part but remitted for consideration of giving the claimant opportunity to challenge certain evidence. Citations: [2010] EWHC 508 (QB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Nagle v Fielden CA 1966 The applicant, a … Continue reading McKeown v British Horseracing Authority: QBD 12 Mar 2010
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
World-wide freezing orders had been made under the 1982 Act. The defendants were members of a Turkish family with substantial business interests in the telecommunications industry. In breach of orders made in the US some defendants had sought to hide their assets. They had failed to respond as required to orders to disclose their assest, … Continue reading Motorola Credit Corporation v Uzan and others (No 2): CA 12 Jun 2003
The ingredients of the offence of conspiracy are complete once there is agreement between two or more persons. An overt act is not itself an ‘element’ of the conspiracy. There is a crime of unlawfully assembling in such a manner as to disturb the public peace. Citations: [1974] AC 104, [1973] 2 All ER 1242, … Continue reading Kamara v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 1973
Two of those participating in a march demonstrating against cuts in the education budget, left that march to join the Occupy Movement’s demonstration in Trafalgar Square against the excesses of capitalism. They were, convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court of breaching conditions imposed under section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986 in respect of the … Continue reading Jukes and Others v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 16 Jan 2013
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 House heard a judicial review of the Secretary of State’s assessment of the proper level of expenditure by a local authority. Held: A ‘low intensity’ of review is applied to cases involving issues ‘depending essentially on political judgment’.Lord Scarman said: ‘To sum it up, the levels of public expenditure and the incidence and distribution … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Environment, ex parte Nottinghamshire County Council: HL 12 Dec 1985
(Jamaica) When the Privy Council considered a petition for mercy by a person sentenced to death, it could not revisit the decision, but could look only at the procedural fairness of the system. The system should allow properly for representations, and the necessary disclosures to be made. Such a petition should be the last step … Continue reading Lewis, Taylor and Mcleod, Brown, Taylor and Shaw v the Attorney General of Jamaica and Another: PC 12 Sep 2000
The defendants appealed convictions for contempt of court, on the basis of having wilfully interrupted the court. The respondent said that no appeal lay. Held: The statute was ambiguous, and ‘there can be no good reason why a person convicted under s.12 should not have a right of appeal against conviction as well as against … Continue reading Haw and Another v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: Admn 12 Dec 2007
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 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 petitioner intended to seek a declaration as to her marital status. She and the respondent had married in a civil ceremony in British Columbia in 2003. She sought a declaration of incompatibility with regard to section 11(3) of the 1973 Act so far as it failed to recognise same sex marriages. She now sought … Continue reading Wilkinson v Kitzinger and Another: FD 12 Apr 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 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
EAT Unfair Dismissal – OtherThe employer appealed a finding of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. She suffered an apparently minor injury, but which led to long standing disability with varying diagnoses. The company doctor came to consider it would be a long time before she could return. She was dismissed for capability. Held: There was … Continue reading Gate Gourmet v J B Jangra: EAT 12 Dec 2000
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
Freedom of expression, as secured in paragraph 1 of Article 10, constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and one of the basic conditions for its progress and for each individual’s self-fulfilment. Subject to paragraph 2, it is applicable not only to ‘information’ or ‘ideas’ that are favourably received or regarded as … Continue reading Lingens v Austria: ECHR 8 Jul 1986
(Trinidad and Tobago) The claimant was arrested following expiry of the last of his work permits and after he had failed to provide evidence of his intention to leave. As he was arrested he was also arrested for assaulting a police officer. He was not brought to court, and sought habeas corpus. An order was … Continue reading Naidike, Naidike and Naidike v The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago: PC 12 Oct 2004
The district auditor had issued a certificate under the 1982 Act surcharging the appellant councillors in the sum of 106,103, pounds being the amount of a loss incurred or deficiency caused, as the auditor found, by their wilful misconduct. Held: An aggrieved objector to local government spending should pursue his rights under the Act and … Continue reading Lloyd v McMahon: HL 12 Mar 1987
The claimant was born an Iraqi, but had been granted British Nationality. He was later detained in Iraq suspected of membership of a terrorist group. No charges were brought, and he complained that his article 5 rights were infringed. The defendant argued that UN resolution 1546 requiring it to maintain order in Iraq displaced the … Continue reading Al-Jedda, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Defence: Admn 12 Aug 2005
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
There had been an expropriation by Spanish decrees of shares in a Spanish company whose English subsidiary had rights in trade marks which it had sold to a Jersey company. The Spanish and English companies sought certain relief in relation to the trade marks, but the dispossessed proprietors sought to argue that the Spanish decrees … Continue reading Williams and Humbert Ltd v W and H Trade Marks (Jersey) Ltd: HL 1986
The plaintiffs complained of the whole of one article and parts of two other articles published about them in The Observer. The defamatory sting was that Mr Asil Nadir (the fourth plaintiff) had deceived or negligently misled shareholders, investors, and members of the general public as to the operation of the first three plaintiffs, which … Continue reading Polly Peck PLC v Trelford: 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 appellant’s land was to be taken under compulsory purchase by the Council who wished to use it to assist Tesco in the construction of a new supermarket. Tesco promised to help fund restoration of a local listed building. Sainsbury objected an now appealed against the Court of Appeal’s overturning of the orer in its … Continue reading Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v Wolverhampton City Council and Another: SC 12 May 2010
The court considered the power of an English court over a foreign resident under section 133. Held: In contrast with the private examination provisions, on its true construction section 133 applies to those who are within the class of persons specified in subsection (1), namely those who have voluntarily participated in the affairs of the … Continue reading In re Seagull Manufacturing Co Ltd: ChD 1992
F who was 16 years old when he appeared before the juvenile court charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. The justices decided to proceed summarily. No plea was taken. After being released on bail, he later appeared before a different bench, facing additional charges. The justices purported to reverse the previous decision. … Continue reading Regina v Newham Juvenile Court ex parte F (A Minor): QBD 1986
The court gave general guidance on criminal practice. As to voluntary bills of indictment, to protect defendants: ‘save where there are good grounds for doing otherwise – (1) They must receive notice of an application for a Voluntary Bill with copies of all documents relied upon to support the application: (2) They must have an … Continue reading Consolidated Practice Direction: LCJ 2002
Communal landings outside flats in a block do not form part of a home. Citations: Times 09-Jun-1993 Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 4-2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 28 April 2022; Ref: scu.88912
The defendant appealed by case stated from his conviction for using a motor vehicle fitted with a siren. When stopped various items suggesting that driver might be providing an ambulance service were found. The siren was not used. Held: The test was: ‘is the vehicle concerned used (or primarily used) for conveying the sick, the … Continue reading Lord-Castle v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 23 Jan 2009
A preacher repeatedly displayed posters such as ‘Stop Homosexuality’ and ‘Stop Lesbianism’. He had been convicted of displaying a sign which was threatening abusive or insulting within the sight of a person likely to be caused harrassment alarm on distress. On one occasion a crowd of 30 or more had gathered outside his house. Held: … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Hammond: QBD 13 Jan 2004
Citations: [1997] EWHC Admin 319 Statutes: Public Order Act 1986 4 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Regina v Constanza CACD 6-Mar-1997 An assault committed if there was fear of violence created even though it might not ne an immediate threat. . . Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete. Crime … Continue reading Valentine v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 24 Mar 1997
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
The appeal concerned a final third party debt order (formerly a garnishee order). A judgment in France was registered here for enforcement. That jurisdiction was now challenged. Held: A third party debt order is a proprietary remedy operating by attachment against the property of the judgment debtor. The property so attached is the chose in … Continue reading Societe Eram Shipping Company Limited and others v Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp Ltd, Compagnie Internationale de Navigation: HL 12 Jun 2003
The plaintiff bought her apartment, but discovered later that the foundations were defective. The local authority had supervised the compliance with Building Regulations whilst it was being built, but had failed to spot the fault. The authority appealed a finding that it was liable, arguing that the claims were time barred and that it had … Continue reading Anns and Others v Merton London Borough Council: HL 12 May 1977
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
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
Appeal from a decision dismissing an application by Hugh Jordan for judicial review of the ‘continuing decision’ of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland refusing to give reasons other than in the most general terms for his decision not to prosecute the police officer who caused the death of Pearse Jordan, the son … Continue reading Jordan, Re Application for Judicial Review: CANI 12 Dec 2003
The defendant was convicted of causing actual bodily harm, mainly on the basis of statements which his wife and daughter had given to the police. His wife and daughter took advantage of their right not to give evidence at his trial and so could not be cross-examined on their statements. Held: Where a conviction is … Continue reading Unterpertinger v Austria: ECHR 24 Nov 1986
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
Disapplication of Without Prejudice Rules The House was asked whether a letter sent during without prejudice negotiations which acknowledged a debt was admissible to restart the limitation period. An advice centre, acting for the borrower had written, in answer to a claim by the lender for the sum still due after the sale of the … Continue reading Bradford and Bingley Plc v Rashid: HL 12 Jul 2006
The defendant apealed against his conviction for having taken part in a public procession, a a Critical Mass Cycle Ride, knowingly in breach of conditions attached to it by the Police. The defendant had argued that the ride was not a procession. Held: The appeal failed. ‘The power to give directions is to be used, … Continue reading Powlesland v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 9 Dec 2013
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 appellant sought judicial review of the magistrates’ decision to convict him of the two offences of causing racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence, contrary to section 31(1)(a) of the 1998 Act, and of causing fear or provocation of violence, contrary to section 4 of the 1986 Act. He said that to convict him … Continue reading Dyer, Regina (on The Application of) v Watford Magistrates Court: Admn 16 Jan 2012
The appellant had failed in his claim for indirect age discrimination. Approaching retirement, he complained that new conditions allowing advancement to graduates only, discriminated against him since he could not complete a degree before retiring. Held: The appeal succeeded, but the case was remitted to investigate whether the discrimination could be properly justified: ‘Part of … Continue reading Homer v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police: SC 25 Apr 2012
In the course of ancillary relief proceedings in a divorce, questions arose regarding company assets owned by the husband. The court was asked as to the power of the court to order the transfer of assets owned entirely in the company’s names. The judge had made such an order, finding evidence that the companies had … Continue reading Prest v Petrodel Resources Ltd and Others: SC 12 Jun 2013
The claimant suffered locked-in syndrome and sought relief in a form which would allow others to assist him in committing suicide. The court considered whether the case should be allowed to proceed rather than to be struck out as hopeless. Held: The case was arguable and should be allowed to proceed: ‘However, the point that … Continue reading Nicklinson v Ministry of Justice and Others: QBD 12 Mar 2012
The appellant, former chair of a road activist group, challenged certain roads orders saying that the respondent had not carried out the required environmental assessment. His claim was that the road had been adopted without the consultation required by the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (‘the SEA Directive’), and that that the scope of the public … Continue reading Walton v The Scottish Ministers: SC 17 Oct 2012
Weighing Interest of Seeker of Judicial Review The court recast in simpler language the provision in section 75 empowering the Secretary of State to make a merger reference to the Commission: ‘where it appears to him that it is or may be the fact that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried … Continue reading Regina v Monopolies and Mergers Commission, ex parte Argyll Group plc: CA 14 Mar 1986
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 claimant was a former Kenyan minister. He had been visiting the UK for medical treatment. His visas were cancelled on the basis that his presence was not conducive to the public good. Public Interest Immunity certificates had been issued to prevent his seeing some the evidence on which the orders had been made. A … Continue reading Murungaru v Secretary of State for the Home Department and others: CA 12 Sep 2008
The defendant sought judicial review of a decision of the magistrates to adjourn a case where, on the day before, a differently constitued bench had refused an adjournment requested by the prosecution. On the first occasion the prosecutor had not had all the facts and the court had assumed that the fault was that of … Continue reading Jones v South East Surrey Local Justice Area: Admn 12 Mar 2010
The claimant worked as personal assistant to a well known public relations company. She alleged that the defendant had intercepted telephone message given by and left for her. The court was asked first as to whether the information amounted to ‘technical or commercial information’ within the definition of ‘intellectual property’ in section 72(5) of the … Continue reading Phillips v Mulcaire: SC 24 May 2012
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 court was asked whether the 1977 Act required a local authorty to obtain a court order before taking possession of interim accommodation it provided to an apparently homeless person while it investigated whether it owed him or her a duty under Part VII of the 1996 Act, and (ii) whether a public authority, which … Continue reading ZH and CN, Regina (on The Applications of) v London Boroughs of Newham and Lewisham: SC 12 Nov 2014
No fear, no offence The defendant appealed against a conviction under section 4 of the 1986 Act. He had punched the victim unexpectedly and from behind, knocking him out. He argued that there was no evidence that he had caused the victim to believe that violence was to be used. Held: While the evidence brought … Continue reading Hughes v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 31 Jan 2012
Non-resident parents in each case appealed against suspended orders of imprisonment for non-payment of child support. They argued that the procedures used were indistinguishable from those held to be human rights non-compliant in Mubarak. Held: The Commission had not taken all alternative enforcement steps first as required by the Act, and accordingly it was ot … Continue reading Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission v Gibbons; Same v Karoonian: CA 30 Oct 2012
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 Tribunal had confirmed the appellant’s refugee status, but the respondent had ordered nevertheless that she be returned. The judge’s order setting aside that decision had been overturned in the Court of Appeal. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. The Convention set two standards of protection for refugees. Article 33 prevented the return of anyone to … Continue reading ST Eritrea, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 21 Mar 2012
The appellant was disabled, had legal qualifications, and worked with the respondent as a volunteer. She had sought assistance under the Disability Discrimination Act, now the 2012 Act, saying that she counted as a worker. The tribunal and CA had found no contractual relationship. She said that under the 2000 Directive (the Framework Directive ‘FD’) … Continue reading X v Mid Sussex Citizens Advice Bureau and Another: SC 12 Dec 2012
The appellants had entered Fortnum and Masons to demonstrate against tax avoidance. They appealed against convitions for aggravated trespass. Held: The statutory question posed by s.68 is whether the prosecution can prove that the trespasser has done anything on the land (‘there’), apart from trespassing, with the required statutory intent? As to that, there is … Continue reading Bauer and Others v The Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 22 Mar 2013
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
(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 directors appealed against disqualification orders made against them under the 1986 Act. Their company had become insolvent, owing substantial arrears of PAYE and NI contributions. The revenue had said that they had paid other creditors first. Held: When considering appeals to avoid disqualification, a court would be better guided by the use of the … Continue reading Cathie and Another v Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills: CA 1 Jun 2012
The defendant had been accused of attempting to import controlled drugs, but the substances actually found were not in fact a controlled drug, though he had believed and intended them to be. He appealed saying that he should not be conviced of an . .
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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 . .
Three appeals against the levels of damages awards were heard together, and the court considered the principles to be applied.
Held: In assessing compensation following a libel, the essential question was how much loss and damage did the . .
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 . .
1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts
Towards the end of a substantial May Day demonstration on the streets of London, police surrounded about 3,000 people in Oxford Circus and did not allow them to leave for seven hours. The claimant who was present, but not involved in any of the organisation sought damages. Held: Police have powers to act out of … Continue reading Austin and Saxby v Commissioner of the Police for the Metropolis: QBD 23 Mar 2005
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
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 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
Judges: Phillips J Citations: (1975) 31 P and CR 120 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Re Poyser and Mills’ Arbitration 1963 The section at issue imposed a duty upon a tribunal to which the Act applies or any minister who makes a decision after the holding of a statutory inquiry to give reasons … Continue reading Hope v Secretary of State for the Environment: 1975
The court considered whether the state in which enforcement of a judgment will take place should be the place where the debt is situated upon which it is sought to execute. Held: There was nothing to preclude English courts from granting Mareva type injunctions against defendants extending to assets outside the jurisdiction, but the court … Continue reading Babanaft International Co SA v Bassatne: CA 30 Jun 1988
The appellant’s employment had terminated in circumstances where he had threatened to publicise matters about the defendant’s activities, but had failed to co-operate with the company in investigating his allegations by particularising them. Held: The appeals were misconceived and bound to fail. Leave to appeal was refused. Judges: Waite LJ, Singer J Citations: [1997] EWCA … Continue reading Vickerstaff v Edbro Plc: CA 28 Jan 1997
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 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
The respondent had failed to renew the claimant’s license to fish in the South Atlantic for Patagonian Toothfish. The refusal had been found to be unlawful. The claimant now sought damages. Held: English law does not generally provide a remedy in damages for a breach of a public law right. There must exist a private … Continue reading Quark Fishing Ltd, Regina (on the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Admn 22 Jul 2003
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 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
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
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