EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Appellate jurisdiction/reasons/Burns-Barke An Employment Tribunal decision must comply in both form and substance with 30(6) of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 SI No. 1861 and failure to do so will amount to an error of law; Balfour Beatty Power Networks Ltd v Wilcox [2006] EWCA … Continue reading Greenwood v NWF Retail Ltd: EAT 18 Feb 2011
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Appellate jurisdiction/reasons/Burns-Barke An Employment Tribunal decision must comply in both form and substance with 30(6) of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 SI No. 1861 and failure to do so will amount to an error of law; Balfour Beatty Power Networks Ltd v Wilcox [2006] EWCA … Continue reading Norman and Another v NWF Retail Ltd: EAT 18 Feb 2011
The claimant supporters’ club had brought an action to prevent a substantial shareholder in the first defendant company from selling off land owned by the club for no consideration. The parties had reached a settlement after a protracted claim seeking to prevent a director of a holding company from assigning land belong to the Football … Continue reading Carlisle and Cumbria United Independent Supporters’ Society Ltd v CUFC Holdings Ltd and Others: CA 5 May 2010
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSALCompensationPolkey deductionThe Claimant was unfairly dismissed on 8 November 2006. The Employment Tribunal found she would have been fairly dismissed or resigned on 16 January 2007 and awarded compensation for economic loss up to then but not thereafter. The EAT upheld this award for even if the manner of the dismissal made the … Continue reading Davidson-Hogg v Davis Gregory Solicitors and Another: EAT 15 Nov 2010
(Trinidad and Tobago) A police officer had unjustifiably roughed up, arrested, taken to the police station and locked up Mr Ramanoop, who now sought constitutional redress, including exemplary damages. He did not claim damages for the nominate torts that had certainly been committed. Counsel for the Attorney General submitted that constitutional redress, in so far … Continue reading Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago v Ramanoop: PC 23 Mar 2005
The defendant had been convicted and sentenced for the attempted rape of the claimant. He had subsequently won a substantial sum on the lottery, and she now sought damages. He replied that the action was statute barred being now 16 years old. The claimant said the decision to deny her claim had interfered with her … Continue reading A v Hoare: QBD 14 Oct 2005
LT COMPENSATION – purchase notice – land in use as public open space – terrace of houses on land demolished during second world war – whether Third Schedule rights to be assumed – held they were – compensation andpound;1,600,000 – Land Compensation Act 1961 ss 14(1) and 15(3). Citations: [2007] EWLands LCA – 118 – … Continue reading Greenweb Ltd v London Borough of Wandsworth: LT 17 Sep 2007
The claimant challenged fees which were charged to the respondents on applying to Westminster City Council for sex shop licences for the three years ended 31 January 2011, 2012 and 2013 and which included the council’s costs of enforcing the licensing scheme against unlicensed third parties running sex shops (‘enforcement costs’). The respondents’ applications all … Continue reading Hemming (T/A Simply Pleasure) and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Westminster City Council: SC 19 Jul 2017
The claimant’s daughter had committed suicide after being given home leave on a secure ward by the respondent mental hospital. A claim in negligence had been settled, but the parents now appealed refusal of their claim that the hospital had failed in its article 2 duty to respect her right to life. Held: The decision … Continue reading Rabone and Another v Pennine Care NHS Trust: CA 21 Jun 2010
A contract of insurance provided an indemnity for ‘all sums which the insured shall become legally liable to pay as compensation in respect of loss of property’. The claim was by the Post Office against a contractor, Potters, for damaging one of their cables which in consequence the Post Office had to repair. Before the … Continue reading Post Office v Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society Ltd: CA 1967
COMPENSATION – dwellinghouse – claim for injurious affection caused by the effects of physical factors following construction of new road junction and road layout adjacent to the property – compensation awarded pounds 13,200 -Land Compensation Act 1973 Part 1. Citations: [2007] EWLands LCA – 211 – 2006 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land Updated: … Continue reading Chrisostomou v Manchester: LT 29 Mar 2007
EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION SEX DISCRIMINATION – Burden of Proof Ex-employee given unfavourable reference – Claim that terms of reference were partly on account of her having previously brought sex discrimination proceedings against employers – Claim decided by the Tribunal on basis of the ‘reverse burden of proof’ provisions of s. 63A of Sex Discrimination Act … Continue reading Pothecary Witham Weld (A Firm) and Another v Bullimore and Another: EAT 29 Mar 2010
The defendant implemented a voluntary retirement scheme under which benefits were calculated according to the period of service of the employee. The plaintiff claimed that the scheme discriminated against workers who had taken career breaks, and therefore against women. Held: A severance pay scheme, which calculated the amount payable according to length of service and … Continue reading Barry v Midland Bank Plc: HL 22 Jul 1999
The dispute followed the grounding of a tanker the Ocean Victory. The ship was working outside of a safe port requirement in the charterparty agreement. The contract required the purchase of insurance against maritime war and protection and indemnity risks. The grounding occurred during a combination of severe weather events. Each of the two elements … Continue reading Gard Marine and Energy Ltd and Another v China National Chartering Company Ltd and Another: SC 10 May 2017
Claim for compensation after termination of commercial agency agreement. Judges: Overend J Citations: [2005] EWHC 2790 (QB), [2006] EuLR 578 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Moore v Piretta Pta Ltd QBD 11-May-1998 M had a series of agency contracts selling women’s clothing. The last contract was in 1994, and on termination, … Continue reading Smith, Bailey Palmer v Howard and Hallam Ltd: QBD 14 Nov 2005
The applicant sought damages for the defendant having infringed her privacy in several ways, including under the 1998 Act. The defendant argued that she had invited publicity and had misled the public as to her drug problem. A photograch had been taken as she left a drug rehabilitation group meeting. Held: The fact that she … Continue reading Campbell v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd: QBD 27 Mar 2002
EAT STATUTORY DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURESWhether infringedImpact on compensationUNFAIR DISMISSALCompensationMitigation of lossThe principal issues in the appeal concerned the now repealed statutory dismissal procedure in Employment Act 2002 Schedule 2 Part 1 Chapter 1.The Employment Tribunal did not err in holding that the employer was in breach of the statutory dismissal procedure by failing to … Continue reading West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust v Evans: EAT 19 Aug 2010
The applicant and his friend were seriously assaulted and robbed. Although police officers attended the scene, no investigation into the circumstances of the assault were conducted. The police officers claimed to have considered that the applicant and his friend were intoxicated, so they moved them from the position where they had been found and left … Continue reading Denis Vasilyev v Russia: ECHR 17 Dec 2009
The court considered what elements must be present to create a contract of employment. Held: Stephenson LJ said: ‘There must . . be an irreducible minimum of obligation on each side to create a contract of service.’Kerr LJ said: ‘The inescapable requirement concerning the alleged employees however . . is that they must be subject … Continue reading Nethermere (St Neots) Ltd v Taverna and Gardiner: CA 1984
A nurse was employed under a contract, under which there was no mutuality of obligation; she could refuse work and employer need offer none. This meant that there was no employment capable of allowing an unfair dismissal issue to arise.Sir Christopher Slade summarised as follows: ‘Principles governing appeals from an industrial tribunal At first impression … Continue reading Clark v Oxfordshire Health Authority: CA 18 Dec 1997
The respondent as a temporary worker was entitled to be treated as an employee of an agency within the contract governing the particular engagement where money was due when the agency went into liquidation. He was therefore able to claim against the respondent as such on that insolvency. A temporary worker might be an employee … Continue reading McMeechan v Secretary of State for Employment: CA 11 Dec 1996
Tour guides were engaged to act ‘on a casual as required basis’. The guides later claimed to be employees and therefore entitled by statute to a written statement of their terms of employment. Their case was that an exchange of correspondence between the parties in March 1989 constituted a contract, which was to be classified … Continue reading Carmichael and Another v National Power Plc: HL 24 Jun 1999
COMPENSATION – Acquisition of superior leasehold and freehold interests – absent or untraceable owners – valuation – Places of Worship (Enfranchisement) Act 1920 – compensation awarded pounds 550 Citations: [2007] EWLands ACQ – 64 – 2006 Links: Bailii Statutes: Places of Worship (Enfranchisement) Act 1920 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land Updated: 09 August 2022; Ref: … Continue reading School Room, Eaton Road, Re: LT 3 Jan 2007
Law of vicarious liability is on the move Former children at the children’s homes had sought damages for sexual and physical abuse. The court heard arguments as to the vicarious liability of the Society for abuse caused by a parish priest visiting the school. The Court of Appeal had found some defendants (school management trust) … Continue reading The Catholic Child Welfare Society and Others v Various Claimants and The Institute of The Brothers of The Christian Schools and Others: SC 21 Nov 2012
The claimant’s daughter had committed suicide whilst on home leave from a hospital where she had stayed as a voluntary patient with depression. Her admission had followed a suicide attempt. The hospital admitted negligence but denied that it owed her a positive obligation to protect life under Article 2. Held: The claimants’ appeal succeeded. The … Continue reading Rabone and Another v Pennine Care NHS Foundation: SC 8 Feb 2012
Prisoner’s death – need for full public enquiry The deceased had been a young Asian prisoner. He was placed in a cell overnight with a prisoner known to be racist, extremely violent and mentally unstable. He was killed. The family sought an inquiry into the death. Held: There had been a police investigation and trial … Continue reading Amin, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Oct 2003
Prerogative act of prorogation was justiciable. The Prime Minister had prorogued Parliament for a period of five weeks, leaving only a short time for Parliament to debate and act the forthcoming termination of the membership by the UK of the EU. The Scottish Court had decided (Cherry) that the prorogation was void being for impermissible … Continue reading Miller, Regina (on the Application of) v The Prime Minister; Cherry QC v Lord Advocate: SC 24 Sep 2019
At the council’s independent, single-sex grammar schools there were more places available for boys than girls. Consequently the council were obliged to set a higher pass mark for girls than boys in the grammar school entrance examination. Held: The council, as local education authority, had discriminated against girls. Discrimination can take place when a woman … Continue reading Regina v Birmingham City Council ex parte Equal Opportunities Commission: HL 1989
The plaintiff was a manager within the social services department. He suffered a mental breakdown in 1986, and had four months off work. His employers had refused to provide the increased support he requested. He had returned to work, but again, did not receive the staff or guidance to allow him to do the work … Continue reading Walker v Northumberland County Council: QBD 16 Nov 1994
The Ocean Victory went aground in a storm in Kashima port. The court was now asked (i) what, as a matter of law, was the correct test for an abnormal occurrence; (ii) in particular, was the judge correct to hold that the combination of two weather conditions on the casualty date (namely the phenomenon of … Continue reading Gard Marine and Energy Ltd v China National Chartering Co Ltd: CA 22 Jan 2015
The vessel ‘Ocean Victory’ grounded in 2006 entering a port in a storm. Held: In the first action, that the intermediate charterers were liable to the demise charterers for breach of the safe port warranty in the time charter, and likewise, in the third-party proceedings, that the charterers were liable to the intermediate charterers for … Continue reading Gard Marine and Energy Ltd v China National Chartering Co Ltd and Others: ComC 30 Jul 2013
The claimant, a consultant surgeon had been subject to disciplinary proceedings by his employer. They were however conducted in a manner which breached his contract. The GMC had summarily dismissed the same allegations. The claimant now appealed against an award by the county court judge which had limited his damages to loss of earnings only. … Continue reading Edwards v Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: QBD 31 Jul 2009
The appellants had suffered deep vein thrombosis whilst travelling on long haul air flights. The defendants said that their liability was limited because the injuries were not accidents. Held: The claimants’ appeal failed. The definition of accident in Fenton required adjustment in this context: for Convention purposes the ‘loss or hurt’ cannot itself be the … Continue reading Deep Vein Thrombosis and Air Travel Group Litigation: HL 8 Dec 2005
The charterers were held liable to the shippers for the cost of repairing the vessel when containers containing bleach exploded. The charterers had established a compensation limitation fund in France. Held: The liability of the charterers was defined by the type of claim brought, not by the capacity in which he acted. The charterers appeal … Continue reading CMA CGM Sa v Classica Shipping Co Ltd ‘The CMA Djakarta’: CA 12 Feb 2004
The claimant had been imprisoned then released after his conviction for sexual assaults. He appealed against rejection of his claim for compensation. The criterion for compensation was demonstrating that something had ‘gone seriously wrong in the conduct of the trial.’ Held: The claim failed. ‘a true analysis of the law is in any event less … Continue reading Siddall, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: Admn 16 Mar 2009
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL: Compensation/Mitigation of loss The employee was unfairly constructively dismissed. She was entitled to a 6 month notice period that was not paid by the employees in that period, during some of which she received payments for temporary work from a different employer. The ET, applying Norton Tool and Burlo, did not give … Continue reading Stuart Peters Limited v Bell: EAT 22 Oct 2008
EAT TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS: Acquired rights directive TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS: Varying terms of employment As a matter of construction of TUPE Reg 5(1), a contractual term entitling employees to pay ‘in accordance with collective agreements negotiated from time to time by [the NJC]’ is protected on a TUPE transfer to the private sector so as … Continue reading Alemo-Herron v Parkwood Leisure Ltd: EAT 12 Jan 2009
The parties entered an agreement to distribute and sell goods in the UK. They disagreed as to the meaning of a term governing the termination of the distributorship. Held: The court can not take into account the post-contractual conduct or statements of the parties in order to determine the meaning and effect of the contract. … Continue reading F L Schuler AG v Wickman Machine Tools Sales Limited: HL 4 Apr 1973
LT LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – liability – whether lessee liable for management costs – held lessee liable for costs incurred in providing specified services under lease but not otherwise – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s 27A. Citations: [2008] EWLands LRX – 114 – 2007 Links: Bailii Statutes: Landlord and Tenant Act … Continue reading Norwich City Council v Marshall: LT 23 Oct 2008
The court looked at what makes a case decided per incuriam: ‘a case is not decided per incuriam because counsel have not cited all the relevant authorities or referred to this or that rule of court or statutory provision.’ (Lord Denning MR) Judges: Lord Denning MR Citations: [1975] QB 487 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: … Continue reading Miliangos v George Frank (Textiles) Ltd: CA 1975
LT RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – modification – dwellinghouse – covenant not to erect more than one dwellinghouse and garage – application to modify to permit one additional dwelling -whether restriction obsolete – whether proposed use reasonable – whether practical benefits of substantial value or advantage secured by restriction – whether modification would cause injury – application … Continue reading Burt, Re the Ridings: LT 21 Nov 2008
Judges: Swift J Citations: [2007] EWHC 1406 (QB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – AB and others v British Coal Corporation (Department of Trade and Industry) QBD 27-Jun-2007 The parties disputed the effect of the Claims Handling Agreement (CHA) which regulated claims for compensation for respiratory diseases incurred by people working … Continue reading AB and others v British Coal Corporation (Department of Trade and Industry) (Costs): QBD 27 Jun 2007
The parties disputed the effect of the Claims Handling Agreement (CHA) which regulated claims for compensation for respiratory diseases incurred by people working for the defendant as regards the circumstances for claimants with chronic bronchitis. The claimants said that they need only establish having had the disease whilst working at a mine. The DTI said … Continue reading AB and others v British Coal Corporation (Department of Trade and Industry): QBD 27 Jun 2007
Pay protection provisions are commonly adopted, and provided any differential in pay does not continue for too long, they may justify what would otherwise be unlawful indirect discrimination. Judges: Mummery, Smith, Lindsay LJJ Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 885, [2008] IRLR 776, [2009] ICR 133 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Redcar … Continue reading Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council v Bainbridge and others (‘Bainbridge 1’): CA 29 Jul 2008
The appellant had employed the three claimants in his medical surgery, but they claimed automatic unfair dismissal when the practice closed on his suspension from practice and the statutory procedures were followed but not to the procedural standard, alleging unreasonable delay in the appeals. Held: The employer’s appeal succeeded. The employees’ appeals failed. There was … Continue reading Selvarajan v Wilmot and others: CA 23 Jul 2008
LT RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – modification – dwellinghouse – restriction preventing any permanent building or structure to be erected without seller’s consent – application to modify to permit erection of large garden shed – whether restriction obsolete – whether those entitled to benefit of restriction agreed to its modification – whether injury to objectors – application … Continue reading (Un-named): LT 15 Apr 2008
EAT TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGSThe principles and approach which a Tribunal should take where there has been a transfer of one service provider’s activities to two or more transferees, and there is disagreement as to whether an employee’s contract is now to be with the transferor or any of the transferees, considered. The Tribunal had decided … Continue reading Kimberley Group Housing Ltd v Hambley and others (UK) Ltd: EAT 25 Apr 2008
EAT Unfair dismissal – CompensationContract of Employment – Written particularsThe Employment Tribunal Chairman wrongly awarded forward loss of earnings to the Claimant who was dismissed 10 minutes before her one month’s notice of resignation took effect. Her loss of earnings in her new job was not attributable to the dismissal. Gover and Ors v Property … Continue reading Ros and Another (T/A Cherry Tree Day Nursery) v Fanstone: EAT 14 Sep 2007
The defendant appealed his convictions for offences relating to the claiming of benefits, saying that he was immune from prosecution as a member of the European Parliament, and that the verdicts were inconsistent with acquittals on other charges. Held: There had been no abuse of process in prosecuting the defendant whilst he was a member … Continue reading Mote v Regina: CACD 21 Dec 2007
LT COMPENSATION – Land Compensation Act 1973 Part I – house affected by road alterations acquisition by agreement of right to enter land to build wall for purpose of works compensation paid pursuant to this – held claim under Part I precluded – 1973 Act s 8 Citations: [2008] EWLands LCA – 102 – 2006 … Continue reading Lall and Another v Transport for London: LT 31 Jan 2008
Rix LJ considered the restraints operating a party to a contract in exercising any discretion gien under it, preferring the use of the term ‘irrationality’ to ‘unreasonableness’: ‘It is plain from these authorities that a decision-maker’s discretion will be limited, as a matter of necessary implication, by concepts of honesty, good faith, and genuineness, and … Continue reading Socimer International Bank Ltd v Standard Bank London Ltd: CA 22 Feb 2008
Judges: Swift DBE J Citations: [2007] EWHC 1948 (QB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – AB and others v Small Mines, UK Coal QBD 13-Aug-2007 . . See Also – AB and others v British Coal Corporation and Coal Mining Contractor Defendants QBD 22-Jun-2004 . . See Also – AB and … Continue reading AB and others v British Coal Corporation (Rulings Appended): QBD 13 Aug 2007
The appellant challenged the decision that he had not been an employee of the respondent. He had worked for them first through an agency, and come to be closer to them, but was still not paid sick pay. He complained that the tribunal had decided he was not an employee without first listening to the … Continue reading Raymond Franks v Reuters Limited, First Resort Employment Limited: CA 10 Apr 2003
The taxpayer company had received compensation for having been excluded from its business premises for a period until a compulsory purchase process failed. It treated the receipt as capital. The revenue said it was income. Held: The court considered how to treat mistakes of law by lower courts.Buxton LJ said: ‘We were assured on all … Continue reading Able (UK) Ltd v Revenue and Customs: CA 22 Nov 2007
The appellant appealed a finding that the respondent had been its employee, saying he was a minister of religion. Held: The judge had been entitled to find an intention to create legal relations, and therefore that the claimant was an employee. ‘The religious beliefs of a community may be such that their manifestation does not … Continue reading The New Testament Church of God v Reverend Stewart: CA 19 Oct 2007
The council appealed against a finding of discrimination under the 1970 Act, saying it was impermissible to use as a comparator somebody found after a job evaluation study to be of a different, but lower grade, but with higher pay. Held: The appeal failed. The Act implemented a European Directive and should be read purposively. … Continue reading Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council v Bainbridge and others: CA 21 Sep 2007
LT COMPENSATION – Compulsory purchase – unused land required for parking – untraceable owner – comparable transaction – compensation awarded andpound;32,500. Citations: [2007] EWLands ACQ – 16 – 2006 Links: Bailii Land Updated: 11 July 2022; Ref: scu.258716
The claimant, now aged four and the son of a famous author, was photographed by use of a long lens, but in a public street. He now sought removal of the photograph from the defendant’s catalogue, and damages for breach of confidence. Held: The claim was struck out. In effect this was an application for … Continue reading Murray v Express Newspapers Plc and Another: ChD 7 Aug 2007
EAT Unfair dismissal – Exclusions including worker/jurisdiction These two appeals consider the circumstances in which contracts will be considered illegal so as to preclude an employee from taking claims for unfair dismissal. In Payne the Employment Tribunal found that there was no illegal contract; in Grace that there was. `The EAT upheld the Payne decision … Continue reading Enfield Technical Services Ltd v Payne; Grace v BF Components Ltd: EAT 25 Jul 2007
The claimants, a firm of accountants, sued their former clients for unpaid fees. The defendant company counterclaimed for professional negligence. The claimant had expended andpound;5.6m in costs. The claimants now sought a non-party costs order against former directors of the company, which had gone into administration. They said that the company’s counterclaim was built on … Continue reading Chantrey Vellacott v The Convergence Group Plc and others: ChD 31 Jul 2007
LT COMPENSATION – Compulsory Purchase – dwelling house -freeholder in bankruptcy – trustee in bankruptcy disclaiming interest -freehold determined on escheat – absentee first chargee -compensation determined at andpound;6,000 -s5 and Schedule 2 Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 not applicable. Judges: Trott FRICS Citations: [2007] EWLands ACQ – 99 – 2006 Links: Bailii Statutes: Compulsory Purchase … Continue reading Corner and others v Salford City Council: LT 9 May 2007
The court considered what property should be considered in an ancillary relief claim on divorce, and said: ‘To what property does the sharing principle apply? The answer might well have been that it applies only to matrimonial property, namely the property of the parties generated during the marriage otherwise than by external donation; and the … Continue reading Charman v Charman (No 4): CA 24 May 2007
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
The claimants sought damages and other reliefs after being wrongfully detained by immigration officers for several days, during which they had been detained at a detention centre and left locked up when it burned down, being released only by other inmates. The respondent argued that immigration officers had immunity from suit. Held: Brooke LJ said … Continue reading ID and others v The Home Office (BAIL for Immigration Detainees intervening): CA 27 Jan 2005
The claimants alleged that the legislation governing retirement was indirectly discriminatory against men. Though the right not to be unfairly dismissed maximum age limit was the same for men and for women, that did not apply on a redundancy. Held: A great deal depended upon the method of selection of the pool of workers, should … Continue reading Rutherford and Another v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry: CA 3 Sep 2004
The claimant asserted that the 1998 Act created rights between the parties that are in substance though not in form of a contractual nature; and rights to compensation for infringement of those primary rights of a nature that did not previously exist in English domestic law. He said that when the defendant had proceesed information … Continue reading Johnson v The Medical Defence Union: CA 28 Mar 2007
The claimant sought judicial review of a refusal to make an ex gratia payment for his imprisonment whilst successfully resisting extradition proceedings. Terrorist connections had been suggested, but the judge made an explicit finding that at no stage had any evidence been produced. Held: The 1988 Act provided only limited circumstances for a payment, but … Continue reading Raissi, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 22 Feb 2007
The claimant was an agent in the petrochemical industry promoting and selling the defendant’s valves. There were two agency agreements, one relating solely to products to be supplied to a particular petro-chemical complex in Nanhai, the other being a general agency agreement under which the claimant was given exclusive rights to represent the defendant and … Continue reading PJ Pipe and Valve Co. Ltd. v Audco India Ltd: QBD 2 Sep 2005
When drawing up accounts where the company faces contingent laibilities and provision has to be made, the principles upon which such provisions are made does not depend upon (Lord Radcliffe) ‘any exact analysis of the legal form of the relevant obligation’ but upon estimates of what in practice is likely to happen.The House noted the … Continue reading Southern Railway of Peru Ltd v Owen: HL 21 Jun 1956
The appellant had been injured in the course of his employment for which the respondents were liable. Sometimes his left leg would gave way beneath him. He was descending a steep staircase without a handrail when the leg collapsed and he tried to jump down the stairs so that he would land in a standing … Continue reading McKew v Holland and Hannan and Cubitts: HL 26 Nov 1969
The claimant had received an overpayment of benefits (Job seeker’s allowance), but then was made bankrupt. He now said that this was a debt in the bankruptcy. Held: It was not. At the date of the bankruptcy order, the possible reclaim was not yet a contingent debt, and he remained liable. There was no contingent … Continue reading Steele, Regina (on the Application of) v Birmingham City Council and The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 16 Dec 2005
A parent had complained about the closure of a hospital unit which led to his daughter not receiving treatment. The Commissioner in her report commented adversely on the doctors involved. Both doctors and the parent sought judicial review of the report. Held: The appeal succeeded, and a review was granted. The Commissioner’s functions were limited … Continue reading Nicholas Cavanagh Raymond Bhatt Frank Redmond v The Health Service Commissioner: CA 15 Dec 2005
EAT Transfer of Undertakings: Consultation and Other Information; Transfer Practice and Procedure: Appellate Jurisdiction Nature of ‘undertaking’ for the purposes of TUPE: could there be a stable economic entity arising out of work done under contract where the contract could be terminated at will or others brought in to do the work in substitution? Could … Continue reading Balfour Beatty Power Networks Ltd Interserve Industrial Services Ltd v C Wilcox and 6 others A Seymour and 18 others I M Realisation Ltd (In Administration): EAT 2 Nov 2005
The claimants were dependants of Iraqi nationals killed in Iraq. Held: The Military Police were operating when Britain was an occupying power. The question in each case was whether the Human Rights Act applied to the acts of the defendant. The question amounted to whether the officers acted under State Agent Authority within the convention … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of Mazin Mumaa Galteh Al-Skeini and Others) v The Secretary of State for Defence: CA 21 Dec 2005
The defendant appealed against a finding that the pooled betting scheme they operated was governed by the Act. Held: Whether such an arrangement amounted to a collective investment scheme so as to be regulated was first a question of fact as to whether there was a single set of arrangements so as to constitute a … Continue reading Financial Services Authority v Fradley and Woodward: CA 23 Nov 2005
Judges: Lord Osborne and Lady Cosgrove And Lord Philip Citations: [2005] ScotCS CSIH – 73, 2006 SC 178, [2005] CSIH 73 Links: Bailii, ScotC Citing: Cited – Ocean Leisure Ltd v Westminster City Council LT 31-Dec-2003 LT COMPENSATION – injurious affection – hoardings erected in street during construction works outside shop premises – preliminary issue … Continue reading Logan v Scottish Water: OHCS 1 Nov 2005
EAT Unfair Dismissal Unfair Dismissal – redundancy – unfair selection due to lack of adequate individual consultation – no error of law. Judges: His Honour Judge Peter Clark Citations: [2005] UKEAT 0361 – 05 – 0410, UKEAT/0361/05 Links: Bailii, EAT Cited by: See Also – Knapton and others v ECC Card Clothing Ltd EAT 7-Mar-2006 … Continue reading ECC Card Clothing Ltd v Knapton and Another: EAT 4 Oct 2005
Application was made to join in further parties to support a cross undertaking on being made subject to interim injunctions. Held: On orders other than asset freezing orders it was not open to the court to impose cross-undertakings against parties unwilling to grant them. ‘Since a cross-undertaking cannot be imposed, it follows that a fortiori … Continue reading Smithkline Beecham Plc and others v Apotex Europe Ltd and others: PatC 26 Jul 2005
EAT Practice and Procedure -and- Disability DiscriminationAppellant’s application to raise a new point on appeal (that the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945 applies to Disability Discrimination Act 1995 section 8(3) damages) was refused as the Employment Tribunal had already decided, at its liability hearing, to deduct 40% from unfair dismissal compensation and had not … Continue reading The Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind v Begg: EAT 31 Mar 2005
ECHR Judgment (Merits and Just Satisfaction) – No violation of Art. 5-1-e; Violation of Art. 5-4; Violation of Art. 5-5; No separate issue under Art. 13; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedings.The complainant had been subject to detention in a mental hospital. She now complained that there had … Continue reading Kolanis v The United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Jun 2005
The local authority in whose care the deceased child had been held challenged a decision by the coroner not to limit his inquiry to the last few days of the child’s life. The coroner had decided that he had an obligation to conduct a wider enquiry under the 1968 Act. Held: ‘The central question in … Continue reading Plymouth City Council v HM Coroner for the County of Devon and Another: Admn 27 May 2005
Judges: Laddie J Citations: [2004] EWHC 347 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Data Protection Act 1998 7 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See Also – Johnson v Medical Defence Union Ltd ChD 9-Nov-2004 The claimant doctor had sought assistance from the defendant, and having been refused it had sought disclosure of its records about him. … Continue reading Johnson v Medical Defence Union Ltd: ChD 20 Feb 2004
LT COMPENSATION – injurious affection – hoardings erected in street during construction works outside shop premises – preliminary issue – whether claim under Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 s 10 valid – held claimant entitled to compensation for any diminution in rental value. Citations: [2003] EWLands LCA – 30 – 2003, [2004] R and VR 145 … Continue reading Ocean Leisure Ltd v Westminster City Council: LT 31 Dec 2003
The claimant had sought to bring proceedings against the respondent, but as a mental patient subject to the 1983 Act, had been obliged by the section first to obtain consent. The parties disputed whether the failure was a procedural or substantial failing and whether it made the proceedings a nullity. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. … Continue reading Seal v Chief Constable of South Wales Police: HL 4 Jul 2007
The court looked at the inference that a statute’s draughtsman could be assumed when using a phrase to rely on a known interpretation of that phrase.Viscount Buckmaster said: ‘It has long been a well established principle to be applied in the consideration of Acts of Parliament that where a word of doubtful meaning has received … Continue reading Barras v Aberdeen Steam Trawling and Fishing Co: HL 17 Mar 1933
The defendants had had confiscation orders made against them. They had appealed on the basis that the orders were made more than six months after sentence. The prosecutor now appealed saying that the fact that the order were not timely did not invalidate them. Held: The appeal was allowed. The confiscation orders made by the … Continue reading Regina v Soneji and Bullen: HL 21 Jul 2005
The Tribunal had given credit for the full amount of incapacity benefit which the employee had received during the notice period. He appealed on the grounds that it ought not to have done so. There was a conflict of authority on the point in the Tribunal. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Burton Citations: [2005] UKEAT … Continue reading Morgans v Alpha Plus Security Ltd: EAT 17 Jan 2005
Tenants occupied land next to land which was to be developed after compulsory acquisition. The tenants and the landlords asserted a right of light over the land, and sought an injunction to prevent the development. The developer denied that any right of light had been acquired. The sky contour diagrams projected that the reductions in … Continue reading Midtown Ltd v City of London Real Property Company Ltd: ChD 20 Jan 2005
The claimant doctor had sought assistance from the defendant, and having been refused it had sought disclosure of its records about him. He had been refused access under the 1998 Act, and now sought access under the Civil Procedure Rules. Held: Though his claim still was for wrongful processing under the 1998 Act, that claim … Continue reading Johnson v Medical Defence Union Ltd: ChD 9 Nov 2004
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
Judges: Laddie J Citations: [2005] EWHC 283 (Ch) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Three Rivers District Council and others v The Governor and Company of the Bank of England ComC 12-Apr-2006 The claimants had pursued compensation over many years from the defendants alleging various kinds of misfeasance in regulating the bank BCCI. … Continue reading IPC Media Ltd v Highbury Leisure Publishing Ltd: ChD 2005
The employee claimed under a bonus clause which ‘contained in a contract of employment in a high earning and competitive activity in which the payment of discretionary bonuses is part of the remuneration structure of employers.’ Held: The damages award wa sreduced. Although the contract did not contain any particular formula or point of reference … Continue reading Cantor Fitzgerald International v Horkulak: CA 14 Oct 2004
The appellant sought to enforce a international arbitration award against the respondent. The award was made under an arrangement which later became unlawful on Romania’s accession to the EU, and Romania obtained s stay pending resolution by the CJEU. Held: The stay was lifted. Judges: Lady Hale, Lord Reed, Lord Hodge, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lord Sales … Continue reading Micula and Others v Romania: SC 19 Feb 2020
In a boundary dispute, the judge had found a boundary, locating it by reference to physical features not mentioned in the unambigous conveyance. Held: The judge had reiterated but not relied upon the statement as to the subjective views of the parties as to the position of the boundary. The plans did not show the … Continue reading Pennock and Another v Hodgson: CA 27 Jul 2010
The EAT considered the Polkey principle: ‘a finding that a dismissal is unfair does not mean that an employee is entitled to full compensation for the loss resulting from the loss of his job. He is only entitled to the loss he has sustained which is attributable to action taken by the employer, so that, … Continue reading Wolesley Centers Ltd v Simmons: EAT 24 May 1993
The EAT considered the effect of the receipt of benefits during a period of sickness when calculating loss of earnings, and whether a hearing was properly conducted without the presence of the parties. Held: There is no procedural irregularity in the Tribunal members holding a meeting in the absence of the parties for the purposes … Continue reading Puglia v C James and Sons: EAT 24 Oct 1995
The claimants had entered into an agreement with the defendant house-builder for the development of a site which the claimants had recently acquired. The structure of the agreement was that the developer would obtain planning permission and, under licence from the owner, would construct a mixed residential and commercial development and sell the properties on … Continue reading Chartbrook Ltd v Persimmon Homes Ltd and Another: ChD 2 Mar 2007
The claimant had been severely injured when hit by a car in Greece. The car’s driver was uninsured. The Court was now asked whether the scope of her claim to damages was to be determined in accordance with English or Greek law. The implementation of the European Regulations with UK law predated the Sixth Directive. … Continue reading Moreno v The Motor Insurers’ Bureau: SC 3 Aug 2016
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
ECJ A beer supply agreement is prohibited by Article 85(1) of the EEC Treaty if two cumulative conditions are met. The first is that, having regard to the economic and legal context of the agreement at issue, it is difficult for competitors who could enter the market or increase their market share to gain access … Continue reading Stergios Delimitis v Henninger Brau AG: ECJ 28 Feb 1991
