Mr Leander had been refused employment at a museum located on a naval base, having been assessed as a security risk on the basis of information stored on a register maintained by State security services that had not been disclosed him. Mr Leander complained that he should have been provided with the information in question, … Continue reading Leander v Sweden: ECHR 26 Mar 1987
The claimant an Ethiopian national had been detained on arrival on the basis that his presence woiuld not be for the public good. After appeal his indefinite leave to remain was regranted, and he was released from custody into immigration detention. Eventually he was made subject of a non-derogating control order. Judges: Maurice Kay VP, … Continue reading XX v Secretary of State for The Home Department: CA 27 Jul 2011
The claimant alleged complicity by the defendant, (now former) Foreign Secretary, in his mistreatment by the US while held in Libya. He also alleged involvement in his unlawful abduction and removal to Libya, from which had had fled for political persecution. The defendants now appealed from rejection of the defendants’ claim to state immunity and … Continue reading Belhaj and Another v Straw and Others: SC 17 Jan 2017
The claimant challenged the compatibility of section 41 of the 2000 Act with article 5. The section allowed for longer periods of detention by police on application to the Magistrates. Citations: 29891/12 – HECOM, [2012] ECHR 1970 Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 5, Terrorism Act 2000 41(3) Jurisdiction: Human Rights Human Rights, … Continue reading Magee v The United Kingdom: ECHR 7 Nov 2012
An Egyptian national, had lived here since 1994. He challenged a decision by the Secretary of State,as a member of the committee of the United Nations Security Council, known as the Resolution 1267 Committee or Sanctions Committee. The committee maintained a list of persons and entities subject to the asset freeze imposed on persons ‘associated … Continue reading Youssef v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: SC 27 Jan 2016
The Home Secretary had issued directives to the BBC and IBA prohibiting the broadcasting of speech by representatives of proscribed terrorist organisations. The applicant journalists challenged the legality of the directives on the ground that they were incompatible with the ECHR, and also on the ground that they were disproportionate in going beyond the established … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Brind: HL 7 Feb 1991
The Secretary of state had sought to register an organisation as a terrorist organisation (PMOI). The organisation had successfully appealed to the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission (POAC). The secretary now renewed his application for leave to appeal. The PMO had previously been involved in violence but said that it had abandoned violence several years ago, … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v Lord Alton of Liverpool and others: CA 7 May 2008
The release date for a prisoner was calculated correctly according to guidance issued by the Home Office, but case law required the guidance to be altered, and the prisoner had been detained too long. The tort of false imprisonment is one of strict liability, and the governor was liable in damages even though he had … Continue reading Regina v Governor of Her Majesty’s Prison Brockhill ex parte Evans (No 2): HL 27 Jul 2000
The newspaper appealed an award of damages for defamation after its theatre critic’s review of an opera written by the claimant. The author said the article made him appear to sympathise with terrorism. Held: The appeal succeeded. Keene LJ said: ‘It is unusual for this court to overturn a judge who has ruled that a … Continue reading Associated Newspapers Ltd v Burstein: CA 22 Jun 2007
The defendants, accused of offences under the 2000 Act, appealed an interim finding that documents stored on computers could amount to ‘articles’ within the Act. They said that the existence of sections 57 and 58 suggested two distinct regimes, one for documents, and one for articles. Held: The district judge should have followed Rowe. The … Continue reading M, Regina v; Regina v Z; Regina v I; Regina v R; Regina v B (No 2): CACD 27 Apr 2007
A deportation order, made against a Tunisian, was eventually quashed by the French Administrative Court and the Article 6 complaints related to the length of time taken in the proceedings. The Court’s reasoning why Article 6 does not apply to procedures for the expulsion of aliens was: ‘the decision whether or not to authorise an … Continue reading Maaouia v France: ECHR 5 Oct 2000
Application for judicial review of refusal to hear bail application in public. The bail application before the magistrates had been held in public, but not that to the crown court, as was normal practice. The issue on such an application is not the merits of the refusal of bail, but the process by which the … Continue reading Malik v Central Criminal Court and Another: Admn 27 Jun 2006
The House considered the availability of duress as a defence on a charge of aiding and abetting murder. Referring to the basic elements of criminal liability, mens rea and actus reus: ‘Both terms have, however, justified themselves by their usefulness; and I shall myself employ them in their traditional senses – namely, actus reus to … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland v Lynch: HL 1975
Grand Chamber – The defendants had been convicted after the prosecution had withheld evidence from them and from the judge under public interest immunity certificates. They complained that they had not had fair trials. Held: The right was breached insofar as the prosecution had themselves sought to make that assessment without judicial involvement. Disclosure at … Continue reading Jasper v The United Kingdom: ECHR 16 Feb 2000
An intention to promote terrorist activity was sufficient to found an order for deportation even though the terrorism may not be directed at any person or property in the UK. Such activity is capable of constituting a threat to national security. The concept of national security is a protean one, and any activity which could … Continue reading The Secretary Of State For The Home Department v Shafiq Ur Rehman: CA 23 May 2000
Where the applicant for asylum could show that members of his family had been killed or persecuted by the authorities, the level of proof required that he would be under threat was not the normal civil standard of proof, but that of a reasonable degree of likelihood of persecution, and not the usual civil balance … Continue reading Nalliah Karanakaran v Secretary of State For The Home Department: CA 25 Jan 2000
The defendants appealed a ruling by the recorder that electronic storage devices were ‘articles’ within s57. S58 dealt with documents, and section 57 with articles. Held: Hooper LJ said: ‘There is no practical difference between a book which a person can read (perhaps with help) and a CD which can be read by inserting it … Continue reading M and Others, Regina v: CACD 7 Feb 2007
The defendant was charged with offences for having been in possession of a document or record containing information of a kind ‘likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism’. It was thought he was associated with a terrorist plan to attack the government of Libya. The defendant argued that … Continue reading Regina v F: CACD 16 Feb 2007
The local authority had refused to renew a private hire vehicle licence. That refusal was successfully challenged, and the magistrates had awarded costs on the basis that they should follow the event. The authority appealed. Held: The discretion given to magistrates to award such costs as it feels are just and reasonable does not mean … Continue reading Bradford City Metropolitan District Council v Booth: QBD 10 May 2000
Claim for damages for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. The claimants had been arrested an held as brothers of a third brother arrested for suspicion of involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US. The police applied to have excluded documents including interception warrants. Judges: McCombe J Citations: [2007] EWHC 3421 (QB) Links: Bailii … Continue reading Raissi v Commissioner of Police: QBD 15 Nov 2007
The Mujaheddin-e-Khalq had been proscribed under the 2000 Act by the respondent. It now appealed against such proscription. Held: The organisation had in the past used terrorist methods, but had repeatedly now renounced the use of violence. The proscription could not be upheld. Sir Harry Ognall said: ‘We have reached the clear conclusion that the … Continue reading Lord Alton of Liverpool and Others v Secretary of Dtate for the Home Department: POAC 30 Nov 2007
Federal Court of Australia – MIGRATION – refugees – application for protection visa – whether serious reasons for considering commission of serious non-political crime outside country of refuge – application of Art 1F(b) of Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees – meaning of ‘serious reasons for considering’. Judges: Weinberg J Citations: [2000] FCA 1889, … Continue reading Arquita v Minister for Immigration and Multi-cultural Affairs: 22 Dec 2000
(Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong) For the purposes of the defence to defamation of fair comment: ‘The comment must explicitly or implicitly indicate, at least in general terms, what are the facts on which the comment is being made. The reader or hearer should be in a position to judge for himself how … Continue reading Tse Wai Chun Paul v Albert Cheng: 13 Nov 2000
Each defendant was charged under a statute which provided a defence if they could prove a certain element. They complained that this was a breach of their human rights. The complaint was rejected. It would be wrong to impose a burden of proof on a defendant as regards a main element of a crime, but … Continue reading Regina v Lambert; Regina v Ali; Regina v Jordan: CACD 14 Sep 2000
Renewed application for leave to appeal from conviction of offences under the 2000 Act. Judges: Sharp DB LJ, King J, Wall QC HHJ Citations: [2017] EWCA Crim 1606 Links: Bailii Statutes: Terrorism Act 2000 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 31 March 2022; Ref: scu.597484
Prosecution to prove absence of genuine belief To convict a defendant under the 1960 Act, the prosecution had the burden of proving the absence of a genuine belief in the defendant’s mind that the victim was 14 or over. The Act itself said nothing about any mental element, so the assumption must be that mens … Continue reading B (A Minor) v Director of Public Prosecutions: HL 23 Feb 2000
The claimants objected to orders made freezing their assets under the 2006 Order, after being included in the Consolidated List of suspected members of terrorist organisations. Held: The orders could not stand. Such orders were made by the executive without parliamentary scrutiny by the use of Orders in Council. Statutory provision for counter-terrorism was in … Continue reading HM Treasury v Ahmed and Others: SC 27 Jan 2010
The claimant sought damages here for a road traffic accident which had occurred in Australia. The defendant was working in England. The defendant argued that the law of New South Wales applied. Held: The general rule in section 11 was not to be displaced. Roerig implied a bright line between matters of assessment and heads … Continue reading Harding v Wealands: CA 17 Dec 2004
The claimants had been arrested under the 2000 Act, held for differing lengths of time and released without charge. They sought damages for false imprisonment. Held: The officers had acted on their understanding that senior offcers had more information than they had themselves. As to one defendant there were better grounds for suspicion, and her … Continue reading Raissi and Another v The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis: QBD 30 Nov 2007
The defendant had been convicted of possessing articles for terrorist purposes, namely a notebook with notes setting out how to construct a mortar bomb in his handwriting. There was also a coded list of potential targets. Held: The decision in R v M ‘that ‘articles’ within the meaning of section 57 cannot extend to documents … Continue reading Rowe v Regina: CACD 15 Mar 2007
Appellate Roles – Human Rights – Families Split The House considered the decision making role of immigration appellate authorities when deciding appeals on Human Rights grounds, against refusal of leave to enter or remain, under section 65. In each case the asylum applicant had had his own request refused but that of his family had … Continue reading Huang v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 21 Mar 2007
The UK lodged a derogation with the Court as regards its human rights obligations in Northern Ireland because of the need to control terroist activity. The Government of Ireland intervened. From August 1971 until December 1975 the UK authorities exercised a series of ‘extrajudicial’ powers of arrest, detention and internment in Northern Ireland. The case … Continue reading The Republic of Ireland v The United Kingdom: ECHR 18 Jan 1978
(Grand Chamber) The subsequent use against a defendant in a prosecution, of evidence which had been obtained under compulsion in company insolvency procedures was a convention breach of Art 6. Although not specifically mentioned in Article 6 of the Convention the right to silence and the right not to incriminate oneself are generally recognised international … Continue reading Saunders v The United Kingdom: ECHR 17 Dec 1996
The authority sought orders to prevent the respondent children travelling to countries controlled by the ISIS groups. The parents being unlikely to be effective to restrain them, the court had made them wards of court. Held: ‘the status of a Ward of the High Court of England and Wales has achieved international recognition. For this … Continue reading Tower Hamlets v M and Others: FD 27 Mar 2015
The newspaper applied to challenge the protection of the identity of the defendant subject to a control order under the 2005 Act. It said that there was no basis for the making of the order without first considering the Human Rights need for open justice. Held: The general purpose of the control order related to … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department and AY: Admn 17 Oct 2008
The claimants were subject to non-derogating control orders, being non EU nationals suspected of terrorism. They now said that they had not had a compatible hearing as to the issue of whether they were in fact involved in terrorist activity. Held: Applying MB, ‘it is wrong to say that a hearing of the critical issue … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v AF AM and AN etc: CA 17 Oct 2008
Police Entrapment is no defence to Criminal Act The defendant complained of his conviction for supplying controlled drugs, saying that the undercover police officer had requested him to make the supply. Held: It was an abuse of process for the police to go so far as to incite a crime. Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead said: … Continue reading Regina v Looseley (orse Loosely); Attorney General’s Reference No 3 of 2000: HL 25 Oct 2001
Non-derogating control orders – HR Compliant MB and AF challenged non-derogating control orders made under the 2005 Act, saying that they were incompatible with their human rights. AF was subject to a curfew of 14 hours a day, wore an electronic tag at all times, could not leave a nine square mile area, and had … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v MB; Same v AF: HL 31 Oct 2007
The appellant had sought judicial review of the decision to extend the warrant for his detention. On an application to extend the warrant of detention, the judge had excluded the appellant and his solicitor from the hearing for about 10 minutes to consider closed information and, when the hearing resumed, they were not informed of … Continue reading Ward v Police Service of Northern Ireland: HL 21 Nov 2007
Arrested Person must be told basis of the Arrest Police officers appealed against a finding of false imprisonment. The plaintiff had been arrested under the 1921 Act, but this provided no power of arrest (which the appellant knew). The officers might lawfully have arrested the plaintiff for the felony of stealing a bale of cloth, … Continue reading Christie v Leachinsky: HL 25 Mar 1947
The victim died on a farm when his dumper truck overturned burying him in its load. Held: The prosecutor needed to establish a prima facie case that the results required by the Act had not been achieved. He need only establish that a risk of injury arose out of the state of affairs at the … Continue reading Chargot Limited (T/A Contract Services) and Others, Regina v: HL 10 Dec 2008
The Commission challenged the compatibility of the NI law relating to banning nearly all abortions with Human Rights Law. It now challenged a decision that it did not have standing to bring the case.
Held: (Lady Hale, Lord Kerr and Lord Wilson . .
Hudoc The claimants challenged anti-terrorist legislation introduced by the respondent. They complained that it violated the article 6(1) right of the applicants to remain silent and not incriminate themselves, . .
The court considered a challenge to the rules governing ‘out of country’ appeals against immigration decisions. They had in each case convictions leading to prison terms for serious drugs related offences.
Held: The appeals were allowed, and . .
. .
References: [2000] FCA 1889, 106 FCR 46 Links: Austlii Coram: Weinberg J Federal Court of Australia – MIGRATION – refugees – application for protection visa – whether serious reasons for considering commission of serious non-political crime outside country of refuge – application of Art 1F(b) of Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees – meaning … Continue reading Arquita v Minister for Immigration and Multi-cultural Affairs; 22 Dec 2000
References: [2001] EMLR 777, [2000] 3 HKLRD 418, [2000] HKCFA 35 Links: hklii Coram: Chief Justice Li, Mr Justice Bokhary PJ, Mr Justice Ribeiro PJ, Sir Denys Roberts NPJ and Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead NPJ (Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong) For the purposes of the defence to defamation of fair comment: ‘The comment … Continue reading Tse Wai Chun Paul v Albert Cheng; 13 Nov 2000
References: PC/02/2006 Links: swarb.co.uk, statewatch Coram: Sir Harry Ognall C, Boswell QC, Catchpole QC The Mujaheddin-e-Khalq had been proscribed under the 2000 Act by the respondent. It now appealed against such proscription. Held: The organisation had in the past used terrorist methods, but had repeatedly now renounced the use of violence. The proscription could not … Continue reading Lord Alton of Liverpool and Others v Secretary of Dtate for the Home Department; POAC 30 Nov 2007
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
The court was asked whether somebody detained under section 7 of the 2000 Act was entitled to be accompanied by a solicitor during questioning. The claimant was stopped at the airport on his return from Saudi Arabia. Police refused to await the arrival of his solicitor before starting to question him. They proceeded and he … Continue reading Elosta v Commissioner of Police for The Metropolis and Others: Admn 6 Nov 2013
The claimant challenged a production order made by the magistrates in respect of journalists’ material. They complained that the application had used secret evidence not disclosed to it, and that the judge had not given adequate reasons to support the decision. The poice were investigating an offence under the 1989 Act. Held: It was common … Continue reading British Sky Broadcasting Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v The Central Criminal Court and Another: Admn 21 Dec 2011
The defendant sought to defend the claim for defamation by claiming fair comment. The claimant said that the relevant facts were not known to the defendant at the time of the publication. Held: To claim facts in aid of a defence of fair comment, it would make no sense if those facts were not known … Continue reading Lowe v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 28 Feb 2006
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
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 claimant alleged that his detention by the police and the removal from him of encrypted computer storage devices purporting to use powers under the 2000 Act. He and his journalist partner had received and published materials said to be of security data received from the US reating to British security services. He now sought … Continue reading Miranda v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Others: Admn 19 Feb 2014
The applicants complained of the refusal of a visitors permit by the respondent to an eminent Iranian dissident. Held: The appeal was dismissed. Although the decision was an interference in the human rights of the applicants, that intereference had been supported by clear justification. Judges: Arden, Patten, McCombe LJJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 199 Links: … Continue reading Lord Carlile of Berriew and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: CA 20 Mar 2013
The Secretary of State wished to deport the applicant on the basis of his suspected involvement in acts of terrorism. An order for his deportation had been revoked by the respondent, but he had remained on very stringent bail conditions, since 2007. Held: The case failed on the article 6 issue because (i) the decision … Continue reading BB, Regina (on The Application of) v Special Immigration Appeals Commission and Another: CA 19 Nov 2012
ECJ Opinion – Combating of money laundering and terrorism financing – Directive 2005/60/EC – Obligation on credit institutions to declare suspicious financial transactions – Institutions operating under the freedom to provide services – Identification of national financial information unit responsible for collecting information – Interpretation of Article 22(2) of Directive 2005/60 – Restriction on the … Continue reading Jyske Bank Gibraltar Ltd v Administracion Del Estado: ECJ 4 Oct 2012
The defendant appealed against his conviction for conveying ‘List A’ articles into prison. He said that the proceedings had been a nullity for failure to comply with the requirements of Schedule 3 of the 1998 Act. He had not been notified of the possibility of making representations. Held: The appeal failed. The definition of terrorism … Continue reading Gul (H) v Regina: CACD 31 Jul 2012
The defendant appealed against his conviction under the 2006 Act for disseminating terrorist publications. He had uploaded to the internet videos showing attacks ofn coalition forces on soldiers of the coalition. He said that his were not acts falling within the offence. Held: The appeal failed. The court underlined the ‘comprehensive’ scope and ‘broad’ nature … Continue reading Gul (M), Regina v: CACD 22 Feb 2012
The claimant had invited an Iranian dissident to speak in Parliament, and now challenged the decision of the Home Secretary to refuse her a visa on the basis that her exclusion was not conducive to the public good. She was a member of an organisation which had in the past supported terrorism, and had first … Continue reading Lord Carlile and Others v Secretary of State for The Home Department: Admn 16 Mar 2012
Citations: [2008] EWCA Crim 1161 Statutes: Terrorism Act 2000 57 58 118 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Regina v G; Regina v J HL 4-Mar-2009 G was to stand trial for possession of articles useful for terrorism. Whilst in prison, he collected and created diagrams and information and prepared plans to bomb … Continue reading J v Regina: CACD 2008
The court’s discretion in appointing provisional liquidators is unfettered provided it is exercised in a ‘proper judicial manner’. Sir Robert Megarry V-C said: ‘I would respectfully express my complete agreement with the view taken by [the judge]. I do not think that the old authorities, properly read, had the effect of laying down any rule … Continue reading In re Highfield Commodities Ltd: ChD 1985
The appellant had been charged with and disciplined for a prison offence. He was refused legal assistance at his hearing, and it was accepted that the proceedings involved the determination of a criminal charge within the meaning of article 6 of the Convention, that the deputy controller was not an independent tribunal and that the … Continue reading Greenfield, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Feb 2005
The defendants were accused of assisting a person to evade a control order. On arrest their computers had been seized, and they now sought an order on an interim appeal to discharge the case under the 2000 Act of not providing passwords to encrypted material. They said that the Act required them to incriminate themselves. … Continue reading Regina v S(F) and A(S): CACD 29 Jul 2008
Grand Chamber – The first applicant said he had been injured by a shot fired by a British soldier who had been carried for two miles into the Republic of Ireland, clinging to the applicant’s vehicle following an incident at a checkpoint. Held: Rules granting the State immunities, did not infringe the applicants’ right to … Continue reading McElhinney v Ireland; Al-Adsani v United Kingdom; Fogarty v United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Nov 2001
The claimant, an Iraqi national, had been about to be deported when he was re-arrested for Terrorism offences for which he was acquitted. He was then made subject to a non-derogating control order. He now challenged the renewal of that order, even under less stringent terms. Held: The restrictions imposed fell just within the boundary … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v AH: Admn 9 May 2008
In a prosecution for an offence of indecent assault on a girl under 16 under the section, it was necessary for the prosecution to prove the absence of a positive belief in the defendant’s mind that the victim was 16 or over. The legislation history showed an anomalous bringing together of different, and conflicting strands … Continue reading Regina v K: HL 25 Jul 2001
The defendant faced trial on allegations of acts in preparation of terrorism. He wanted to say that he had been encouraged by security officers and argued that he English law as to entrapment was incompatible with his human rights, and now sought leave to refer the point of law to the Supreme Court. Citations: [2018] … Continue reading Ali Syed, Regina v: CACD 18 Dec 2018
(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 defendant appealed against his conviction for possessing an article for a purpose connected with terrorism and making a record of information likely to be useful in terrorism. He now appealed against the latter conviction. He had been found to have very large quantities of such electronic materials. Held: The appeal failed. The definition of … Continue reading Muhammed v Regina: CACD 19 Feb 2010
(Admissibility and Summary) Citations: [2009] ECHR 755, 4158/05 Links: Bailii Statutes: Terrorism Act 2000 44, European Convention on Human Rights 5 8 10 Jurisdiction: Human Rights Citing: At First Instance – Gillan and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioner of the Police for the Metropolis and Another Admn 31-Oct-2003 The applicants challenged by … Continue reading Gillan and Quinton v The United Kingdom: ECHR 12 May 2009
Evidence from 3rd Party Torture Inadmissible The applicants had been detained following the issue of certificates issued by the respondent that they posed a terrorist threat. They challenged the decisions of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission saying that evidence underlying the decisions had probably been obtained by torture committed by foreign powers, and should not … Continue reading A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No 2): HL 8 Dec 2005
Loss of Confidentiality Protection – public domain A retired secret service employee sought to publish his memoirs from Australia. The British government sought to restrain publication there, and the defendants sought to report those proceedings, which would involve publication of the allegations made. The AG sought to restrain those publications. Held: A duty of confidence … Continue reading Attorney-General v Guardian Newspapers Ltd (No 2) (‘Spycatcher’): HL 13 Oct 1988
The applicant challenged the terms of a non-derogating control order. It was anticipated that unless prevented, he would fight against UK forces in Iraq. Held: The section allowed the Secretary of State to impose any necessary conditions, but subject to a system of supervision by the courts. The parties now disputed whether the Act gave … Continue reading MB, Re, Secretary of State for the Home Department v MB: Admn 12 Apr 2006
The complainant requested from the Chief Constable of Sussex Police (‘Sussex Police’) information relating to Sussex Police’s implementation of schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. By the date of this notice Sussex Police had not provided a substantive response to this request. The Commissioner’s decision is that Sussex Police has failed to respond to … Continue reading Sussex Police (Police and Criminal Justice): ICO 15 Feb 2021
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
‘This case concerns the exercise of the extensive powers under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 and the detention of material in the possession of a person assisting a journalist and possibly identifying journalistic sources. The protection of journalistic sources has been stated to be of vital importance to press freedom, both in our … Continue reading Miranda, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department and Another: Admn 23 Aug 2013
The court asked whether the conviction of a co-defendant was correctly admitted as evidence against her co-accused, and if not what was the effect on the fairness of the trial. Held: The plea of the co-defendant should not have been admitted. The issue at this trial was as to matters on which the first trial … Continue reading Girma and Others, Regina v (Rev 1): CACD 15 May 2009
Appeal by defendant in terrorist trial against ruling at preparatory hearing that he had no reasonable excuse defence. Citations: [2008] EWCA Crim 922 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996, Terrorism Act 2000 58, Terrorism Act 2006 51 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Regina v G; Regina v J … Continue reading G v Regina: CACD 29 Apr 2008
The defendant appealed aganst his conviction for conspiracy to engage in moneylaundering. At trial he pleaded guilty subject to a qualification that he had not known that the money was the proceeds of crime, though he may have suspected that it would be. Held: (Baroness Hale of Richmond dissenting) The appeal succeeded: ‘the Crown’s principal … Continue reading Saik, Regina v: HL 3 May 2006
The defendants sought to appeal against their sentences for withholding information about terrorism. Held: The factor determing the sentence was not principally the extent of the information which might have been provided, but rather the seriousness of the terrorist activity. Time which had been spent awaiting trial subject to a curfew enforced by means of … Continue reading Sherif and Others, Regina v: CACD 21 Nov 2008
The Commissioner appealed against an award of damages for false imprisonment. The claimant had been arrested shortly after a terrorist attack. The judge had held that they had no reasonable belief of his involvement. The Commissioner did not now pursue an argument of necessity. Held: The only cause suggested for suspicion of the claimant was … Continue reading Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Raissi: CA 12 Nov 2008
The Court considered the nature of the documents which fall within the section and, secondly, the scope of the defence of reasonable excuse under section 58(3). Held: ‘A document or record will only fall within section 58 if it is of a kind that is likely to provide practical assistance to a person committing or … Continue reading K v Regina: CACD 13 Feb 2008
The court set the questions to be answered later in response to the complaint as to the use of stop and search powers by the British police. Citations: 4158/05, [2008] ECHR 521 Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 5 8 10, Terrorism Act 2000 44 Jurisdiction: Human Rights Citing: At First Instance – … Continue reading Gillan and Quinton v The United Kingdom: ECHR 10 Jun 2008
Challenge to Temporary Exclusion Order. Held: The concept of ‘civil rights and obligations’ cannot be interpreted solely by reference to national law but has an autonomous meaning within article 6(1) Citations: [2020] EWHC 1221 (Admin), [2020] WLR(D) 291 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 11(2)(d), European Convention on Human Rights 6, Data … Continue reading QX v Secretary of State for The Home Department: Admn 15 May 2020
False Imprisonment Damages / Immigration Detention The respondent had held the claimant in custody, but had failed to follow its own procedures. The claimant appealed against the rejection of his claim of false imprisonment. He had overstayed his immigration leave, and after convictions had served a prison sentence. When about to be released, an order … Continue reading Kambadzi (previously referred to as SK (Zimbabwe)) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 25 May 2011
The applicants complained that they had been made subject to non-derogating control orders as suspected terrorists, but that the failure to inform them of the allegations or evidence against them was unfair and infringed their human rights. The material was withheld in the interests of national security. Held: The failure to supply the defendants with … Continue reading Secretary of State for the Home Department v AF AN and AE (No 3): HL 10 Jun 2009
Appeal by way of case stated by the appellant arising from his conviction before the Chief Magistrate, sitting in the Westminster Magistrates’ Court for an offence of wilfully obstructing or seeking to frustrate a search or examination contrary to para. 18(1)(c) of Schedule 7 (‘Sch.7’) to the Terrorism Act 2000 Judges: Lady Justice Nicola Davies … Continue reading Cifci v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 1 Jul 2022
The defendant had had responsibility to investigate and if necessary prosecute a company suspected of serious offences of bribery and corruption in the conduct of contract negotiations. The investigation had been stopped, alledgedly at the instigation of the government of Saudi Arabia, with a threat of ceasing co-operation in security arrangements. Held: The rule of … Continue reading Corner House Research and Campaign Against Arms Trade, Regina (on the Application of) v Director of the Serious Fraud Office and Another: Admn 10 Apr 2008
The applicant said that his human rights had been infringed under laws which required him to apply to the high court for bail rather than to a magistrate, necessitating a further four day wait before his application for bail was considered. He had been remanded after admitting an armed robbery, though the police had not … Continue reading McKay v The United Kingdom: ECHR 3 Oct 2006
The claimants had each been detained without trial for more than two years, being held as suspected terrorists. They were free leave to return to their own countries, but they feared for their lives if returned. They complained that the evidence used to justify their detention was derived from practices involving torture by the US … Continue reading A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, Mahmoud Abu Rideh Jamal Ajouaou v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 11 Aug 2004
The claimants were dependants of Iraqi nationals killed in Iraq. Held: The Military Police were operating when Britain was an occupying power. The question in each case was whether the Human Rights Act applied to the acts of the defendant. The question amounted to whether the officers acted under State Agent Authority within the convention … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of Mazin Mumaa Galteh Al-Skeini and Others) v The Secretary of State for Defence: CA 21 Dec 2005
The claimants had been convicted of murder, but their tariffs had not yet been set when the 2003 Act came into effect. They said that the procedure under which their sentence tarriffs were set were not compliant with their human rights in that the tarriff was set by reference back to a judge without a … Continue reading Hammond, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 1 Dec 2005
The court considered the test for whether the requirement for the Attorney General’s consent to a prosecution had been obtained, and said: ‘The analysis of the statutory language: . . there are two questions. i) When were the proceedings instituted? ii) If the permission of the Attorney General was not given before the proceedings were … Continue reading Lambert, Regina v: CACD 3 Apr 2009
The claimant sought increased maternity pay. Before beginning her maternity leave she had been awarded a pay increase, but it was not backdated so as to affect the period upon which the calculation of her average pay was based. The court made a detailed comparison of the regimes for protection under the Employment Rights Act … Continue reading Alabaster v Barclays Bank Plc and Another: CA 3 May 2005
The appellant sought asylum. He had fled Sri Lanka. He was a Tamil and feared torture if he returned. His application had been rejected because the consequences flowed from his suspected involvement in terrorism, and that was not a Convention reason. Held: Cases involving claims for refugee status under the Convention are particularly fact-sensitive. The … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Sivakumar: HL 20 Mar 2003
The discretionary life-prisoner faced a parole board. The Secretary of State wished to present evidence, but wanted the witness to be protected. The Parole Board appointed special counsel to hear the evidence on behalf of the prisoner on terms that the prisoner was not to know of the evidence. The prisoner appealed. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Roberts v Parole Board: CA 28 Jul 2004
The applicants challenged by way of judicial review the way they had been stopped and searched under the Act. They attended a demonstration. The search revealed nothing suspicious. General authorisations for such searches had been issued under the Act. Held: The section should not be read so as to restrict the power to issue authorisations … Continue reading Gillan and Another, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioner of the Police for the Metropolis and Another: Admn 31 Oct 2003
