A telephone booth with a door was an enclosed space even though had permanently open area by feet and not therefore a public space for purposes of litter control laws. Expectation that would pay after entry. Citations: Times 05-May-1998 Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 87(4) Crime Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.80301
The council appealed against the finding that the complainant’s premises occupied under a tenancy of the council, constituted a statutory nuisance which they had a duty to abate. The claimant’s son was disabled and his condition involved behavioural problems. She said that the kitchen was, in view of his condition too small and dangerous in … Continue reading Cunningham v Birmingham City Council: Admn 6 May 1997
The council tenant plaintiff alleged a statutory nuisance against the council in the form of condensation, damp and mould in his flat. When it came to the hearing the damp had abated. The magistrates asked whether it was likely to recur. The council replied that they had offered to install heaters in the property which … Continue reading Carr v Hackney London Borough Council: QBD 9 Mar 1995
The local authority served a noise nuisance abatement notice upon the respondents regarding their plant room. The notice required abatement and a non-repetition. The notice was not specific as to the works required to be undertaken. It was held that the notice was indeed insufficiently specific. Although it was possible to add to the notice … Continue reading Camden London Borough Council v London Underground Ltd: QBD 7 Jan 2000
A solicitor cannot claim payment from the other party of costs he would not ask his own client to pay. An implied contingency agreement with his client could defeat a claim for payment of costs from the other party. There was never any intention on the part of the solicitors to create any liability for … Continue reading British Waterways Board v Norman: QBD 11 Nov 1993
Waste products could become ‘controlled waste’ and subject to licensing procedures without there being a recovery or disposal operation being involved. A rendering process produced a condensate which the company wished to spread on farm land without a licence. The company had argued that no recovery process was involved, and therefore it was not waste … Continue reading Attorney-General’s Reference (No 5 of 2000): CACD 6 Jun 2001
Where an activity had been continuing without planning permission for 10 years it was no obstacle to obtaining a certificate of lawful use that the activity had been illegal because it had been carried out without a waste management licence. A certificate once granted is conclusive answer to any enforcement notice subsequently issued and is … Continue reading Epping Forest District Council v Philcox: CA 13 Apr 2000
The defendant appealed against an order refusing to set aside an enforcement notice served by the council for his failure to destroy rats and mice on his land. Held: A local authority had a statutory duty to collect waste, and could not therefore serve a notice, requiring a landowner to clear his land of rubbish, … Continue reading Leeds City Council v Spencer: CA 6 May 1999
A waste management licence could constitute both property and onerous property for the purposes of the Insolvency Act. It could also be an interest incidental to the land to which it related. Because of this the liquidator of a waste management company could disclaim the licence without committing an offence under the Act. Citations: Times … Continue reading Official Receiver v Environment Agency: CA 5 Aug 1999
Where there was expert evidence about the condition of premises, but no evidence directly suggesting a threat to the health of the tenant, the magistrates could nonetheless find that the premises were in a condition prejudicial to health, and should follow the evidence available. Citations: Times 21-May-1999, Gazette 03-Jun-1999 Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 79(1)(a) … Continue reading O’Toole v Knowlsey Metropolitan Borough Council: CA 21 May 1999
A notice was served in 1983 under section 58 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 requiring the abatement of a noise nuisance. That section was repealed by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, with effect from 1st January 1991, and a new procedure for statutory nuisance was substituted. On 25th January 1992, an information was … Continue reading Aitken v South Hams District Council: HL 8 Jul 1994
Complaint was made against the council for creating a statutory nuisance under the 1990 Act. The tenant sought compensation under the 1973 Act. The council appealed an award of andpound;3,000 compensation. Held: Compensation should be awarded for the period from the date of the notice until the date of the hearing. Where however the proceedings … Continue reading Regina v Liverpool Crown Court, Ex Parte Cooke: QBD 3 Apr 1996
A sentence of imprisonment was unnecessarily severe for a first offence of dumping tyres. The case did not involve any hazardous substances, and the offences were at the lower end of the scale, despite the results being unsightly, the risk (at worst) of rats and fire, the absence of any long term effect, the absence … Continue reading Regina v O’Brien; Regina v Enkel: CACD 19 Apr 2000
The resident challenged a penatly notice as to the use of a wheelie bin. Citations: [2018] UKFTT NV – 2017 – 0018 Links: Bailii Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 46 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Local Government Updated: 25 April 2022; Ref: scu.619931
Appeal from fixed penalty notice for wheelie bin left on street. Citations: [2018] UKFTT NV – 2018 – 0005 Links: Bailii Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Jury Updated: 25 April 2022; Ref: scu.619934
Judges: Judge Anthony Snelson Citations: [2019] UKFTT NV – 2019 – 0007 Links: Bailii Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 46 46A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Local Government Updated: 23 April 2022; Ref: scu.648217
Not only the actual licensee will be liable for breach of a waste management licence. Agents also can have liability. Citations: Times 10-Apr-1996 Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 33 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Environment Updated: 22 April 2022; Ref: scu.89186
Judges: Judge Anthony Snelson Citations: [2019] UKFTT NV – 2019 – 0005 Links: Bailii Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 46 46A Jurisdiction: England and Wales Local Government Updated: 15 April 2022; Ref: scu.648211
Appeal against injunction in nuisance to stop keeping breeding kennels. The neighbour had begun keeping the kennels, and the neighbour complained to the local Environmental Health office. Abatement notices were served, and the neighbour respondent was granted an interim injunction by the district judge in the County Court. At first instance the judge had then … Continue reading Lloyd v Symonds, Anderson and Lucas: CA 20 Mar 1998
A council has no duty to consider the interests of waste disposal contractors. Citations: Times 07-Jul-1993 Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 51(1) Cited by: Appeal from – Regina v Avon County Council Ex Parte Terry Adams Ltd CA 20-Jan-1994 Tendering procedures adopted by a Local Authority must not be framed to prefer their own company. … Continue reading Regina v Avon County Council, Ex Parte Terry Adams Ltd: QBD 7 Jul 1993
An abatement notice was addressed by the respondent city council to freehold owners of tenanted premises, in respect of a noise source which it was out of their power to stop. This was noise from perfectly normal everyday living, which reached one flat from the flat above due to the absence (under ceiling, on floor … Continue reading Network Housing Association Ltd v Westminster City Council: QBD 7 Nov 1994
The local authority served notices for noise abatement, requiring the land owners to install sound limiting devices. The owners claimed that the terms of the notice were ultra vires in requiring them to allow entrance to the authority’s officers, and were uncertain in their requirements. Held: The notices required a step to be taken within … Continue reading Lambie and Another v Thanet District Council: QBD 17 Aug 2000
The Council appealed by case stated against dismissal of its allegation of statutory nuisance by the defendant busker. Judges: Kennedy LJ, Royce J Citations: [2003] EWHC 2698 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 79 80(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Nuisance Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.188500
The appellants had served a notice requiring abatement of a nuisance on an address from which senior officers had previously corresponded but which was not the registered office of the company. The requirement in the Act to serve the notice at the proper address was not mandatory. The intention was to provide summary relief in … Continue reading Hewlings v Mclean Homes East Anglia Ltd: QBD 3 Aug 2000
When serving notice of statutory nuisance upon a local authority, the tenant, having been told to notify the housing department could serve the notice there. The power to specify an alternative means of service is not limited to the Council Secretary. Citations: Times 09-Feb-1999 Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 79(1) Local Government Updated: 08 April … Continue reading Hall v Kingston Upon Hull City Council and similar: QBD 9 Feb 1999
Statutory nuisance proceedings are in their nature criminal proceedings, and compensation may be awarded by the court. Citations: Times 07-Nov-1994, (1994) 16 Cr App R (S) 622 Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 82(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Adopted – Regina v Inner London Crown Court ex parte Bentham QBD 1989 The defendant sought legal … Continue reading Botross v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council: QBD 7 Nov 1994
Appeal by case stated by the London Borough of Hackney against the decision of the Crown Court at Southwark to allow an appeal against conviction for six offences of breach of an enforcement notice: ‘Each of the six informations charged the respondent that without reasonable excuse he failed to comply with the abatement notice which … Continue reading London Borough of Hackney, Regina (on the Application Of) v Rottenberg: Admn 24 Jan 2007
Judges: Lloyd Jones , Hamblen , Hickinbottom LJJ Citations: [2017] EWCA Civ 1133, [2017] WLR(D) 522 Links: Bailii, WLRD Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 78F Jurisdiction: England and Wales Environment, Land Updated: 28 March 2022; Ref: scu.591682
Judges: Newman J Citations: [2002] EWHC 2095 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Environmental Protection Act 1990 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Environment Updated: 31 January 2022; Ref: scu.189085
A trustee under a will where there was a life interest had the ability to assert a lien over the estate in respect of potential liability which might be incurred because of the necessity of complying with any order for the clean-up of land forming part of the estate, even though the part of the … Continue reading X v A and Others: ChD 13 Oct 1999
An employee of the appellant had deposited a number of black bags containing commercial office waste on the land adjoining the appellant’s own premises. The prosecutor said that the deposit of the bags of waste in those circumstances amounted to an ‘escape’ within the meaning of section 34(1)(b). Held: The company’s appeal succeeded. The issue … Continue reading Gateway Professional Services (Management) Ltd v Kingston Upon Hull City Council: Admn 8 Mar 2004
Those intending to claim costs as part of statutory nuisance case under the Act should give advance notice of their claim or objection. Times 05-Feb-1998, Gazette 11-Feb-1998 Environmental Protection Act 1990 82(2) England and Wales Environment Updated: 21 January 2022; Ref: scu.89753
Request for na order requiring justices to state a case after dismissal of the claimant’sprivate prosection. Held: The request was refused. Simon LJ, Collins J [2016] EWHC 746 (Admin) Bailii Environmental Protection Act 1990 79 82 England and Wales Nuisance, Crime Updated: 14 January 2022; Ref: scu.562890
A notice of a statutory nuisance need not specify the acts required to remedy the nuisance, nor the capacity in which the person served is served. It is sufficient to identify the faults in a non-technical way. There is no good reason to import any additional requirements beyond those set out in the Act. Times … Continue reading East Staffordshire Borough Council v Fairless: Admn 14 Oct 1998
An award of costs is inevitable after a finding of statutory nuisance and such costs include cost of establishing the nuisance. ‘The wide discretion as to whether to grant an adjournment conferred by section 10 and section 54 of the Magistrates’ Court Act 1980 cannot, usually, be impugned. But it is a power which must … Continue reading Regina v Dudley Magistrates Court ex parte Hollis; Robert v Same: Admn 25 Nov 1997
Mance J explained the need to construe the statute so as to identify the rule of attribution appropriate to the relevant statutory offence: ‘The rule of attribution appropriate to a particular situation (e.g., the nature and level of conduct or knowledge which will be regarded as satisfying a requirement in a statute that a company … Continue reading Shanks and Mcewan (Southern Waste Services) Ltd v Environment Agency: Admn 14 Oct 1997
It is the responsibility of the prosecution to disprove the existence of reasonable excuse for non-compliance once a defence raised. Times 19-Nov-1997, [1997] EWHC Admin 885 Environmental Protection Act 1990 80(4) 80(6) England and Wales Citing: See Also – Polychronakis Chief Legal and Property Officer for and on Behalf of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council v … Continue reading Polychronakis v Richards and Jerrom Limited: Admn 16 Oct 1997
This appeal raises a question of contractual interpretation. Its significance lies in the fact that the contractual condition in question forms part of the Loan Market Association standard terms and conditions for par trade transactions which are a recommended set of terms published by the LMA and commonly used in the secondary loan market. Tael … Continue reading Tael One Partners Ltd v Morgan Stanley and Co International Plc: SC 11 Mar 2015
[2003] EWHC 1184 (Admin) Bailii Environmental Protection Act 1990 80 England and Wales Criminal Practice, Environment Updated: 21 December 2021; Ref: scu.185339
The Council issued a nuisance notice in respect of sewage being deposited on a property within its area. The statutory nuisance was accepted. The issue was as to whether the sewage system was a public sewer. The judge had found that the original system had, in 1937, served only one property, and therefore had remained … Continue reading City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council v Yorkshire Water Services Ltd: Admn 19 Sep 2001
[2009] EWHC 1541 (Admin), [2010] Env LR 4 Bailii Environmental Protection Act 1990 34(1)(b) England and Wales Environment Updated: 20 November 2021; Ref: scu.347476
The Agency appealed by case stated against the Magistrates’ decision to acquit Thorn of keeping controlled waste contrary to section 33 of the 1990 Act. For that section ‘waste’ had the same meaning as that provided in Art 1(1)(a) of the WFD. The justices found that Wincanton retrieved unwanted electrical goods from retailers who received … Continue reading Environment Agency v Thorn International UK Ltd: Admn 2 Jul 2008
Japanese Knotweed escape is nuisance The defendant appealed against an order as to its liability in private nuisance for the escape of Japanese Knotweed from its land onto the land of the claimant neighbours. No physical damage to properties had yet been shown, but the reduction in value which had occurred. Held: The decision of … Continue reading Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd v Williams and Another: CA 3 Jul 2018
Surplus soil and subsoil from a pipeline excavation was hauled by the appellants to other land where it was tipped. The hauliers were convicted of depositing controlled waste contrary to section 33(1) of the 1990 Act. The complaint was that the judge had misdirected the jury by saying: ‘In law, an intention to pass on … Continue reading Evan Jones and Another, Regina v: CACD 2011
Mr Evans, had demolished a greenhouse at his garden centre. He engaged a haulier, the respondent, to carry the rubble to his other garden centre site to form the base of a car park. The haulier was charged with the unlawful deposit of controlled waste contrary to section 33 of the 1990 Act. The justices … Continue reading Environment Agency v Inglenorth Ltd: Admn 17 Mar 2009
Natural England appealed against the quashing of an SSSI. Held: The notification of an SSSI was not the making of a plan as respects the land affected, but the flagging up of it. The real purpose of the proceedings was to allow the land owners to continue to replenish their sea defences. That work would … Continue reading Boggis and Another v Natural England: CA 20 Oct 2009
Cranston J said: ‘The issue before us is whether the judge was correct in ruling at a preparatory hearing for the trial that regulation 23 of the UK Regulations and article 36 of the EU Regulation catch all those who are involved in transporting waste for export, from the point of origin where waste is … Continue reading KV and Others v Regina: CACD 19 Oct 2011
The defendant had been convicted of fly-tipping. His activities were commercial but did not involve any dangerous or offensive waste. Held: A prison sentence (14 months) was still capable of being proper. The defendant’s activities had been extensive and had caused substantial expense to the local authority. Parliament had since increased the maximum penalty. Lord … Continue reading Regina v Kelleher: CACD 6 Nov 2008
The prosecutor appealed against a finding of no case to answer. The defendants were accused in relation to the deposit on farm land of soil and sub-soil excavated during construction works on other land. The defendants included the works manager and the farm owners. The prosecutor said the materials were controlled waste requiring a license … Continue reading W, C and C, Regina v: CACD 11 May 2010
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A waste management licence was property, but public policy required that such licences should not be disclaimable by liquidators. There is a need to preserve responsibilities of those taking such licences. . .
A Local Authority failed in its duty by only observing rather than acting upon pollution of local beaches. . .
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The case involved an allegation of noise, a nuisance at an all night rave. No works were required to abate the nuisance and whether the 1990 Act had created any fundamental change in the law, as the Council claims, was not raised. . .
The magistrates had concluded that the movement of waste, previously tipped by others in the entrance to the Respondents’ field, did not amount to a ‘deposit’, within s.33(1)(a) of the 1990 Act. The Council appealed against dismissal of it . .
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Developers submitted applications for outline permission for the development of a business park. The applicant sought to quash the grant on the basis that the environmental assessment was insufficiently detailed, and contained reserved matters, and that the development conflicted with the applicable unitary development plan. Held: The intent of the legislation had been satisfied, and … Continue reading Regina v Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Ex Parte Milne (2): QBD 31 Jul 2000
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 claimant complained that the law which protected an occupier of a dwelling house from a temporary stop notice did not apply to those living in caravans, and that this was discriminatory. Held: The claim failed. ‘usually a change of use of a building to a dwelling will cause less immediate environmental damage than the … Continue reading Wilson v Wychavon District Council and Another: Admn 20 Dec 2005
Parliament’s Approval if statute rights affected In a referendum, the people had voted to leave the European Union. That would require a notice to the Union under Article 50 TEU. The Secretary of State appealed against an order requiring Parliamentary approval before issuing the notice, he saying that the notice could be given under the … Continue reading Miller and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union: SC 24 Jan 2017
Mrs Nolan had been employed at a US airbase. When it closed, and she was made redundant, she complained that the appellant had not consulted properly on the redundancies. The US denied that it had responsibility to consult, and now appealed. Held: The appeal failed (Lord Carnworth dissenting). That the exact situation might not have … Continue reading The United States of America v Nolan: SC 21 Oct 2015
Plannning permission was sought. Objectors said that it would have such an impact that an environmental impact assessment was required. They now sought judicial review of the decision to proceed without one. Held: The judge had explained the approach correctly, and the role of the court is to conduct a Wednesbury review of the decision … Continue reading Jones, Regina (on the Application of) v Mansfield District Council and Another: CA 16 Oct 2003
The claimant challenged the grant of planning permission for a new football ground for Fulham Football club, saying that an Environmental Impact Assessment had not been obtained, but was required. Held: Where a planning application if completed would have a substantial effect on the environment, and an environmental impact assessment should have been first obtained, … Continue reading Berkeley v Secretary of State For The Environment and Others: HL 11 May 2000
Issues arose as to a new planning permission for two existing hangars. Held: The appeal succeeded. The question of the validity of conditions attached to planning permissions will sometimes be a difficult one. To be valid, a condition must be imposed for a planning purpose and not for an ulterior one; it must fairly and … Continue reading Newbury District Council v Secretary of State for the Environment: HL 1980
The applicant sought to bring an action to challenge new rules on approval of export credit guarantees. The company was non-profit and founded to support investigation of bribery. It had applied for a protected costs order to support the application, and now appealed its refusal. Held: The court restated the practice on the making of … Continue reading Corner House Research, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: CA 1 Mar 2005
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
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
Power to call in is administrative in nature The powers of the Secretary of State to call in a planning application for his decision, and certain other planning powers, were essentially an administrative power, and not a judicial one, and therefore it was not a breach of the applicants’ rights to a fair hearing before … Continue reading Regina (Holding and Barnes plc) v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions; Regina (Alconbury Developments Ltd and Others) v Same and Others: HL 9 May 2001
The claimant sought damages from the first defendant for breach of copyright. An ex parte search order had been executed, with the defendant asserting his privilege against self-incrimination. As computer disks were examined, potentially unlawful images of children were found. The searching officer asked the court for directions as to what to do. Held: The … Continue reading C Plc and W v P and Secretary of State for the Home Office and the Attorney General: ChD 26 May 2006
The claimant owned land which contained a canal. After disuse it had become subject an order declaring it a site of special scientific intrest. The owner complained that this removed his right to develop uses of the land and infringed his human rights. Held: The procedures did allow some development subject to controls. It was … Continue reading Trailer and Marina (Leven) Limited v The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, English Nature: QBD 6 Feb 2004
Interim Injunctions in Patents Cases The plaintiffs brought proceedings for infringement of their patent. The proceedings were defended. The plaintiffs obtained an interim injunction to prevent the defendants infringing their patent, but they now appealed its discharge by the Court of Appeal. Held: The questions which applied when looking for an interim injunction in patent … Continue reading American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd: HL 5 Feb 1975
Questions on Entry must be answered B was questioned at an airport under Schedule 7 to the 2000 Act, and required to answer questions asked by appropriate officers for the purpose set out. She refused to answer and was convicted of that refusal , contrary to paragraph 18 of that Schedule. She appealed, saying that … Continue reading Beghal v Director of Public Prosecutions: SC 22 Jul 2015
The claimant appealed against the denial of her claim that the defendant had infringed her right to respect for her private life. She was a model who had proclaimed publicly that she did not take drugs, but the defendant had published a story showing a picture of her leaving a drug addiction clinic, along with … Continue reading Campbell v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd (MGN) (No 1): HL 6 May 2004
Use of Special Counsel as Last Resort Only The accused faced charges of conspiring to supply Class A drugs. The prosecution had sought public interest immunity certificates. Special counsel had been appointed by the court to represent the defendants’ interests at the applications. Held: It was permissible to use special counsel, but this must genuinely … Continue reading Regina v H; Regina v C: HL 5 Feb 2004
Judicial Review must be timely The appellant challenged the grant of permission for a wind farm on neighbouring land. His application for judicial review had been rejected for delay and on the merits. Held: The court repeated the requirement that an application must be both timely and in any event made within three months. Both … Continue reading Finn-Kelcey v Milton Keynes Council and MK Windfarm Ltd: CA 10 Oct 2008
Our law-index is a substantial selection from our database. Cases here are restricted in number by date and lack the additional facilities formerly available within lawindexpro. Please do enjoy this free version of the lawindex. Case law does not ‘belong’ to lawyers. Judgments are made up of words which can be read and understood (if … Continue reading law index
