The parties had disputed the terms of an insurance policy. The House considered whether it could hear the case once the dispute had been settled. Held: There was no remaining dispute for the House to settle. Viscount Simon LC said: ‘My Lords, in my opinion, the House should decline to hear this appeal on the … Continue reading Sun Life Assurance Co of Canada v Jervis: HL 1944
Tribunal practice – reliance on specialist knowledge of tribunal member not disclosed to the parties – whether breach of the rules of natural justice The claim was in respect of invalidity benefit. On 8 August 1989 an adjudication officer decided on review that from 22 August 1989 the claimant had not proved that he was … Continue reading (Un-named): SSCS 18 Jan 1993
The defendant was accused of a minor assault. He complained first about orders made by the district judge, but now complained that he was a barrister who had been instructed by the firm of solicitors which had been the subject of a complaint by the defendant, and that the judge had a conflict of interest. … Continue reading Gray v Bristol Magistrates Court: Admn 7 May 2008
Police officers appealed against refusal of orders protecting their anonymity when called to appear before the Robert Hamill Inquiry. Held: ‘The tribunal accordingly approached the matter properly under article 2 in seeking to ascertain whether giving evidence would give rise to a materially increased risk to life. Having found that it did not, it did … Continue reading In re Officer L: HL 31 Jul 2007
The appellants were magazines and journalists who published, after committal proceedings, the name of a witness, a member of the security services, who had been referred to as Colonel B during the hearing. An order had been made for his name not to be disclosed during the hearing, but the court had had no power … Continue reading Attorney-General v Leveller Magazine Ltd: HL 1 Feb 1979
An industrial tribunal hearing conducted behind the locked doors of the chairman’s office was not held in public, even if, in fact, no member of the public was prevented from attending. The obligation to sit in public was fundamental, and the tribunal had no jurisdiction to conduct itself in this way. The industrial tribunal system … Continue reading Storer v British Gas plc: CA 25 Feb 2000
The defendants appealed convictions for contempt of court, on the basis of having wilfully interrupted the court. The respondent said that no appeal lay. Held: The statute was ambiguous, and ‘there can be no good reason why a person convicted under s.12 should not have a right of appeal against conviction as well as against … Continue reading Haw and Another v City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court: Admn 12 Dec 2007
The company faced a prosecution under the 1968 Act, in respect of a brochure. On conviction, the company asked the Crown Court to state a case for the Divisional Court. The Recorder refused as to two points, saying that they were decisions of fact not law. The company sought judicial review for mandamus to require … Continue reading Sunworld Limited v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council: QBD 2000
The applicant sought publication of a report prepared for the respondent as to the even handedness of its reporting of matters in the middle east. The BBC had refused saying that the release of the report would have direct impact on its ability to report crucial world events and was exempt. The tribunal had decided … Continue reading British Broadcasting Corporation v Sugar and Another: Admn 27 Apr 2007
The defendant was charged with driving with excess alcohol and being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol. It was clear that on the facts the former charge included the latter. The magistrates found the facts proved but convicted only on the driving charge and acquitted on the lesser charge. The prosecutor appealed by … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutors v Gane: Admn 1991
The local authority had refused to register a childminder, who successfully appealed to the magistrates, who awarded costs in her favour. The local authority appealed against the costs order. In doing so the authority urged the court to apply, by analogy, the principle that costs are not usually ordered in child cases. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Sutton London Borough Council v Davis (Number 2): FD 8 Jul 1994
The claimant was an employee of the company manufacturing alcohol measuring devices. He sought judicial review of decisions by magistrates to require him to attend court to give evidence which would require him to breach obligations of confidence he had undertaken. Held: Judicial review proceedings were available if necessary to quash witness summonses issued under … Continue reading Cunliffe, Regina (on the Application of) v West London Magistrates’ Court: Admn 6 Jul 2006
For the purposes of rating, where, in addition to legal possession, ‘use and enjoyment’ of the hereditament is required to establish occupation so as to give rise to liability. Citations: [1944] KB 412 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Bushell and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Newcastle Upon Tyne Licensing Justices … Continue reading Associated Cinema Properties Ltd v Hampstead Borough Council: 1944
The defendants sought judicial review of decisions by magistrates to substitute out of time properly named companies as defendants in cases under the 1990 Act. Held: The court had repeated the error made in the Marco case, by substituting as a defendant a party not before the court. The effect of the district judge’s decision … Continue reading Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd v HM Courts Service (South West Region, Devon and Cornwall Area) and others: Admn 14 Jun 2006
The appellant sought judicial review of the seizure by the respondents of computers found on its premises in the course of executing warrants under the Act, even though the computers might contain other matters not relevant to any investigation. Held: It had been impossible to make arrangements at the appellant’s home to copy the hard … Continue reading H, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: Admn 23 Oct 2002
The appellant had been sentenced to life for firearms offences. After a successfully appeal, a retrial was ordered. More than two years had passed, after a previous attempt failed for absent witnesses. Held: Referred to the US decision in Barker and Wingo (1972) 407 US 514, invoking the sixth amendment – ‘In all criminal prosecutions, … Continue reading Bell v Director of Public Prosecutions of Jamaica: PC 1985
The defendant had been accused of obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty by warning motorists of presence of a police speed trap. The prosecutor appealed from dismissal of the charge. Held: ‘the hand signals given by the respondent were intended to warn motorists approaching from behind to reduce their speed because of … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions, Regina (on the Application of) v Glendinning: Admn 13 Oct 2005
The defendant was the registered keeper of a vehicle recorded as having exceeded the speed limit. He was required to identify the driver. He responded saying that it was one of six fleet vehicles and could not say who was driving it at the time. He appealed his conviction. Held: The defendant’s appeal succeeded. The … Continue reading Jones v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 30 Jan 2004
The defendant sought a Judicial review of the magistrates’ decision to adjourn case at request of prosecutor. The prosecutor had failed to comply with its disclosure obligations, and de-warned its witnesses before the date fixed for trial. Held: The justices’ decision had been lawful. The defendant was unable to establish any prejudice to him in … Continue reading W, Regina (on the Application of) v Camberwell Youth Court and Another: Admn 10 Sep 2004
The appellant had requested the magistrates to state a case as to why they had ruled against his submission that he had no case to answer. The established rule is that they do not have to give such reasons. He argued that the new Human Rights duties required such reasons to be given to allow … Continue reading Moran v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 30 Jan 2002
The appellant had taken certain insurance risks on behalf of the respondents, subject to banking indemnities. Disputes arose and were settled under a Tomlin order, which was now itself subject to challenge. Held: The appeal was allowed. The agreement was intended to put the arbitration behind the parties. A commercial contract should be interpreted in … Continue reading Sirius International Insurance Company (Publ) v FAI General Insurance Limited and others: HL 2 Dec 2004
The claimants had been imprisoned for many years before their convictions were quashed. They claimed compensation under the Act. The assessor said that there should be deducted from the award the living expenses they would have incurred if they had not been in prison. Held: The statutory scheme replaced an ex gratia scheme, and there … Continue reading Independent Assessor v O’Brien, Hickey, Hickey: CA 29 Jul 2004
The court discussed the relative duties of solicitor and counsel. Taylor LJ set out the principles that: 1) In general a solicitor, is entitled to rely upon the advice of counsel properly instructed; 2) For a solicitor, without special experience in a particular field, to rely on counsel’s advice is to make normal and proper … Continue reading Locke v Camberwell Health Authority: CA 23 May 1991
Judges: Davis J Citations: [2004] EWHC 2506 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Regina v Brentford Justices ex parte Catlin 1975 A decision by magistrates whether to issue a summons pursuant to information laid involves the exercise of a judicial function, and is not merely administrative. A summons (or warrant) is … Continue reading London Borough of Newham, Regina (on the Application of) v Stratford Magistrates’ Court: Admn 12 Oct 2004
The claimant sought emergency rehousing saying that he was a vulnerable person within section 189. The court at first instance had overturned the rejection of his claim by the authority. Held: The test set out in the statute was to be followed strictly. It asked whether, if he was left homeless he would be less … Continue reading Griffin v Westminster City Council: CA 28 Jan 2004
The court considered an application to quash an order requiring the attendance of the claimant to give evidence: ‘Normally this court will not entertain an application for a quashing order in relation to a decision made in a magistrates’ court where the proceedings in that court are not complete. In R v Rochford Justices ex-parte … Continue reading Hoar-Stevens v Richmond Magistrates’ Court: Admn 23 Oct 2003
The CPS appealed against dismissal of their case by the Crown Court after no representative had appeared at court to present the case. Counsel had two cases, and had asked this to be held pending completion of the other which then overran. Counsel knew of the conflict but had not requested a ‘not before’ listing. … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service, Regina (on the Application of) v Portsmouth Crown Court: Admn 1 May 2003
The claimant was a mental patient under compulsory detention, and complained that he had been subjected to periods of seclusion. Held: The appeal succeeded. The hospital had failed to follow the appropriate Code of Practice. The Code was not obligatory, but following it would generally ensure that a patient’s rights were not infringed. It recognised … Continue reading Munjaz v Mersey Care National Health Service Trust And the Secretary of State for Health, the National Association for Mental Health (Mind) Respondent interested;: CA 16 Jul 2003
The appellants challenged the legality under European law of orders under the Act restricting their freedom of movement, after suspicion of involvement in football violence. Held: Although the proceedings under which orders were made were civil, the standard of proof required was virtually that of a criminal court. Public policy could be used to justify … Continue reading Gough and Another v Chief Constable of Derbyshire: CA 20 Mar 2002
The defendants had been required to enter into a recognisance to be of good behaviour after disrupting a hunt by blowing of a hunting horn. They were found to have unlawfully caused danger to the dogs. Though there had been no breach of the peace, they had acted contrac bonos mores. They complained that the … Continue reading Hashman and Harrup v The United Kingdom: ECHR 25 Nov 1999
When considering if premises fell within the section, and were ‘in such a state as to be prejudicial to health’, the court must consider some feature of the premises which was in itself prejudicial. An arrangement of rooms which was unsatisfactory and might be considered insanitary did not fall within the provision. The risk of … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Oakley: HL 29 Nov 2000
The prosecution have a duty to disclose to the defence the statement of an adverse witness and not just to provide the name and address, even though that person was not seen as credible witness by the prosecution. ‘the rule in Bryant and Dickson is not in conformity with the principles relating to disclosure established … Continue reading Regina v Mills, Regina v Poole: HL 24 Jul 1997
In each case, youths had been committed to the Crown Court for trial but complained that the Youth Court should have dealt with the cases, and sought judicial review of the Youth Court decision. Held: The test for a review of a decision of the Youth Court is whether that decision was wrong. The court … Continue reading Regina (C and Another) v Sheffield Youth Court; Regina (N) v Sheffield Youth Court: QBD 23 Jan 2003
At trial in the magistrates court, the prosecution had failed to bring evidence that the computer used to analyse the defendant’s breath alcohol was in proper working condition. The defendant submitted no case to answer, and the magistrates allowed the prosecutor to re-open his case to put the evidence. The defendant appealed. Held: The appeal … Continue reading Christopher James Jolly v Director of Public Prosections: Admn 31 Mar 2000
On the first day of the trial, the complainant was allowed to lead on matters prior to the date of the first allegation. At the adjourned hearing, with a different court clerk, the defendant was not allowed to cross examine the complainant on the same matters. The justices failed to state a case, and so … Continue reading Regina v West London Magistrates’ Court ex parte Waite: Admn 7 Jul 1999
The claimant was subject to an order requiring him to obtain leave before commencing any civil proceedings. He commenced a private prosecution which the respondent later decided to take over and discontinue. He sought judicial review of that decision. He said that no leave was required because it was part of criminal proceedings not covered … Continue reading Ew v Director of Public Prosecutions and Others: CA 11 Feb 2010
Where the police had exercised their statutory duty in opposing a transfer of justices licence without being unreasonable or acting in bad faith, they should not be ordered to pay the applicant’s costs after a successful appeal to the Crown Court.Lightman J said: ‘It seems to me quite clear that on the basis of that … Continue reading Regina v Methyr Tydfil Crown Court ex parte Chief Constable Dyfed Powys Police: Admn 9 Nov 1998
The defendant sought certiorari of a refusal of an adjournment of his hearing by the respondent. His defence team had requested an adjournment for a psychiatric report. The court had said such a report would not go as to mens rea. Held: The divisional court did have power to review a decision of the court … Continue reading Regina v District Court Martial Sitting at RAF Lyneham (ex parte SAC Wayne Robert James Stoodley): Admn 20 May 1998
The Home Secretary has the power to fix the tariff sentence for a lifer at her whole life where that was needed in order to satisfy the requirements of retribution and of deterrence.Lord Bingham of Cornhill CJ said: ‘I can see no reason, in principle, why a crime or crimes, if sufficiently heinous, should not … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Home Department ex parte Hindley: Admn 18 Dec 1997
The defendant sought judicial review of the decision of the magistrates to commit her to prison for non-payment of fines. The had found wilful neglect to pay. Held: The magistrates had erred in thinking that the variability of the defendant’s wage disallowed an attachment order. The committal was quashed and the case remitted for rehearing. … Continue reading Regina v York Magistrate Court ex parte Grimes: Admn 12 May 1997
The applicant sought an order declaring the property he occupied to be a nuisance, and that his landlords must execute repairs. The authority replied that the applicant had not allowed them access in order to carry out the works (Kerr). The stipendiary magistrate dismissed the application without giving reasons. The applicant argued that Kerr applied … Continue reading Regina v Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate, Ex Parte Mahmed Ali: Admn 28 Apr 1997
The defendant was asked to give a sample of blood. He declined, saying that the sight of blood drove him into a trance in which state he was liable to be violent. The Director appealed the finding that this was a proper excuse as a health concern. Held: The district judge had failed to distinguish … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Mukandiwa: QBD 21 Oct 2005
The applicant had been detained pending extradition to the United States on charges of fraud. He said the evidence would not have been sufficient to justify his committal for trial. Held: The Francis case did not establish that the 1984 Act did not apply to extradition procceedings, and they might also be admissible under the … Continue reading In Re Levin; Regina v Governor of Brixton Prison, Ex parte Levin: HL 10 Apr 1997
The defendant appealed her convictions for assaulting a police officer and obstructing him in the course of his duty. She had acted in an abusive manner, but there had been no violence. Held: Whilst she might have been arrested on the basis that a breach of the peace might occur, there had to have been … Continue reading Hawkes v Director of Public Prosecutions: CACD 2 Nov 2005
The claimant sought judicial review of the decision to serve an abatement notice in respect of premises where the normal noise incidents of living were heard in neighbouring flats, which notices were to be abated by noise insulation. Held: The contention that a lack of adequate sound insulation can cause premises to be in such … Continue reading Vella v London Borough of Lambeth: Admn 14 Nov 2005
The prosecution appealed dismissal of an allegation of speeding. The defendant had argued that the prosecution had not served the required evidence. The prosecution sought to rely upon the evidence of the officer. Held: The provisions of section 20 were permissive and did not preclude the prosecution from adducing the evidence of the record in … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Thornley: Admn 3 Feb 2006
Mr Pelling sought to act as a McKenzie friend. On being refused he sought judicial review of he decision to exclude him. Held: Review was refused. A McKenzie friend has himself no locus to challenge a decision by a county court judge not to allow him to be present in a chambers appointment; that right … Continue reading Regina v Bow County Court Ex parte Pelling: QBD 8 Mar 1999
A knife fell from the defendant’s jeans during the course of a police search. He claimed to have forgotten about it. Held: It is important to concentrate on the time in respect of which the defendant is charged. Six days earlier he had the knife on him for a good reason, because the justices found … Continue reading Director of Public Prosecutions v Gregson: QBD 23 Sep 1992
The claimants challenged the instruction that they must squat whilst undergoing a strip search in prison. A dog search had given cause to supect the presence of explosives in the wing, and the officers understood that such explosives might be hidden anally. Held: The common thread in all the cases has been the search to … Continue reading Regina v Carroll and Al-Hasan and Secretary of State for Home Department: Admn 16 Feb 2001
The defendant company traded as A and J Bull Containers. They hired out a builder’s skip which was left out, unlit, on the highway at night. A cyclist rode into it and died. An information was laid against ‘A J Bull Ltd’, charging an offence under the Highways Act 1980. The hearing took place after … Continue reading Marco (Croydon) Ltd v Metropolitan Police Commissioner: QBD 1983
‘The word ‘occupy’ is a word of uncertain meaning. Sometimes it denotes legal possession in the technical sense, . . At other times ‘occupation’ denotes nothing more than physical presence in a place for a substantial period of time, . . Its precise meaning in any particular statute . . must depend on the purpose … Continue reading Madrassa Anjuman Islamia of Kholwad v Municipal Council of Johan-Nesburg: PC 1922
Mrs Carter had paid a man to murder someone. The man was an undercover police agent. In time Mrs Carter was convicted of soliciting to commit murder, but Mr Carter was acquitted. She disclaimed all interest in the money she had paid in favour of her husband. He applied to the Magistrates under the Act, … Continue reading Regina (on the application of Carter) v Ipswich Magistrates’ Court: Admn 2002
The claimants challenged a planning permission granted to a waste disposal site, saying that it violated their article 8 rights. Held: The court asked whether there was reasonable and convincing evidence that the claimants quality of life would be so directly effected by the incinerator proposal as to engage article 8, ‘The answer to that … Continue reading Regina (Vetterlein) v Hampshire County Council: Admn 2001
The claimant sought an order for possession of land outside St Paul’s cathedral occupied by the protestor defendants, consisting of ‘a large number of tents, between 150 and 200 at the time of the hearing, many of them used by protestors, either regularly or from time to time, as overnight accommodation, and several larger tents … Continue reading City of London v Samede and Others: QBD 18 Jan 2012
The justices had purported to hear and determine an information of accessory after the fact of a larceny. Held: The action was a nullity; and thus the defendant’s acquittal was also a nullity. The justices had therefore not exhausted their jurisdiction and had not barred themselves from acting in their other and quite distinct capacity … Continue reading Regina v West: 1964
Administrative Discretion to be Used Reasonably The applicant challenged the manner of decision making as to the conditions which had been attached to its licence to open the cinema on Sundays. It had not been allowed to admit children under 15 years of age. The statute provided no appeal procedure, and the applicant sought a … Continue reading Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947
Sewage works could not be treated as ‘premises’ under the section. ‘The very magnitude of the authority conferred upon justices by the sections under consideration affords a powerful argument that they are intended for ordinary and comparatively simple cases . .’ Citations: (1889) 22 QBD 520 Statutes: Public Health Act 1875 91 Cited by: Not … Continue reading Regina v Parlby: 1889
The court was asked whether section 139 precluded a mental patient from applying for leave to move for judicial review. Held: A restriction on the bringing of civil or criminal proceedings imposed by the section 139 did not apply to proceedings for judicial review. Ackner LJ concluded that Parliament had not intended to bar the … Continue reading Ex parte Waldron: CA 1986
Orders of justices of peace, made in pursuance of the Excise laws, may be removed by certiorari: and the words ‘party, person,’ andC. in the Act of 23 G 2, C 18, do not include the Crown; therefore a certiorari, on the motion of His Majesty’s Attorney General, was directed to issue, although the time … Continue reading Rex v Berkley and Bragge: 1819
The claimant appealed against a costs order. She had previously appealed against an order of the High Court on her application for judicial review of the inquest held by the respondent. Held: The coroner, and others in a similar position should not generally be expected to pay the costs of an appeal against an order … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Davies (No 2) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham: CA 27 Feb 2004
Challenge by a surety to an estreatment of his recognizance was not a matter relating to a trial on indictment for the purpose of section 29(3) because it did not affect the conduct of the trial. A sensible legislative purpose can be seen for excluding appeal or judicial review of any decision affecting the conduct … Continue reading In re Smalley: HL 1985
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 court considered the power to quash a magistrates decision for an error on the part of the prosecutor. Held: Munby J said: ‘In the first place, and as ex p Fox-Taylor and ex p A show, the jurisdiction is not confined to, although it is no doubt most frequently exemplified by, criminal cases where … Continue reading Regina (on the application of Marsh) v Lincoln District Magistrates’ Court: Admn 2003
The Applicant was charged and remanded into custody by the Justices, having refused conditional bail. Bail was later granted, but he sought judicial review of the original remand decision, just before his trial, which then intervened. After the trial, the Divisional Court quashed the remand decision adjourning the claim for damages. It was said that … Continue reading Regina v Blandford Magistrates Court ex parte Pamment: CA 1990
The parties entered into charter for a basic period of ten years. After the first two years the charter hire rate was to be assessed by the London Tanker Broker Panel, subject to a minimum. A side letter from the owners to the defendants contained a ‘funding arrangement’ under which, if the hire fixed by … Continue reading Gator Shipping Corporation v Trans-Asiatic Oil Ltd, The Odenfeld: 1978
P, a 16 year old boy with learning difficulties faced charges. A psychologist said his IQ was so low (52) that P would not be able to understand or reply rationally to the charges. The justices decided that he was fit to plead; they had formed a view of him from watching him during the … Continue reading Regina (P) v Barking Magistrates Court: Admn 2002
The court considered the power to require magistrates to state a case on an interloctory issue. Held: Where the Justices had not made a final determination they had no jurisdiction to state a case. Section 111 applies only to a final determination of a case. Citations: [1985] QB 920 Statutes: Magistrates Courts Act 1980 11191) … Continue reading Streames v Copping: 1985
Trespass for assaulting, and turning plaintiff out of a police office. Plea, that two of the defendants, being justices of the peace, were assembled in a police office to adjudicate upon an information against AB for an offence against a penal statute, and were proceeding to hear and determine the same, when the plaintiff (being … Continue reading Collier v Hicks: 7 Jun 1831
A proposed McKenzie friend was a solicitor who was to be paid, but did not wish to be on the record. H appealed a refusal to allow him to be present in chambers. The Judge had taken the view that the proceedings were of a highly confidential nature and that it was unnecessary for the … Continue reading Re G (Chambers Proceedings: McKenzie friend): CA 10 Jul 1991
F who was 16 years old when he appeared before the juvenile court charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. The justices decided to proceed summarily. No plea was taken. After being released on bail, he later appeared before a different bench, facing additional charges. The justices purported to reverse the previous decision. … Continue reading Regina v Newham Juvenile Court ex parte F (A Minor): QBD 1986
The act of the justices in purporting to commit the appellant for trial on five informations was a nullity and thus did not deprive the justices of jurisdiction to hear those informations summarily at a subsequent date. Judges: Earl of Reading CJ Citations: [1920] JP 598 Citing: Followed – Rex v Marsham ex parte Pethick … Continue reading Bannister v Clarke: 1920
The Divisional Court could, in some cases inflict costs on justices who were guilty of some gross impropriety. Judges: Cockburn CJ Citations: (1874) LR 9 QB 557 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Regina on the Application of Davies (No 2) v HM Deputy Coroner for Birmingham CA 27-Feb-2004 The claimant appealed against … Continue reading Regina v Goodall: 1874
The applicants appealed the refusal of judicial review of the refusals of their appeals against exclusion from school. Held: The Act provided a full appeal procedure from the initial decision of the school’s head teacher, first to the governors, and then to an independent appeal panel. They argued that Rowlands established that a right to … Continue reading Regina (DR) (AM) v St George’s Catholic School and Others, Regina (A) v Kingsmead School Governors and Another: CA 13 Dec 2002
A permanently excluded pupil sought judicial review of the decision to exclude him. The school resisted saying that since there remained an avenue of appeal, a judicial review was inappropriate. He could still ask for a review of the decision of the independent appeal panel. Held: Such a decision was of great importance to the … Continue reading Regina (A) v Kingsmead School Governors and Another: QBD 13 Mar 2002
A local County Council asked for tenders for meat. It specified the maximum depth of subcutaneous fat of pork. A school cook ordered pork without making any reference to the depth of the fat. A quantity of pork was thereafter delivered. The pork did not meet the specifications. The Appellant meat suppliers were convicted of … Continue reading Louis C Edwards (Manchester) Limited v Charles Miller: CA 1981
The applicants, both aged 16, sought permission to bring judicial review of a decision to commit thme for trial at the adult Crown Court on theft charges along with a co-defendant adult (though 18). Held: Permission was granted. Hayden J said: ‘the Administrative Court will normally not interfere with a public authority’s assessment of evidence … Continue reading ZN and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Bromley Youth Court: Admn 9 Jul 2014
The defendant had been charged with a simple offence under the Public Order Act and also with the racially aggravated offence. The magistrates refused to hear them together. Held: This was wrong. Keene LJ said: ‘For the prosecutor, Mr Moran contends that the justices are not required by section 9 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act … Continue reading Crown Prosecution Service, Regina (on the Application of) v Blaydon Youth Court: Admn 6 Oct 2004
The defendants, young boys, had set fire to paper and thrown the lit papers into a wheelie bin, expecting the fire to go out. In fact substantial damage was caused. The House was asked whether a conviction was proper under the section where the defendant had given no thought to a risk of damage, but … Continue reading Regina v G and R: HL 16 Oct 2003
Guidance was given on orders for payment of costs by justices who found themselves respondents to judicial review proceedings. Justices who refused consent to quash a committal and failing to appear may be subject to such orders. Citations: Independent 07-Oct-1994, Times 13-Oct-1994, [1994] 1 WLR 1684 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Regina v … Continue reading Regina v Newcastle Under Lyme Magistrates Court Ex Parte Massey and Others: QBD 7 Oct 1994
Where magistrates considered an offence for which a driving ban was discretionary, they were entitled at that stage to take account of the driving record, even though they knew they would have to take that same record into account when considering a totting up ban. There was no double jeopardy, since the two systems considered … Continue reading Jones v Director of Public Prosecutions: QBD 20 Oct 2000
Justices have no jurisdiction to check the validity of an entry on the non-domestic rating list. Citations: Independent 07-Jul-1994, 1994 WL 1062535 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Secerno Ltd and Others v Oxford Magistrates Court and Another Admn 19-Apr-2011 The applicants each sought judicial review of a decision of the magistrate that … Continue reading Hackney London Borough Council v Mott and Fairman: QBD 7 Jul 1994
The defendant had been convicted and made subect to a confiscation order in 1996. A final order for enforcement was made in late 2002. The defendant said the delay in the enforcement proceedings was a breach of his right to a trial within a reasonable time. Held: The reasonable time guarantee afforded by Article 6.1 … Continue reading Lloyd v Bow Street Magistrates Court: Admn 8 Oct 2003
The defendant appealed his conviction for rape, saying that the complainant’s evidence had wrongfully been allowed to be given over a remote video link. Provisions to allow such means of giving evidence had been intended to be phased in only as training allowed. No notice had been given to apply to the court which had … Continue reading R, Regina v: CACD 4 Apr 2008
Mr James applies for an order of judicial review to quash a decision of Surrey Justices sitting in Guildford who on 18 September 1997 refused him a defendant’s costs order. The question for decision is whether the justices were properly entitled to refuse such an order. Judges: The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales … Continue reading James, Regina (on The Application of) v South West Surrey Magistrates’ Court: Admn 18 Apr 2000
The police had applied to a judge for an order under the 1984 Act requiring the applicant, a suspect in a fraud investigation, to produce documents falling within the definition of ‘special procedure documents’ under the Act. The applicants sought leave to appeal from a refusal of an order for judicial review of the decision … Continue reading Carr v Atkins: CA 1987
The defendant contracted to build a plant for the claimant. The plant was damaged by a fire caused by the defendant’s independent sub-contractor. The defendant appealed against the finding that it was responsible for the sub-contractor’s failure. The risk of fire had been identified, but not properly understood. The judge found that the defendant had … Continue reading Biffa Waste Services Ltd and Another v Maschinenfabrik Ernst Hese Gmbh and others: CA 12 Nov 2008
The Authority appealed from refusal of judicial review of a circular issued by the respondent as to the supply of Plastic Baton Rounds and CS gas from central resources only. The authority suggested that the circular amounted to permission for the use of plastic baton rounds for the first time in England and Wales and … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex Parte Northumbria Police Authority: CA 18 Nov 1987
Club, not members, prosecutable for breach The Environment Agency appealed against dismissal of charges against the defendants who were officers in an unincorporated members’ golf club on whose land there had been pollution. The judge had ruled that the unincorporated association could have been prosecuted under the 1978 Act, and that a prosecution would not … Continue reading Regina v RL and JF: CACD 28 Aug 2008
No collateral attack on Jury findigs. An attempt was made to open up in a civil action, allegations of assaults by the police prior to the making of confessions which had been disposed of in a voir dire in the course of a criminal trial. The plaintiffs had imprisoned having spent many years after conviction … Continue reading Hunter v Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police: HL 19 Nov 1981
The King, as the executive government, sought to govern by making proclamations. In particular the court rejected the proposition that ‘the King by his proclamation may prohibit new buildings in and about London’ Held: The monarch had no power to legislate domestically in his own right. Sir Edward Coke CJ said: ‘The King by his … Continue reading Proclamations, Case of: KBD 1 Nov 1610
A statement made by a politician as to his intentions on a particular matter if elected could not create a legitimate expectation as regards the delivery of the promise after elected, even where the promise would directly affect individuals, and the costs of a child’s education. Any consequences of a failure to keep a promise … Continue reading Regina v Department of Education and Employment ex parte Begbie: CA 20 Aug 1999
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 Licensing (Scotland) Act 1903 does not interfere with the discretion of the Licensing Authority, and consequently an action to reduce a deliverance of such licensing authority save on the ground of its having exceeded its statutory jurisdiction, or its having refused a hearing allowed by statute, or of actual corruption, is irrelevant. A licence-holder … Continue reading Walsh v Pollokshaws Magistrates and Others: HL 3 Dec 1906
The claimants had had criminal charges brought against them by the defendants. A court had ordered them discharged, but the defendant had recommenced proceedings and these second set of proceedings had also been dismissed by the court. They now applied for their costs. Held: The SFO’s conduct had been described as improper: ‘This application was, … Continue reading Evans and Others v The Serious Fraud Office: QBD 12 Feb 2015
The claimants, two solicitors and their employer firm sought damages alleging trespass and malicious procurement by police officers in obtaining and executing search warrants against the firm in 2007 when they were investigating suspected offences of money laundering. Clients of the firm had been arrested and convicted of drug dealing related offences. The firm was … Continue reading Fitzpatrick and Others v The Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: QBD 11 Jan 2012
The question before the House was whether a committal was a nullity when the magistrate had received inadmissible evidence. Held: Committal proceedings should only be judicially reviewed in cases of ‘really substantial error leading to demonstrable injustice’. Lord Mustill stated: ‘I think it would be impossible to maintain that all errors of this kind on … Continue reading Neill v North Antrim Magistrates’ Court: HL 1992
The Home Secretary may not later extend the tariff for a lifer, after it had been set by an earlier Home Secretary, merely to satisfy needs of retribution and deterrence: ‘A power conferred by Parliament in general terms is not to be taken to authorise the doing of acts by the donee of the power … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department, Ex Parte Pierson: HL 24 Jul 1997
The magistrate had failed to swear a witness and purported to convict the applicant in that case. The case was reheard on sworn evidence. Held: The court refused to quash the conviction. The magistrate correctly treated the first hearing as ‘a nullity’ because ‘it proceeded on evidence which must have compelled this court to quash … Continue reading Rex v Marsham ex parte Pethick Lawrence: 1912
What makes a road a Road? The Court was asked whether a Road was a ‘road’ for the purposes of the 1984 Act’ Held: It has often been said that the public access mentioned in the definition of ‘road’ must be both actual access and legal or lawful access. However, simple reference to a requirement … Continue reading Bowen and Others v Isle of Wight Council: ChD 3 Dec 2021
The defendant had been convicted of robbery. He appealed, saying that a member of the jury was a neighbour to his brother, and there was therefore a risk of bias. This was of particular significance as the defendant was charged with conspiracy with that brother to commit burglaries. The juror had sworn an affidavit that … Continue reading Regina v Gough (Robert): HL 1993
