The plaintiff had a cheque account at the Borough Branch and drew a cheque on the cheque forms which had been provided. He crossed out the word `Borough’ and put in `Bromley’. He altered the address and he initialled the cheque. Later he decided to stop payment on the cheque, telephoning the Bromley Branch and … Continue reading Burnett v Westminster Bank Ltd: ChD 1965
The parties, a married couple disputed the shares in which the matrimonial home, formerly held by them as joint tenants would be held after severance o that joint tenancy. Held: The wife was entitled to a half share in the property.Russell LJ considered that the court had no jurisdiction under section 17 of the 1882 … Continue reading Bedson v Bedson: CA 1965
The Court considered provisions in Section 102 of the Mental Health Act 1959. This section empowered the judge to secure (the doing of all such things as appear necessary . . ) ‘(b) for the maintenance or other benefit of members of the patient’s family; or (c) for making provision for other persons or purposes … Continue reading In re DML: ChD 1965
Citations: 1965 JC 32 Jurisdiction: Scotland Cited by: Cited – Ambrose v Harris, Procurator Fiscal, Oban, etc SC 6-Oct-2011 (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 … Continue reading Law v McNicol: 1965
An easement arising by prescription involves a fictional lost grant. The court considered the extent of user of an easement in relation to a prescriptive right of way for the benefit of land used as a caravan site: ‘A right to use a way for this purpose or that has never been to my knowledge … Continue reading British Railways Board v Glass: CA 1965
The plaintiff took her mink stole to the defendants for cleaning. An employee received and stole the fur. The judge had held that the defendants were not liable because the theft was not committed in the course of employment. Held: The defendants were liable. Bailment includes as an element an assumption of responsibility by the … Continue reading Morris v C W Martin and Sons Ltd: CA 1965
A tenancy at will can be determined by either party on his expressly or impliedly intimating to the other his wish that the tenancy should be at an end. The issuing of a writ claiming possession is a sufficient demand for possession to bring the tenancy to an end. The statutory minimum period of four … Continue reading Crane v Morris: 1965
The court made a declaration of parentage where the legal parentage differs from the biological parentage of a child, in this case, where the child was subsequently adopted but wished to have acknowledgement of their ‘natural’ or biological parentage. Hogg J said: ‘The declaration [of natural parentage] sought would not alter or affect the validity … Continue reading M v W (declaration of parentage): FD 2007
A father took his son into a farming partnership. The agreement recited that they agreed that ‘the heritable property should be taken as of the value of eight thousand pounds, but which is burdened with a heritable security for three thousand five hundred pounds’. Proper books of account were to be kept. Until 1963 the … Continue reading Noble v Noble: OHCS 1965
HL Income tax, Schedule D – Profits tax – Deduction – Oil dealing company – Exclusivity agreement with retailers – Premises leased from retailer and sublet to him – Whether premium for lease paid on capital or revenue account – Income Tax Act 1952 (15 and 16 Geo. 6 and 1 Eliz. 2, c. 10), … Continue reading Regent Oil Co Ltd v Strick (Inspector of Taxes): HL 27 Jul 1965
A claim was made against the widow and administratrix of the deceased’s estate by his surviving brother. The widow wrote to the creditor: ‘Keep a check on totals and amounts I owe you and we will have account now and then . . .Sorry I cannot do you a cheque yet. Terribly short at the … Continue reading Dungate v Dungate: CA 1965
(High Court of Australia) Barwick CJ said: ‘By engaging in a sport or pastime the participants may be held to have accepted risks which are inherent in that sport or pastime: the tribunal of fact can make its own assessment of what the accepted risks are: but this does not eliminate all duty of care … Continue reading Rootes v Shelton: 1965
Under the section, the benefit of improvements would only be obtained by the tenant if carried out during the current tenancy. Viscount Simonds said: ‘If there is any ambiguity about the extent of (the) derogation (by a statute from common law rights), the principle is clear that it is to be resolved in favour of … Continue reading East Coast Amusement v British Transport Board; Re “Wonderland” Cleethorps: HL 1965
The defendant union officials threatened a building contractor with a strike unless he terminated a sub-contract for the supply of labour. They obviously knew that there was a contract, since they wanted it terminated, but did not know its terms and, in particular, how soon it could be terminated. Held: Lord Denning MR said: ‘Even … Continue reading Emerald Construction Co v Lowthian: CA 1965
It is for the detaining authority to justify all periods of detention. The court described the common law duty on a prosecutor to disclose material. Lord Denning MR said: ‘The duty of a prosecuting counsel or solicitor, as I have always understood it, is this: if he knows of a credible witness who can speak … Continue reading Dallison v Caffery: CACD 1965
The statement followed the report of the Sentencing Advisory Panel of March 15, 2002. The statement contained guidance, not firm rules. The phrase ‘minimum term’ should replace the term ‘tariff’. Offenders are normally not released on the expiry of the minimum term. The judge should say how the minimum term had been arrived at, and … Continue reading Practice Statement (Crime: Life sentences): LCJ 31 May 2002
Buckley J said that the words ‘unless the contrary intention applies’ mean ‘unless the contrary appears from any surrounding circumstances which carry conviction to the mind of the court’. He also agreed with the submission ‘that the evidence indicating a contrary intention must be strong’. Judges: Buckley J Citations: [1965] 1 Ch 1124 Jurisdiction: England … Continue reading In Re Jones Will Trusts: ChD 11 Jan 1965
The House analysed the authorities on the law of larceny and robbery, and declared its current state. While in earlier times robbery may have been limited to where there was actual violence, it became sufficient that there was ‘a putting in fear of violence as by a threat of violence’. Lord Pearce discussed the common … Continue reading Regina v Desmond: HL 1965
The significance of the distinction between occupation and rights was that although the deserted wife was in actual occupation of the former matrimonial home, the quality of her rights was not such as to be capable of amounting to an overriding interest. A purchaser of land and in particular a reversion to a lease, will … Continue reading National Provincial Bank Limited v Ainsworth: HL 1965
The plaintiff alleged a conspiracy to deprive him of his shares and interest in a company. Each side filed affidavit evidence raising issues of fact. With no oral evidence or cross examination on the affidavits, the Master, after a four day hearing, made a striking out order which was upheld on appeal to the Judge … Continue reading Wenlock v Moloney: CA 1965
The leaving of furniture in a flat or having a key to the flat or making occasional use of it was not enough to constitute actual occupation. Where A permits B to occupy land on B’s own behalf by way of gratuitous licence, A’s capacity as licensor will not by itself entitle him to claim … Continue reading Strand Securities Ltd v Caswell: CA 2 Feb 1965
HCA – Appeal – New Trial – Fresh evidence – Tending to prove verdict obtained by fraud – Principles of grant of new trial on grounds of fraud and discovery of fresh evidence.the High Court of Australia applied Hip Foong Hong and Jonesco v Beard and rejected the notion that, to set aside a judgment … Continue reading McDonald v McDonald: 13 Aug 1965
The original owner of the estate alleged to be subject to a building scheme had not laid out the estate in lots before selling off plots on it. The court considered whether a building scheme had been established. Held: The failure did not mean that a building scheme was ineffective.Cross J referred to the difficulty … Continue reading Baxter v Four Oaks Properties Limited: ChD 1965
(Australia) When a policeman who had retired retired through injury sought damages for that injury, the pension he received as a result of his retirement was to be ignored entirely: ‘In recent years, however, the relevance or otherwise to the issue of damages of the fact that an injured person is entitled to a pension … Continue reading Jones v Gleeson: 1965
The parties had entered into an agreement for a lease, but had not specified a date for its commencement. Held: In the case of a lease or agreement to lease, the essential terms will usually be the parties, the premises, the term and the rent. In the case of an agreement for a lease, unless … Continue reading Harvey v Pratt: CA 1965
A boy was received into the care of the local authority in 1954, when he was 5 weeks old. The local authority entrusted him to foster parents, who signed an agreement that the boy could be removed from them when required by an authorised person. In . .
The tenant had occupied the premises under a long lease which expired by effluxion of time. The landlord failed to take any steps to retake possession, and the tenant continued as a tenant at will, paying no rent. The landlord eventually issued . .
References: [1965] AC 58 Coram: Viscount Simonds Ratio:Under the section, the benefit of improvements would only be obtained by the tenant if carried out during the current tenancy. Viscount Simonds said: ‘If there is any ambiguity about the extent of (the) derogation (by a statute from common law rights), the principle is clear that it … Continue reading East Coast Amusement v British Transport Board; Re ‘Wonderland’ Cleethorps: HL 1965
References: [1965] P 675 Coram: Scarman J Scarman J dismissed the idea that the standard of proof required to prevent an inference of the revival of a domicile of origin on the loss of a domicile of choice was the criminal standard. An inference drawn by the court must be consistent with all the relevant … Continue reading Re Fuld (deceased) (No. 3): 1965
References: [1965] AC 58 Coram: Viscount Simonds Under the section, the benefit of improvements would only be obtained by the tenant if carried out during the current tenancy. Viscount Simonds said: ‘If there is any ambiguity about the extent of (the) derogation (by a statute from common law rights), the principle is clear that it … Continue reading East Coast Amusement v British Transport Board; Re Wonderland” Cleethorps: HL 1965″
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Tenants of apartments asked the Rent Officer to fix the fair rents. On appeal, the rents were then set at a rate lower even than they had requested. The rents would serve as a guide for other local rents. The landlords now complained that the chairman of the Rent Assessment Committee had been assisting his … Continue reading Metropolitan Properties Company (FGC) Limited v Lannon: 11 Jul 1968
The authority resisted an application by the tenant to buy the property let as a council dwelling saying that the tenant was using it for mixed residential and business purposes. The tenant said that the business use had finished, and that the tenancy had become secure. Held: The court noted the change in definitions of … Continue reading Webb and Barrett v London Borough of Barnet: CA 1988
The court was asked to make an order against persons unknown in order to recover land. Although an owner of land which was being occupied by squatters was entitled to take the remedy into his own hand, he was encouraged to go to a common law court . .
References: [1968] RVR 490, [1968] EWCA Civ 5, [1968] 3 All ER 304, [1968] 3 WLR 694, (1968) 19 P & CR 856, [1969] 1 QB 577 Links: Bailii Coram: Lord Denning MR, Danckwerts LJ, Edmund Davies LJ Tenants of apartments asked the Rent Officer to fix the fair rents. On appeal, the rents were … Continue reading Metropolitan Properties Company (FGC) Limited v Lannon; 11 Jul 1968
(Court of Appeal of Alberta) The court set out a number of propositions as to the intention required for inducing a breach of contract. These included inferred intention and recklessness. The Court of Appeal held as follows: ‘In order to find liability [for inference with contractual relations], a plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant had … Continue reading 369413 Alberta Ltd v Pocklington: 21 Nov 2000
A person in actual occupation of registered land at time of transfer can enforce his rights against the transferee. A sub-underlessee in occupation of part could enforce an option to purchase against the freeholder acquiring intermediate registered title. Actual occupation of part of the land comprised in a registered disposition protected a right or interest … Continue reading Ferrishurst Ltd v Wallcite Ltd: CA 30 Nov 1998
BP sought compensation after its land had been acquired compulsorily. The council said its claim was time barred. BP appealed from the Lands Tribunal, saying an agreement with the Authority had kept its claim alive. Held: The fact of entry did not prevent purchase by agreement, which was usual. The agreement gave rise to a … Continue reading BP Oil UK Ltd v Kent County Council: CA 13 Jun 2003
The court refused to set aside the council’s decision to register as a common a lesser area then applied for. ‘ Does the council have power to register a smaller area than applied for? It is perfectly true that there is no express power in either the Act or the Regulations to register a smaller … Continue reading Regina (Alfred McAlpine Homes Ltd) v Staffordshire County Council: 17 Jan 2002
Appeals were brought complaining as to the apparent reversal of the burden of proof in road traffic cases and in cases under the Terrorism Acts. Was a legal or an evidential burden placed on a defendant? Held: Lord Bingham of Cornhill said: ‘The overriding concern is that a trial should be fair, and the presumption … Continue reading Sheldrake v Director of Public Prosecutions; Attorney General’s Reference No 4 of 2002: HL 14 Oct 2004
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 lease demised property ‘from the 24th day of June 1985 for a term of twenty years’ with a break clause requiring six month’s notice. The break notice was mistakenly calculated from the anniversary of the lease, not the anniversary of the term. At first instance, the lease was held not to have been validly … Continue reading Garston and Others v Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Society: CA 25 Jun 1998
The appellant argued that, since the Crown had had no power to make laws for the colony of Ceylon which offended against fundamental principles, at independence it could not hand over to Ceylon a higher power than it possessed itself. Held: The power of the King in Council to make prerogative orders in respect of … Continue reading Campbell v Hall: 1774
The local authority made a CPO in 1981 in respect of a sports ground. The applicants later acquired the land. In 1989 the order was confirmed and in March 1989 a vesting order was made. The authority was unable to afford to complete the purchase. In October 1992, the applicant sought a declaration that the … Continue reading Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd v Hastings Borough Council: ChD 23 Jun 1993
The defendant firm of solicitors, acting as executors had sought to arrange matters to minimise Inheritance Tax. A deed of variation was put in place after approval by the court, but the CTO interpreted the deed differently. The executors believed the interpretation to be wrong and sought advantage from that interpretation on counsel’s advice. Negligence … Continue reading Jemma Trust Company Ltd v Kippax Beaumont Lewis (A Firm) and others: CA 11 Mar 2005
A right of way had arisen by prescription in favour of land which had two detached dwelling houses on it. Held: The right of way could continue to be used, even after the two houses had been demolished and replaced by a three-storey block of six flats, a bungalow, a house and eight garages, a … Continue reading Giles v County Building Constructors (Hertford) Limited: ChD 1971
Defamation – Large Damages Awards MGN appealed as to the level of damages awarded against it namely pounds 350,000 damages, comprising pounds 75,000 compensatory damages and pounds 275,000 exemplary damages. The newspaper contended that as a matter of principle there is no scope in law for awarding exemplary damages, either generally or in the particular … Continue reading John v MGN Ltd: CA 12 Dec 1995
The claimant was the child complainant in an allegation of sexual assault. The defendant requested her medical records, and she now complained that she had been unfairly pressured into releasing them. Held: The confidentiality of a patient’s medical records belongs to the patient, and the duty of confidence owed by a medical professional to a … Continue reading TB, Regina (on the Application of) v The Combined Court at Stafford: Admn 4 Jul 2006
The parties had litigated the sale of land free of restrictive covenants. Held: The rule that a party was entilted to its costs of defending an action under the Act for the discharge of a covenant at least as far as was necessary for it to have been able to establish whether it was proper … Continue reading University of East London Higher Education Corporation v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and others: ChD 14 Dec 2004
Estoppel Cannot Oust Statutory Discretion The plaintiff had been refused planning permission for a factory. The refusals were followed by the issue of Enforcement Notices and Stop Notices. The plaintiff said that they had been given re-assurances upon which they had relied. Held: The appeal failed. The court tried to reconcile invocations of estoppel with … Continue reading Western Fish Products Ltd v Penwith District Council and Another: CA 22 May 1978
The plaintiff builders had been chasing payment of their undisputed invoice. Knowing that the builders were in financial difficulties, the defendant offered rather less, saying that if it was not accepted, she would pay nothing. She made the payment in full and final satisfaction of the debt. Held: The claim for the balance succeeded. The … Continue reading D and C Builders Ltd v Rees: CA 1966
A gratuitous bailee assumes a duty to take reasonable care of the chattel: ‘This standard, although high, may be a less exacting standard than that which the common law requires of a bailee for reward [but] the line between the two standards is a very fine line, difficult to discern and impossible to define.’‘When, a … Continue reading Port Swettenham Authority v T W Wu and Co (M) Sdn Bhd: PC 19 Jun 1978
The claimant alleged that she had been discrimated against in her work for the appellant, a member of the diplomatic staff at the Saudi Embassy in London. She now appealed against a decision that the respondent had diplomatic immunity. Held: The appeal was allowed: ‘the question whether the exception in article 31(1)(c) would have applied … Continue reading Reyes v Al-Malki and Another: SC 18 Oct 2017
The court considered the compatibility with EU law of regulations 21 and 24 of the 2006 Regulations, and the legality at common law of the appellant’s administrative detention from 3 April until 6 June 2012 and of bail restrictions thereafter until 2 January 2013. The regulations were designed to give effect to the Citizens Directive … Continue reading Nouazli, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 20 Apr 2016
The claimant sought an order to prevent the defendant, a former employee, from misusing its confidential information said to be held by her. Her contract contained no post employment restrictions but did seek to control confidential and other information. She had obtained employment with a customer of the claimant, and was said to carry out … Continue reading Caterpillar Logistics Services (UK) Ltd v Huesca De Crean: QBD 2 Dec 2011
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
UTLC COMPENSATION – compulsory purchase of part of forecourt to commercial premises and half road width for highway improvements – loss of rent and rental voids – injurious affection – valuation assumptions – personal time – pre-reference costs – Land Compensation Act 1961 section 5, rule (6) and Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 section 7 – … Continue reading Welford v Transport for London: UTLC 9 Apr 2010
The Court was asked whether an employee’s remuneration is taxable as his or her emoluments or earnings when it is paid to a third party in circumstances in which the employee had no prior entitlement to receive it himself or herself. Held: The company’s appeal failed. The purposive approach to the interpretation of the general … Continue reading RFC 2012 Plc (Formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc) v Advocate General for Scotland: SC 5 Jul 2017
The House considered whether the meaning of the phrase ‘a person having control’ extended to control by more than one person. This depended on whether the word ‘person’ in the singular was to be construed as including the plural. Held: The House applied the 1889 Act. A permissible aid to construction of a stautute is … Continue reading Floor v Davis (Inspector of Taxes): HL 1979
(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 former tenant had set out to buy the council house, but had written to say that she did not intend to go ahead. Her son who had taken over the tenancy after her death now sought, twelve years later, to require the authority to proceed at that original price. Held: The tenant’s appeal was … Continue reading Martin v Medina Housing Association Ltd: CA 31 Mar 2006
Law of vicarious liability is on the move Former children at the children’s homes had sought damages for sexual and physical abuse. The court heard arguments as to the vicarious liability of the Society for abuse caused by a parish priest visiting the school. The Court of Appeal had found some defendants (school management trust) … Continue reading The Catholic Child Welfare Society and Others v Various Claimants and The Institute of The Brothers of The Christian Schools and Others: SC 21 Nov 2012
A school board employed staff to manage a residential school for vulnerable children. The staff committed sexual abuse of the children. The school denied vicarious liability for the acts of the teachers. Held: ‘Vicarious liability is legal responsibility imposed on an employer, although he is himself free from blame, for a tort committed by his … Continue reading Lister and Others v Hesley Hall Ltd: HL 3 May 2001
The claimant had been abused as a child by foster parents with whom she had been placed by the respondent authority. The court was now asked, the Council not having been negligent, were they in any event liable having a non-delegable duty of care with accompanying vicarious liability? Held: The appeal succeeded (Lord Hughes dissenting). … Continue reading Armes v Nottinghamshire County Council: SC 18 Oct 2017
A main contractor who was building not on his own land, would only be free to claim damages from a sub-contractor for defects in the building where the actual owner of the land would not also have had a remedy. Here, the land owner was able to sue under a deed of covenant entered into … Continue reading Alfred Mcalpine Construction Limited v Panatown Limited: HL 17 Feb 2000
The defendants were to be tried for allegedly sending funds abroad to support terrorism. The court now considered the meaning of the phrase ‘reasonable cause to suspect’ in the context of the anticipated use of the funds: ‘Does it mean that the accused must actually suspect, and for reasonable cause, that the money may be … Continue reading Lane and Another, Regina v: SC 11 Jul 2018
The court said of certain pre-emption provisions: ‘in the case of the restriction of transfer of shares I think it is right for the court to remember that a share, being personal property, is prima facie transferable, although the conditions of the transfer are to be found in the terms laid down in the articles. … Continue reading Greenhalgh v Mallard: CA 1943
A letter discussed first the writer’s proposed purchase of the house (offering andpound;1,350 subject to contract), and continued: ‘The question of outstanding rent can be settled as a separate agreement as soon as you present your account.’ Held: The letter did not to constitute an acknowledgment of the landlord’s claim for rent.Lord Denning MR said … Continue reading Good v Parry: CA 1963
EAT Unfair Dismissal – Constructive dismissalMaternity Rights and Parental Leave – Sex discriminationThe Claimant was employed as a Magistrates’ Clerk and she brought successful claims to the Employment Tribunal that:(a) Ms Slee (‘the Claimant’) had been constructively unfairly dismissed by The Department for Constitutional Affairs (‘the Respondent’);(b) The Respondent had failed to offer to the … Continue reading Secretary of State for Justice v Slee: EAT 19 Jul 2007
The company sought an order removing some 46 acres of land from designation as a village green. The claimant sought the amendment of the register. The parties disputed what evidence beyond that available to the committee making the decision should be admissible. Held: The jurisdiction of the court was not an appellate one, and therefore … Continue reading Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Ltd v Dorset County Council: ChD 2 Mar 2007
The trial judge had refused an order requested at a preparatory hearing by the defence for the disclosure of documents held by the prosecutor. The House was now asked whether a right of appeal existed against such a refusal. Held: The practice at preparatory hearings has been the subject of dispute. Lord Nichols said: ‘the … Continue reading H, Regina v (Interlocutory application: Disclosure): HL 28 Feb 2007
An Act removing the right of appeal to the Privy Council was held not to affect an appeal in litigation pending when the Act was passed and decided after its passing, on the ground that (Lord Warrington) ‘[t]o deprive a suitor in pending litigation of an appeal to a superior tribunal which belonged to him … Continue reading Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd v Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners: PC 18 Jan 1927
A criminal information was applied for against a magistrate. Abbott CJ said: ‘They [magistrates] are indeed, like every other subject of this kingdom, answerable to the law for the faithful and upright discharge of their trust and duties. But, whenever they have been challenged upon this head, either by way of indictment, or application to … Continue reading Rex v Borron: 1820
LT COMPENSATION – injurious affection – hoardings erected in street during construction works outside shop premises – preliminary issue – whether claim under Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 s 10 valid – held claimant entitled to compensation for any diminution in rental value. Citations: [2003] EWLands LCA – 30 – 2003, [2004] R and VR 145 … Continue reading Ocean Leisure Ltd v Westminster City Council: LT 31 Dec 2003
The appellant had been convicted of an offence under the section in that as a bankrupt, he ‘in the two years before the petition, materially contributed to, or increased the extent of, his insolvency by gambling or by rash and hazardous speculations’. The actus reus – the bankruptcy petition and the bankruptcy to which it … Continue reading Regina v Muhamad: CACD 19 Jul 2002
A valuable cargo was stolen whilst being transported. Part of the journey was by road, and part by air. The carriers sought to limit their liability, because of the provisions of the Act and Convention. It was argued that that did not apply, because part of the journey had been by air, and part only … Continue reading Quantum Corporation Inc and Others v Plane Trucking Ltd and Another: CA 27 Mar 2002
The appellant challenged an order for costs after dismissal of her application for judicial review of the respondent’s planning decision. The claimant had been granted legal aid at about the time of the bringing in of the new legal aid scheme. The two regimes differed as to the limits applied to sums recoverable from the … Continue reading Sonia Burkett, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham: CA 15 Oct 2004
The claimant was injured whilst playing about with other members of his band throwing sticks at each other. The defendant appealed against a denial of his defence on non fit injuria. Held: The horseplay in which the five youths were engaged was not a regulated sport or game played according to explicit rules, nor was … Continue reading Blake v Galloway: CA 25 Jun 2004
The defendants appealed a conviction under the Act complaining of the adequacy of the evidence presented. A buyer had found dampness in a property. It was later remarketed by the defendant who asked if it suffered dampness. She was told it did not. Held: ‘the informations each described the specific offence charged in ordinary language … Continue reading Dacre Son and Hartley Ltd v North Yorkshire Trading Standards: Admn 27 Oct 2004
Lord Macclesfield claimed a right to occupy a castle. The owners claimed that he had only a mere tenancy at will. The exact rooms in the castle which had been occupied had varied over time. Held: The applicant was entitled to reasonable notice, but all the circumstances of the present case pointed toward the inference … Continue reading Parker v Parker: ChD 24 Jul 2003
The claimant sought damages after being assaulted by a doorman employed by the defendant. Held: The responsibility of the nightclub owner for the actions of his aggressive doorman was not extinguished by the separation in time and place from what had happened in the nightclub, and that vicarious liability was therefore established. The owner had … Continue reading Mattis v Pollock (T/A Flamingo’s Nightclub): QBD 24 Oct 2002
A lease of commercial premises continued automatically under the Act. It became a monthly tenancy with rent payable in advance at the beginning of each mointh. The landlord served a notice under s25 on 4 October 1965 to terminate the tenancy on April 11 1966. Held: The notice being in appropriate form was effective to … Continue reading Commercial Properties Ltd v Wood: CA 1967
The claimants asserted a right to possession of land, and the defendant resisted, claiming a proprietary estoppel. A predecessor had intended to grant a sub-lease to the defendant, who had arranged for his company JAD Ltd to execute major works on the strength of that promise. JAD was given permission to store items there, but … Continue reading Lloyd and others v Dugdale and Another: CA 21 Nov 2001
The applicant was an adult autistic, unable to consent to medical treatment. Treatment was provided at a day centre. He had been detained informally under the Act and against the wishes of his carers, but the Court of Appeal decided he should have been formally detained. Held: The appeal succeeded. His detention had not been … Continue reading In Re L (By His Next Friend GE); Regina v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, Ex Parte L: HL 25 Jun 1998
The applicant was a Moroccan national who arrived in Belgium in 1965 when he was aged under 2. In 1984, nineteen years later, after a career of juvenile crime, he was deported, but the deportation order was suspended in 1989 and he returned to Belgium. He complained that his deportation had violated his right to … Continue reading Moustaquim v Belgium: ECHR 18 Feb 1991
Income tax – Schedule D, Cases III and VI – Payments of interest and ground rent incurred when property was being developed – Whether capitalised or paid out of profits or gains brought into charge to tax – Income Tax Act 1952 (15 and 16 Geo. 6 and 1 Eliz. 2, c. 10), j. 170.The … Continue reading Fitzleet Estates Ltd v Cherry: HL 9 Nov 1977
A right of way had been acquired by prescription, but its extent was disputed. It had been used for mainly residential purposes, but then to a greater extent for a different business use. Held: A right of way may be for one purpose, to the exclusion of others. It is a question of fact whether … Continue reading Richard Jonathan Brett Guise v John Drew: ChD 8 Jun 2001
A policewoman, having made a complaint of serious sexual assault against a fellow officer complained again that the Commissioner had failed to protect her against retaliatory assaults. Her claim was struck out, but restored on appeal. Held: Her claim was arguable. It was possible that the Commissioner owed to her a similar duty as would … Continue reading Waters v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis: HL 27 Jul 2000
The claimants suffered vibration white finger working for the defendants with percussive tools over many years to 1987, but then continued in other employments which also involved vibrating tools and which caused further damage. The claimants made claims in negligence against the defendants, in which the judge found that, in the light of their knowledge … Continue reading Allen and Others v British Rail Engineering Ltd and Another: CA 23 Feb 2001
The claimant had sought damages against his employer, saying that they had failed in their duty to him under the 1997 Act in failing to prevent harassment by a manager. He appealed a strike out of his claim. Held: The appeal succeeded. The issue is whether an employer may be vicariously liable under section 3 … Continue reading Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust: CA 16 Mar 2005
ECJ 1. The delegation of authority to sign the notice of objections for which article 2 of Regulation no 99/63 of the Commission makes provision constitutes a measure relating to the internal organization of the departments of the community administration, in accordance with article 27 of the provisional rules of procedure adopted under article 16 … Continue reading Cassella Farbwerke v Commission: ECJ 14 Jul 1972
Europa It would be incompatible with the binding effect attributed to decisions by article 189 to exclude in principle the possibility that persons affected may invoke the obligation imposed by a decision. Particularly in cases where, for example, the community authorities have by means of a decision imposed an obligation in a member state or … Continue reading Franz Grad v Finanzamt Traunstein. (Measures Adopted By An Institution ): ECJ 6 Oct 1970
The House considered whether a sub-tenant could claim protection under the 1968 Act. This depended on the interpretation of the word ‘premises’ in the context of a sub-tenancy of a cottage on a farm let under an agricultural tenancy. Held: (majority) ‘premises’ in section 18(5) include any premises which, as a matter of fact, applying … Continue reading Maunsell v Olins: HL 1975
The defendant worked as a shop assistant. He had persuaded the manager to accept in payment for goods, two cheques which he knew to be stolen. The CA had decided that since the ownership of the goods was transferred on the sale, no appropriation of property belonging to another had taken place. Held: An appropriation … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Gomez: HL 3 Dec 1992
Contamination of land by the overflow of radioactive materials from a pond, led to damages for the cost of repair, and also the permanent diminution of the value in the land from physical damage. Held: The Court dismissed the appeal of the defendants from the order of the trial judge (Carnwath J) awarding the plaintiffs … Continue reading Blue Circle Industries Plc v Ministry of Defence: CA 16 Jun 1998
The dominant owner wished to deal with delivery vehicles in a manner where they were left parked awaiting emptying. The servient owner (a lessee) wanted to construct buildings over a large part of the land. The servient owner objected. Held: Whether an easement was being subjected to an actionable interference, was answered by asking whether … Continue reading B and Q Plc v Liverpool and Lancashire Properties Ltd: ChD 26 Jul 2000
The plaintiff brought an action for recovery of possession of an estate, relying on events which had occurred 70 years earlier. The plaintiff had already brought a case which was dismissed on the grounds that it was statute-barred. The plaintiff then sought to start another case based on an allegation of concealed fraud. That was … Continue reading Lawrence v Lord Norreys: HL 1890
The Lord Ordinary had awarded the pursuer damages for tuberculosis, on the basis that in the accident he had fractured a rib and this had reactivated his pre-existing tuberculosis. Held: The pursuer had failed to prove the causal connexion between the fractured rib and the tuberculosis, since there was no corroboration of the evidence of … Continue reading McKillen v Barclay Curle and Co Ltd: 1967
The appellant driver had caused a car accident in 1965, in which the respondent’s husband died. The respondent sought damages under the Fatal Accidents Acts for herself then aged 52 and for her 18 year old daughter. The husband died aged 53 and a partner in a successful firm of architects. His life expectancy on … Continue reading Taylor v O’Connor: HL 1970
Two appeals as to the circumstances in which the concept of ‘statutory incompatibility’ will defeat an application to register land as a town or village green where the land is held by a public authority for statutory purposes. In the first case, five plots in Lancaster were owned by LCC who objected to an application … Continue reading Lancashire County Council, Regina (on The Application of) v SSEFRA and Another: SC 11 Dec 2019
