The claimant had been seriously injured in an accident during a swimming lesson. She sought to claim against the local authority, and now appealed against a finding that it was not responsible, having contracted out the provision of swimming lessons. She said that the duty of care was non-delegable. Held: Her appeal succeeded. For a … Continue reading Woodland v Essex County Council: SC 23 Oct 2013
The House considered the liability of main contractors on a construction site for the negligence of it sub-contractors.Lord Bridge said: ‘It is trite law that the employer of an independent contractor is, in general, not liable for the negligence or other torts committed by the contractor in the course of the execution of the work. … Continue reading D and F Estates v Church Commissioners for England: HL 14 Jul 1988
The Bank had employed a doctor to provide medical assessments as necessary. The doctor had used the opportunities presented to assault sexually many patients. The court was now asked whether the Bank was vicariously liable for the acts of this independent contractor. Held: The appeal was allowed. The Doctor was not employed by the bank … Continue reading Barclays Bank Plc v Various Claimants: SC 1 Apr 2020
The claimant had been abused as a child by foster parents with whom she had been placed by the respondent authority. The court was now asked, the Council not having been negligent, were they in any event liable having a non-delegable duty of care with accompanying vicarious liability? Held: The appeal succeeded (Lord Hughes dissenting). … Continue reading Armes v Nottinghamshire County Council: SC 18 Oct 2017
The Court of Appeal was not in general entitled to reverse the decision of the Administrative Court in the grant of discretionary interlocutory relief: ‘it is I think appropriate to remind your Lordships of the limited function of an appellate court in an appeal of this kind. An interlocutory injunction is a discretionary relief and … Continue reading Hadmor Productions Ltd v Hamilton: HL 1982
An employer’s liability for racial abuse by its employees is wider than its liability under the rules of vicarious liability. The statute created new obligations. Sex and race discrimination legislation seeks to eradicate the ‘very great evil’ of discrimination.Waite LJ said: ‘a statute is to be construed according to its legislative purpose, with due regard … Continue reading Tower Boot Company Limited v Jones: CA 11 Dec 1996
The hospital was held accountable for an injury caused by negligence of an employee radiographer. The main issue was whether the authority could be vicariously liable even for employees in cases where their employment called for the exercise of special skill of a kind which the authority could not reasonable be expected to supervise or … Continue reading Gold v Essex County Council: CA 1942
The Council sought an interim order restraining a protest outside one of it junior schools against the teaching of certain matters relating to sexual behaviour, sexuality, and gender. The named defendants and, it would appear, a significant proportion of the protestors are of the Muslim faith, advocating what some have described as the ‘conservative values’ … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others: QBD 18 Jun 2019
Reason for grant of injunction to restrain demonstrations outside a school. Judges: Warby J Citations: [2019] EWHC 1619 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others QBD 18-Jun-2019 The Council sought an interim order restraining a protest outside one … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others: QBD 25 Jun 2019
Claim for injunctions to restrict street protests about a school, and to prohibit online abuse of teachers at that school Judges: Warby J Citations: [2019] EWHC 3217 (QB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others QBD 18-Jun-2019 The Council sought an interim order restraining a … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others: QBD 26 Nov 2019
The defendant’s employee disliked his neighbours – the plaintiffs. Whilst working in the sorting office, he wrote racially abusive materials on letters addressed to them. The plaintiffs appealed a finding that the defendant was not liable because the acts were not carried out as part of the employee’s work. Held: The test was whether the … Continue reading Irving and Irving v Post Office: CA 1987
To count as a trade dispute, the dispute must ‘relate wholly or mainly’ to terms and conditions of employment and must not merely be ‘connected’ with them. The application of this test requires the court: ‘to consider not merely the occasion which caused the dispute to break out but also the reason why there was … Continue reading Mercury Communications Ltd v Scott-Garner: CA 1984
The various claimants sought to challenge the 2004 Act by way of judicial review on the grounds that it was ‘a disproportionate, unnecessary and illegitimate interference with their rights to choose how they conduct their lives, and with market freedoms protected by European law; and an unjust interference with economic rights.’ Held: ‘We have concluded … Continue reading Countryside Alliance and others v HM Attorney General and others: Admn 29 Jul 2005
EAT The company decided to close two branches and make redundancies. They presented the closure itself as a fait accompli to the union representatives. The Tribunal found that this involved a failure to consult about ways of avoiding redundancies because the decision to close had been determined prior to any meeting with the union. Held: … Continue reading Securicor Omega Express Ltd v GMB (A Trade Union): EAT 7 Apr 2003
The claimant, a cabin crew member of the defendant’s staff sought damages for sex discrimination. Held: Sedley LJ said that the pool chosen should be that which suitably tests the particular discrimination complained of. Judges: Sedley LJ s Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 1020, [2008] IRLR 74 Links: Bailii Statutes: Equal Pay Act 1970 1 Jurisdiction: … Continue reading Grundy v British Airways Plc: CA 23 Oct 2007
(Grand Chamber) The applicant had been denied access to written examinations and to a lecture at the University of Istanbul because she was wearing an Islamic headscarf. This was prohibited not only by the rules of the university but also by the Constitution of Turkey. Held: Article 9 does not protect every act motivated or … Continue reading Leyla Sahin v Turkey: ECHR 29 Jun 2004
Where a school made teachers redundant because of insolvency, and gave notice to teachers to the end of the summer term, that was to include the summer holidays, and the pay until the end of the holidays was properly claimable against the school, and if necessary against the Secretary of State. The holiday related to … Continue reading In Re A Company (No 008174 of 1999): ChD 2 Nov 1999
ECHR Admissibility – Article 9, paragraph 1 of the Convention: The respect of this provision may create positive obligations for the State. The wording ‘either alone or in community with others’ does not leave a choice to the public authorities between two alternative obligations. In view of the requirements of the education system the authorities … Continue reading X v United Kingdom: ECHR 12 Mar 1981
Parties questioned the admissibility before the House of recommendations of a Royal Commission on Income Tax which had preceded an Act and which counsel for the appellants sought to cite as part of the context of intention of Parliament in relation to a particular section of the Act. Held: Counsel could not make that reference. … Continue reading Assam Railways and Trading Co Ltd v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: HL 1935
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 court considered the proper content of an enhanced criminal record certificate. The claimant said that it should contain only matter relating to actual or potential criminal activity. Held: As to the meaning of section 115: ‘if Parliament had intended to limit relevant information to information of criminal or potentially criminal activity, it would be … Continue reading L, Regina (on the Application of) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and Another: CA 1 Mar 2007
EAT Working Time RegulationsUnfair Dismissal – Exclusions including worker/jurisdictionThe claimant, a lorry driver, worked mainly in Austria and Germany, but had a contract of employment with a company registered in England. The contract identified English law as the proper law and sought to confer exclusive jurisdiction on the English courts. The claimant lodged a number … Continue reading Bleuse v MBT Transport Ltd and Another: EAT 21 Dec 2007
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 Agency sought to impose liability on the appellant to remediate land which had been polluted by the appellant’s predecessor, the East Midlands Gas Board, claiming it to be a responsible as successor. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘the appellant is plainly not, as a matter of ordinary language, a ‘person . . who caused or … Continue reading National Grid Gas Plc, Regina (on the Application of) v The Environment Agency: HL 27 Jun 2007
The applicants were head teachers employed in junior schools. They alleged sex discrimination, and sought to use as comparators head teachers from different local authorities. The comparators had been put forward on the basis that the teacher in question was male and was being paid at a higher rate for work that was like work … Continue reading Morton v South Ayrshire Council: IHCS 14 Feb 2002
The defendant appealed against his conviction under section 35 of the 2004 Act, having pleaded guilty after an adverse ruling as to the law. After being refused asylum and several failed appeals he had refused to give assistance in providing the necessary information to allow his deportation. The CPS and Home Office guidances on the … Continue reading Tabnak, Regina v: CACD 19 Feb 2007
The claimant had lost his company pension and complained that the respondent had refused to follow the recommendation of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration that compensation should be paid. Held: The court should not rely on evidence given by the Ombudsman to a parliamentary select committee committee: ‘to allow the evidence of a witness to … Continue reading Bradley and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Admn 21 Feb 2007
The claimant appealed against adverse findings on her claims of sex discrimination. The court considered questions arising from the provisions relating to the transfer of the burden of proof in a discrimination case. Held: Questions of the burden of proof are very common in discrimination cases: ‘The factual content of the cases does not simply … Continue reading Madarassy v Nomura International Plc: CA 26 Jan 2007
(Northern Ireland) The applicant sought judicial review of a decision not to disclose documents held by the respondent to him saying that the refusal was disproportionate and infringed his human rights. The respondents said that the documents were provided on an assurance of confidentiality. Held: Disclosure rules are different in judicial review proceedings since such … Continue reading Tweed v Parades Commission for Northern Ireland: HL 13 Dec 2006
The defendant appealed by case stated against his conviction by the magistrates for entering the UK without a passport. He had relied on a false passport povided to him by an agent, and had returned it to the facilitator. He was therefore unable to present it on interview. Held: The appeal succeded. The Act was … Continue reading Thet v Director of Public Prosecutionsz: Admn 19 Oct 2006
EAT Practice and Procedure – 2002 Act and Pre-Action Requirements; and Amendment Whether section 32(4) EA 2002 – original time limit – restricts time for bringing a DDA claim to the primary 3 months period, or whether the just and equitable discretion under DDA Schedule 3 Part 3 may be exercised. It is the latter. … Continue reading BUPA Care Homes v Cann; Spillett v Tesco Stores: EAT 31 Jan 2006
EAT Equal Pay Act – Material factor defence – In an equal pay claim involving a presumption of direct discrimination the genuine material factor defence requires justification by objective criteria.The claimant appealed dismissal of her action for equal pay, saying that the ‘material factor’ defence used to justify a different payment had been incorrectly applied. … Continue reading Sharp v Caledonia Group Services Ltd: EAT 1 Nov 2005
Serious abuse was said to have been inflicted by monks of the De La Salle order on those in their charge at an approved school in Scotland. The former pupil claimant contended that the SED owed him a non-delegable duty which entitled him to financial redress for his suffering. Held: The case could not be … Continue reading AM v Reverend Joseph Hendron and others: OHCS 13 Sep 2005
The claimant sought damages for assault by a probationary constable. The constable had been called to a drunken party for Sainsbury’s employees. Held: The claimant had been assaulted. Miss Morgan had introduced herself as a police officer, had threatened the claimant with arrest and had then attempted to carry out the threat or to use … Continue reading Hutchinson v Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Another: QBD 27 Jul 2005
The applicant had given an undertaking to the court to secure discontinuance of company director disqualification procedings. He now sought a variation of the undertaking. Held: The claimant had given an undertaking, but in the light of new evidence proceedings against her her co-directors had been discontinued. A variation should be allowed only where some … Continue reading The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Jonkler and Another: ChD 10 Feb 2006
The claimant said that his employer had failed to respect his right to express his beliefs by obliging him, though a Christian, to work on Sundays. Held: The appeal failed. ‘The Commission’s position on Article 9, as I understand it, is that, so far as working hours are concerned, an employer is entitled to keep … Continue reading Copsey v WWB Devon Clays Ltd: CA 25 Jul 2005
Prison officers claimed awards for sex discrimination. The employer replied that the pools of comparators each contained members of either sex. The appellants sought to establish that any less favourable treatment of them in comparison with the comparators was genuinely due to a material factor which is not the difference of sex and which is … Continue reading Home Office v Bailey and others: CA 22 Mar 2005
(Commission) Article 9 is apt to include a belief such as pacifism, which could be a philosophy. However, Miss Arrowsmith distributed leaflets to soldiers, urging them to decline service in Northern Ireland. This was dictated by her pacifist views. But the contents of the leaflets did not express pacifist views, nor did the act of … Continue reading Arrowsmith v United Kingdom: ECHR 12 Oct 1978
The 2004 Act had been passed without the approval of the House of Lords and under the provisions of the 1911 Act as amended by the 1949 Act. The 1949 Act had used the provisions of the 1911 Act to amend the 1911 Act. The claimant said this meant that the 1949 Act was void, … Continue reading Jackson and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Her Majesty’s Attorney General: Admn 28 Jan 2005
The applicant asserted that the 2004 Act was invalid having been passed under the procedure in the 1949 Act, reducing the period by which the House of Lords could delay legislation; the 1949 Act was invalid, being delegated legislation, had used the powers under the 1911 Act to amend themselves. If the 1949 Act was … Continue reading Regina on the Application of Jackson and others v HM Attorney General: CA 16 Feb 2005
‘in principle, the right to freedom of religion as understood in the Convention rules out any appreciation by the state of the legitimacy of religious beliefs or of the manner in which these are expressed’ Citations: 45701/99, (2002) 35 EHRR 306, [2001] ECHR 860 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 9 Jurisdiction: … Continue reading Metropolitan Church Of Bessarabia And Others v Moldova: ECHR 13 Dec 2001
A proposed takeover had been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the 1973 Act. A majority of the Commission recommended against the takeover. The Deputy (acting instead of the Secretary who had an interest) overruled the Commission. AS challenged that decision, and sought to refer to statements made by the Secretary of State … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Trade, Ex parte Anderson Strathclyde Plc: QBD 1983
Restraint and Disclosure orders had been made on without notice applications at the request of South Africa. The applicant appealed a refusal of their discharge. Held: Such orders did not apply to the applicant’s assets in Scotland. The orders were quashed and new orders substituted restricting their ambit to England and Wales. Judges: Lord Justice … Continue reading King v The Serious Fraud Office: CACD 18 Mar 2008
No anonymity for investigation suspect The claimant had been investigated on an allegation of historic sexual abuse. He had never been charged, but the investigation had continued with others being convicted in a high profile case. He appealed from refusal of orders restricting publication of his name and involvement in the inquiry. Held: (Kerr and … Continue reading PNM v Times Newspapers Ltd and Others: SC 19 Jul 2017
ECJ Reference for a preliminary ruling: High Court of Justice (England and Wales), Queen’s Bench Division – United Kingdom. Approximation of laws – Directive 84/5/EEC – Compulsory insurance against civil liability in respect of motor vehicles – Damage or injury caused by unidentified or insufficiently insured vehicles – Protection of victims – Defective transposition of … Continue reading Evans v The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and The Motor Insurers’ Bureau: ECJ 4 Dec 2003
The claimant worked at a school in London operated by the respondent, and he was paid by them. Spanish teachers received relocation allowances, and he complained that this was discriminatory. The respondent had failed to comply with the order made by the EAT. Held: The failure by the respondent to comply with the order meant … Continue reading Spicer v Government of Spain: CA 29 Jul 2004
(New Zealand) (Attorney General of New Zealand intervening) The defendant MP had made a statement in Parliament which attracted parliamentary privilege. In a subsequent newspaper interview, he said ‘he did not resile from his claim’. He defended the action for defamation claiming the privilege. Held: The original statement had privilege but the repetition outside parliament … Continue reading Jennings v Buchanan: PC 14 Jul 2004
The child sought review of the respondent’s decision not to provide education other than at one school. He had been suspended, but his father refused to allow him to return complaining of the effects of bullying. Held: The condition of being bullied, including its effects could not be equated with ‘illness’ as a valid reason … Continue reading Regina on the Application of G v Westminster City Council: QBD 30 Jan 2004
The claimant had for a number of years had a relationship with a trans-sexual. They had been unable to marry because English law would not recognise a marriage. She compained that on her death her partner would be unable to claim the pension awarded to a partner. Held: The effect of the law was discriminatory. … Continue reading KB v National Health Service Pensions Agency and Secretary of State for Health: ECJ 7 Jan 2004
EAT Race Discrimination – Indirect Judges: His Hon Judge Prophet Citations: UKEAT/516/03, [2003] UKEAT 0516 – 03 – 2511 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Applied – Shamoon v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary HL 27-Feb-2003 The applicant was a chief inspector of police. She had been prevented from carrying out appraisals … Continue reading Spicer v Government of Spain: EAT 10 Oct 2003
Vicarious liability applied, where the lighting of a match to light a cigarette and throwing it on the floor while transferring petrol from a lorry to a tank was held to be in the scope of employment. Citations: [1942] AC 509, [1942] UKHL 2 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Lister … Continue reading Century Insurance v Northern Ireland Road Transport Board: HL 4 Mar 1942
The deceased had assigned his coal merchant business to the respondent against a promise to pay andpound;5.00 a week to his widow whilst she lived. The respondent appealed an order requiring him to make the payments, saying that as a consolidating Act, the 1925 Act should not be read to change the common law. Held: … Continue reading Beswick v Beswick: HL 29 Jun 1967
An IVF treatment centre used sperm from one couple to fertilise eggs from another. This was discovered, and the unwilling donors sought a paternity declaration. Held: Section 28 did not confer paternity. The mistake vitiated whatever consents had been given, and the concept under the Act of ‘treatment together’. Any interference with the right to … Continue reading AHE Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust v A and Others (By Their Litigation Friend, the Official Solicitor), The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority B, B: QBD 26 Feb 2003
The claimant sought damages after being assaulted by a doorman employed by the defendant. Held: The responsibility of the nightclub owner for the actions of his aggressive doorman was not extinguished by the separation in time and place from what had happened in the nightclub, and that vicarious liability was therefore established. The owner had … Continue reading Mattis v Pollock (T/A Flamingo’s Nightclub): QBD 24 Oct 2002
The claimant was injured, being hit in the face by a football in a school playground. It was before school started. There had been accidents, and there were rules which had not been enforced. The school appealed a finding of negligence. Held: ‘a school owes to all pupils who are lawfully on its premises the … Continue reading Kearn-Price v Kent County Council: CA 30 Oct 2002
Three asylum-seekers brought claims of breach of their Article 8 rights. One complained of a local authority’s failure to provide accommodation to meet special needs, the other two of maladministration and delay in the handling of their asylum applications. Held: All three claims failed. The essential object of article 8 is to protect individuals against … Continue reading Anufrijeva v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 22 Mar 2002
The Grand Chamber considered executive interference in the appointment of the Chief Mufti of the Bulgarian Muslims: ‘Where the organisation of the religious community is at issue, Article 9 must be interpreted in the light of Article 11 of the Convention which safeguards associative life against unjustified State interference. Seen in this perspective, the believer’s … Continue reading Hasan and Chaush v Bulgaria: ECHR 26 Oct 2000
There was a difference in treatment between the applicant and a comparator based on the applicant’s sexual orientation, a concept which is undoubtedly covered by Article 14. The list set out in this provision is of an indicative nature and is not definitive, as is evidenced by the adverb notamment (in English: ‘any ground such … Continue reading Salgueiro Da Silva Mouta v Portugal: ECHR 21 Dec 1999
The court had to consider a permanent placement of a child with a view to adoption in oposition to the natural parents’ wishes. Held: Particular weight should be attached to the best interests of the child, which may override those of the parent: ‘These measures were particularly far-reaching in that they totally deprived the applicant … Continue reading Johansen v Norway: ECHR 7 Aug 1996
‘Slippering’, a punishment by hitting a child with a slipper, when used as part of school discipline was not a degrading punishment under the convention. Conduct must attain a minimum level of severity to engage the operation of the Convention. Citations: Independent 26-Mar-1993, 13134/87, (1993) 19 EHRR 112, [1993] ECHR 16 Links: Worldlii, Bailii Statutes: … Continue reading Costello-Roberts v The United Kingdom: ECHR 25 Mar 1993
Hudoc Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Preliminary objection rejected (non-exhaustion); Violation of Art. 8; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses award – domestic proceedings; Costs and expenses award – Convention proceedingsThe requirements identified as flowing from the phrase ‘in accordance with the law’ include this: ‘A norm cannot be regarded as a ‘law’ … Continue reading Olsson v Sweden (No 1): ECHR 24 Mar 1988
To exclude a child from school for as long as his parents refused to let him be beaten ‘cannot be described as reasonable and in any event falls outside the State’s power of regulation in article 2’. The Convention protects only religions and philosophies which are ‘worthy of respect in a ‘democratic society’ and are … Continue reading Campbell and Cosans v The United Kingdom: ECHR 25 Feb 1982
The claimants sought a declaration that part of the Regulations were invalid, and an infringement of their human rights. The Regulations sought to exempt church schools from an obligation not to discriminate against homosexual teachers. Held: The Regulation was within the scope of the Directive. Though a member state had some freedom in implementing a … Continue reading Regina (Amicus etc) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: Admn 26 Apr 2004
The court was asked to interpret the 1976 Act to see whether its protection extended to cohabitees as well as to wives. In doing so it had to look at practice in the Court of Appeal in having to follow precedent. Held: The operation of the doctrine of precedent in the Court of Appeal so … Continue reading Davis v Johnson: HL 2 Jan 1978
The defendant had organised a team bonding day, including a cycling event. The claimant employee was severely injured falling from his cycle. He said that the defendant had been engligent in not providing cycling helmets. The circuit hosting company had said that helmets were available, and recommended. The claimant said there had been no mention … Continue reading Reynolds v Strutt and Parker LLP: ChD 15 Jul 2011
80% of the men who had been employed since 1 April 1997 had got protection under TUPE whereas only 66.66% of the women had. It was argued that this difference in percentages was sufficient to justify a claim of indirect discrimination. Held: There was no sex discrimination where there were genuine reasons for a pay … Continue reading Strathclyde Regional Council and others v Wallace and others (Scotland): HL 22 Jan 1998
The claimant had sought damages against his employer, saying that they had failed in their duty to him under the 1997 Act in failing to prevent harassment by a manager. He appealed a strike out of his claim. Held: The appeal succeeded. The issue is whether an employer may be vicariously liable under section 3 … Continue reading Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust: CA 16 Mar 2005
De minimis principle inindustrial relations ballots. Judges: Lord Donaldson of Lymington MR Citations: [1990] ICR 258 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Dictum disapproved – London Underground Ltd and Others v National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Worker CA 16-Feb-2001 When a union gave notice to the employer that it intended to hold a … Continue reading Post Office v Union of Communication Workers: CA 1990
The applicants sought to control the sums they paid by way of taxation so as not to contribute to non peaceful objects. Held: Both English law and human rights jurisprudence would prevent the claim, and the application for a review failed. Judges: Collins J Citations: [2005] EWHC 1914 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: European Convention on … Continue reading Boughton, Regina (on the Application Of) v Her Majesty’s Treasury: Admn 25 Jul 2005
If subordinate legislation cannot be construed in a way that makes it compatible with fundamental rights, it will be declared ultra vires. Rules which disallowed exemptions from court fees to a litigant in person on income support were invalid. They infringed the rule allowing access to justice. The common law had given special weight to … Continue reading Regina v Lord Chancellor ex parte John Witham: Admn 7 Mar 1997
The principles of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights must be taken into consideration in community law. The principle of effective judicial control laid down in article 6 of Council Directive 76/207, a principle which underlies the constitutional traditions common to the member states and which is laid down in articles 6 … Continue reading Johnston v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary: ECJ 15 May 1986
Citations: C-143/83, [1985] EUECJ C-143/83 Links: Bailii Cited by: Cited – Morton v South Ayrshire Council IHCS 14-Feb-2002 The applicants were head teachers employed in junior schools. They alleged sex discrimination, and sought to use as comparators head teachers from different local authorities. The comparators had been put forward on the basis that the teacher … Continue reading Commission v Denmark (Rec 1985,P 427) (Sv85-31 Fi85-31) (Judgment): ECJ 30 Jan 1985
The manager of a shop was not necessarily liable for a misleading price indication in the shop. There had been a national price reduction advertisement. A customer came into the shop to try to buy a television under the scheme. The store manager refused. The manager was charged with and convicted of giving misleading information … Continue reading Regina v Warwickshire County Council, ex parte Johnson: HL 10 Feb 1993
When a union gave notice to the employer that it intended to hold a ballot as to industrial action, the union was obliged to give details of the members to be balloted, so as to permit the employer to exercise its own rights. ‘Information as to the number, category or workplace of the employees’ concerned … Continue reading London Underground Ltd and Others v National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Worker: CA 16 Feb 2001
A pupil at an approved school went on an Outward Bound course including riding on a cable and pulley slung between two trees. From the cable hung a knotted rope. When the pupil got onto the rope the cable snapped, and he fell with it. He suffered serious injuries from which some years later he … Continue reading Brown v Nelson and others: 1971
The phrase ‘trade dispute’ was defined by reference to (i) the parties to it and (ii) the subject matter. Lord Scarman referred to the legislative history of attempts to regulate strike actions by trades unions: ‘It is wrong to attempt to construe any section or subsection of these Acts without reference to their legislative purpose. … Continue reading NWL Ltd v Woods: HL 1979
Whether beliefs of the Bishop of Holborn were ‘Romish’. Citations: (1866) LR2 A and E 116 Cited by: Appeal from – Martin v Mackonochie PC 1882 The Board sat with ecclesastical assessors to examine whether the religious beliefs of the Bishop of Holborn were Romish. . .Cited – Regina v Secretary of State for Education … Continue reading Martin v Mackonochie: Carc 1866
Citations: [1991] 2 All ER 824 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart HL 26-Nov-1992 Reference to Parliamentary Papers behind Statute The inspector sought to tax the benefits in kind received by teachers at a private school in having their children educated at the school for free. … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: CA 1991
(Commission) In the context of article 8 the rights and freedoms of the child include his interests. ‘The Commission has consistently held that, in assessing the question of whether or not the refusal of the right of access to the non-custodial parent was in confidentially with article 8 of the Convention the interests of the … Continue reading Hendricks v Netherlands: ECHR 1983
(Israel) A free society respects individual differences, and ‘Only the worst dictatorships try to eradicate those differences.’ Judges: Justice Barak Citations: [1994] Isrl LR 478 Cited by: Cited – Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others HL 24-Feb-2005 The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who … Continue reading El Al Israeli Airlines Ltd v Danielowitz: 1994
The court analysed in detail the decision in Lister v Hesley Hall and continued: ‘All of these passages emphasise the necessity of identifying the duty or responsibility of the employer to the victim. If such a duty or responsibility exists, the employer cannot avoid liability because it was delegated to an employee who failed to … Continue reading Balfron Trustees Ltd v Peterson: CA 2001
The plaintiff sought damages from the railway company for carelessly damaging his goods even though he did not himself have a contract with the company. Held: A duty was owed by the railway company towards the goods owner, applying cases which had held that a railway company owed a duty of care towards passengers injured … Continue reading Meux v Great Eastern Railway Co: 1895
(High Court of Australia). A barmaid employed by the appellant threw first the beer from a glass, and then the glass in a customer’s face causing injury. The company appealed a find of vicarious liability. Held: The act of the barmaid was not expressly authorized, it was not so connected with any authorized act as … Continue reading Deatons Pty Ltd v Flew: 12 Dec 1949
A garage attendant, as an act of personal vengeance, assaulted a customer of the garage. A customer at a petrol station was abused by the attendant as he drove off without paying. The customer then paid. He complained to the police officer he found about the attendant’s conduct and persuaded the officer to return with … Continue reading Warren v Henlys Ltd: 1948
The plaintiff was injured by the careless manouvering of a lorry by the defendant’s employee. Held: When considering the vicarious liability of an employer, the proper approach to the nature of the servant’s employment is a broad one. Referring to nouns such as ‘sphere’ and ‘scope’: ‘As each of these nouns implies the matter must … Continue reading Ilkiw v Samuels: CA 1963
A night watchman at a garage drove off in a car left there for his own purposes and damaged it. Held: The garage had delegated to their employee the duty of keeping the car safely secured in the garage and they were liable to the owners of the car for his failure in performance. The … Continue reading Central Motors (Glasgow) Ltd v Cessnock Garage and Motor Co: 1925
The court considered the degree of connection necessary between the act of an employee and his employer’s business to establish liability under the rule respondeat superior: ‘four different types of situation have been envisaged as guides to the solution of this problem. In the first place, if the master actually authorised the particular act, he … Continue reading Kirby v National Coal Board: OHCS 1958
A was a parent of a child. The school complained of A’s behaviour when visiting the school, and was refused a licence to enter the premises without being accompanied. The behaviour continued, and an injunction was obtained. Held: The order was discharged on appeal because it could not be shown that the headmaster had taken … Continue reading Wandsworth London Borough Council v A: CA 20 Jan 2000
Where a residential worker at a children’s home committed sexual abuse on children within his care, the company running the home were not vicariously liable for the acts themselves, but also were not responsible where the worker did not report his own activities but kept them secret. It was unrealistic to try to separate the … Continue reading Lister and others v Hesley Hall Ltd: CA 7 Oct 1999
The court considered the meaning and nature of religious belief, and whether a trust for this purpose could be charitable. Held: Dillon J referred to Russell LJ as having taken the view that the court could hold that there are purposes ‘so beneficial or of such utility’ to the community that they ought prima facie … Continue reading In re South Place Ethical Society: 1980
The teacher was ill and was not to return to work. She expressed her willingness to take early retirement, but then claimed her full entitlement to four months’ notice of her dismissal. Held: The expression of willingness was to be taken as her notice to leave the job if the condition was fulfilled. She had … Continue reading Healey v Bridgend County Borough Council: CA 14 Nov 2002
In the case of a fixed term contract which expired and had not been renewed: ‘Why was not the employee’s contract renewed?’ If the answer was, in the case of a teacher, that there was no more work for him to do and the requirements of the school or college for teachers or lecturers had … Continue reading Nottinghamshire County Council v Lee: CA 1980
(High Court of Australia) A pupil was injured when he swung, whilst skylarking unsupervised, from a halyard attached to a flagpole in the school quadrangle. The halyard was in turn connected to a pulley which was part of a truck attached to the top of the flagpole. The truck, weighing about 7 kilograms, was dislodged … Continue reading Commonwealth v Introvigne: 1982
The court discussed section 11(2) of the 1984 Act: ‘Simplifying that a little bit and reading it with section 11(1), which defines who is qualified and entitled to vote, section 11(2) is saying ‘If you do not allow somebody to vote, if you say ‘You are not entitled to vote,’ then you cannot call him … Continue reading British Railways Board v National Union of Railwaymen: CA 1989
In looking at restrictions by an employer to limit his vicarious liability, the court must distinguish between prohibitions which limit the sphere of employment and those which only deal with conduct within the sphere of employment:’ ‘there are prohibitions which limit the sphere of employment, and prohibitions which only deal with conduct within the sphere … Continue reading Plumb v Cobden Flour Mills Co Ltd: HL 1914
The Court heard an appeal by the school from a finding of liability where boys from the school were allowed to help a farmer by working in a field, unsupervised, and one of them was struck so badly in the eye by a clod of earth thrown amongst them during horseplay that his eye was … Continue reading Camkin v Bishop: CA 1941
(Supreme Court of Queensland – Court of Appeal) TORTS – NEGLIGENCE – ESSENTIALS OF ACTION FOR NEGLIGENCE – DUTY OF CARE – SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND DUTIES – OTHER CASES – plaintiff child was a member of a tae kwon do academy in Townsville – class included children and adults under control of instructor – instructor … Continue reading Fitzgerald v Hill: 16 Sep 2008
(Court of Appeal of New South Wales) Samuels JA discussed the circumstances in which a non-delegable duty of care arises: ‘It arises from a relationship which combines the dependence of A upon the reasonable care, skill and judgment of B with the legitimate expectation that B will ensure that those qualities will be exercised in … Continue reading Ellis v Wallsend District Hospital: 1989
The liquidators of Bilta had brought proceedings against former directors and the appellant alleging that they were party to an unlawful means conspiracy which had damaged the company by engaging in a carousel fraud with carbon credits. On the pleaded facts, Mr Chopra and Mr Nazir were the directing organ of Bilta under its constitution. … Continue reading Jetivia Sa and Another v Bilta (UK) Ltd and Others: SC 22 Apr 2015
In deciding whether in the case of employment under a series of short contracts the intervals between the contracts amount to temporary cessation of work, one must look back from the date of termination of the employment over the whole period during which the employee has been employed. There is a material difference in law … Continue reading Ford v Warwickshire County Council: HL 1983
