Oppenheimer v Cattermole (Inspector of Taxes): HL 5 Feb 1975

HL Income tax, Schedule D – Foreign possessions – Double taxation relief – German government pension for past services – Paid to British subject of German origin – Whether German nationality deemed to be retained – Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Federal Republic of Germany) Order 1955 (S.I. 1955 No. 1203), Sch., arts. 11(3), IX(1) and XXI(3); Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Federal Republic of Germany) Order 1967 (S.1. 1967 No. 25), Sch., arts. 11(3), IX(2) and XXIII(3).
The 1941 decree of the National Socialist Government of Germany deprived Jewish emigres of their German nationality and, consequentially, lead to the confiscation of their property.
Held: A racially discriminatory and confiscatory law of this sort was so grave an infringement of human rights and of ‘clearly established rules of international law’ that the courts of this country ought to refuse to recognise it as a law at all.

Judges:

Lord Cross of Chelsea

Citations:

[1976] AC 249, [1975] UKHL TC – 50 – 159, [1975] TR 13

Links:

Bailii

Jurisdiction:

England and Wales

Cited by:

CitedKuwait Airways Corporation v Iraqi Airways Company and Others (Nos 4 and 5) HL 16-May-2002
After the invasion of Kuwait, the Iraqi government had dissolved Kuwait airlines, and appropriated several airplanes. Four planes were destroyed by Allied bombing, and 6 more were appropriated again by Iran.
Held: The appeal failed. No claim . .
CitedPeer International Corporation Southern Music Publishing Company Inc Peermusic (UK) Limited v Termidor Music Publishers Limited Termidor Musikverlag Gmbh and Co Kg -And-Editoria Musical De Cuba CA 30-Jul-2003
Peer sought declarations that they were the owners, or licensees, of the UK copyright in musical works composed by Cuban nationals, relying on assignments in writing by the composers and in some instances by their heirs. The defendants claimed under . .
CitedJones v Ministry of Interior Al-Mamlaka Al-Arabiya As Saudiya Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Another CA 28-Oct-2004
The claimants sought damages alleging torture by the respondent whilst held in custody in Saudi Arabia.
Held: Although the state enjoyed freedom from action, where the acts were ones of torture, and action could proceed against state officials . .
CitedRegina (on the application of Abassi and Another) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Another CA 6-Nov-2002
A British national had been captured in Afghanistan, and was being held without remedy by US forces. His family sought an order requiring the respondent to take greater steps to secure his release or provide other assistance.
Held: Such an . .
CitedBelhaj and Another v Straw and Others SC 17-Jan-2017
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 . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.

International, Torts – Other

Updated: 14 June 2022; Ref: scu.179880