The Board sat with ecclesastical assessors to examine whether the religious beliefs of the Bishop of Holborn were Romish. Citations: (1882) 7 PD 94 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Martin v Mackonochie Carc 1866 Whether beliefs of the Bishop of Holborn were ‘Romish’. . . Cited by: Cited – Regina v Secretary … Continue reading Martin v Mackonochie: PC 1882
Canlii (Supreme Court of Canada) Civil rights – Freedom of religion — Definition of freedom of religion — Exercise of religious freedoms — Orthodox Jews setting up succahs in pursuit of their religious beliefs on balconies of their co-owned property — Syndicate of co-owners requesting removal of succahs because declaration of co-ownership prohibits decorations, alterations … Continue reading Syndicat Northcrest v Amselem: 30 Jun 2004
Complaints were made under articles 9, 10 and 11 by persons convicted of reorganising the Fascist Party in Italy. Citations: (1976) 5 DR 83 Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 9 10 11 Cited by: Cited – Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others HL 24-Feb-2005 … Continue reading X v Italy: ECHR 1976
The church of scientology was a commercial organisation, and a restriction on it advertising was a restriction on its commercial freedom, not on the freedom of religion. Citations: (1979) 16 DR 68 Cited by: Cited – Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others HL 24-Feb-2005 The … Continue reading X and Church of Scientology v Sweden: ECHR 1979
(New South Wales – Australia) The defendants were stevedores who had lost two cases of clocks that they had received as sub-bailees of the shipowners, who in turn owed a duty to deliver them to the plaintiffs under the bills of lading. Held: The defendants were liable. They: ‘took upon themselves an obligation to the … Continue reading Gilchrist Watt and Sanderson Pty Ltd v York Products Pty Ltd: PC 1970
The defendant’s coachman had taken out for his own purposes a dog-cart which belonged to the plaintiff and had been lent to the defendant. Held: The defendant was not vicariously liable for the coachman’s actions: ‘If the servant in doing any act breaks the connection of service between himself and his master, the act done … Continue reading Sanderson v Collins: CA 1904
Admissibility decision – state interference in appointment of clergyman. A clergyman was held to have accepted the discipline of his church when he took employment, and his right to leave the church guaranteed his freedom of religion. Citations: 7374/76, (1976) 5 DR 157 Statutes: European Conmvention on Human Rights 9 Cited by: Cited – Regina … Continue reading X v Denmark: ECHR 1976
Quakers objected to the obligation to contribute through general taxation to funds which may then be used by the State for arms procurement. Held: The Convention is directed primarily to the personal sphere of personal belief and worship and does not guarantee the right to behave in the public sphere of society as a whole … Continue reading Hibbs and Birmingham v United Kingdom: ECHR 18 Jul 1996
The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003
Sedley LJ re-articulated the principle adumbrated by Lord Loreburn LC in Board of Education v Rice: ‘ . . that a decision-making body should not see relevant material without giving those affected a chance to comment on it and, if they wish, to controvert it, is fundamental to the principle of law (which governs public … Continue reading Regina v Camden LBC ex parte Paddock: 1992
A local education authority refused to pay salaries to teachers in a non-provided school at the same rate as it paid the teachers in provided schools. The managers of the non-provided school complained, and the Board of Education directed an inquiry, the result of which was a report that the local education authority had failed … Continue reading Board of Education v Rice: HL 6 Apr 1911
The plaintiff argued that the objects of the Secular Society Ltd, which had been registered under the Companies Acts, were unlawful. Held: The House referred to ‘the last persons to go to the stake in this country pro salute animae’ in 1612 or thereabouts. A certificate of incorporation given by the Registrar in respect of … Continue reading Bowman v Secular Society Limited: HL 1917
The court must avoid treating every risky act by an employee due to familiarity with the work or some inattention resulting from noise or strain as contributory negligence: ‘ . . in Factory Act cases the purpose of imposing the absolute obligation is to protect the workmen against those very acts of inattention which are … Continue reading Staveley Iron and Chemical Co Ltd v Jones: HL 1956
Limitation of Loss from Negligent Mis-statement The plaintiffs sought damages from accountants for negligence. They had acquired shares in a target company and, relying upon the published and audited accounts which overstated the company’s earnings, they purchased further shares. Held: The duties of an auditor are founded in contract and the extent of the duties … Continue reading Caparo Industries Plc v Dickman and others: HL 8 Feb 1990
The respondent was employed as a shot firer in a quarry, and was to test the electric wiring connecting explosive charges. Contrary to instructions that testing must be done from a shelter, the respondent and another shot firer carried out a test in the open and they were both injured. Held: The employer’s appeal succeeded. … Continue reading Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd v Shatwell: HL 6 Jul 1964
Fixed-Term Employment – Opinion – Request for a preliminary ruling – Social policy – Fixed-term employment – ETUC-UNICE-CEEP – Framework agreement on fixed-term work – Principle of non-discrimination – Interim civil servants and established civil servants within the meaning of Spanish law – Teachers employed as interim civil servants – Early dismissal at the end … Continue reading Viejobueno Ibanez and De La Vara Gonzalez v Consejeria de Educacion de Castilla La Mancha: ECJ 31 May 2018
Mutual Knowledge admissible to construe contract The parties had entered into a development contract in respect of a site in Wandsworth, under which balancing compensation was to be paid. They disagreed as to its calculation. Persimmon sought rectification to reflect the negotiations. Held: The appeal succeeded. There were difficulties in construing the contract. The contract … Continue reading Chartbrook Ltd v Persimmon Homes Ltd and Others: HL 1 Jul 2009
The claimant sought damages. At the end of the day, a co-employee tried to startle her by pushing an insecure washbasin against her, but caused her actual injury. Held: The plaintiff’s appeal was dismissed. It was an independent act not sufficiently connected with the employment. An employer would be liable for acts actually authorised and … Continue reading Aldred v Nacanco: CA 1987
The company appealed from rejection of its contention that its former employee should be restrained from employment by a competitor under a clause in her former employment contract. The court particularly considered the severability of a section requiring the former employee to take no interest in a competing company. Held: The court should set aside … Continue reading Tillman v Egon Zehnder Ltd: SC 3 Jul 2019
Parliamentary privilege The claimants sought to have admitted as evidence extracts from Hansard in support of their claim for damages arising from historic claims. Held: The court set out the authorities and made orders as to each element. Judges: Stewart J Citations: [2017] EWHC 3379 (QB), [2018] 4 WLR 48 Links: Bailii Statutes: Bill of … Continue reading Kimathi and Others v Foreign and Commonwealth Office: QBD 20 Dec 2017
When considering the vicarious liability of a master for the acts of his servant, no sensible distinction could be drawn between the case of fraud and any other wrong. The general rule was that: ‘the master is answerable for every such wrong of the servant or agent as is committed in the course of the … Continue reading Barwick v English Joint Stock Bank: 1867
Explosive Pellet Use Not Within Employee’s Role. The claimant worked on a site operated by the respondent. One of the respondent’s employees exploded two pellet targets injuring the claimant’s hearing. He asserted vicarious liability in the respondent. There had been tensions between the claimant and the respondent’s own staff. The judge found that the use … Continue reading Chell v Tarmac Cement and Lime Ltd: CA 12 Jan 2022
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. Having agreed this was a taxable emolument, it was argued as to whether the taxable benefit was the cost to the employer, or … Continue reading Pepper (Inspector of Taxes) v Hart: HL 26 Nov 1992
The appellant, a former army officer challenged proceedings against him as to the death of a civilian shot in Northern Ireland in 1974. His trial had been certified for trial by judge alone, and without a jury under section 1 of the 2007 Act. Held: The appeal was dismissed. ‘The fact that a majority verdict … Continue reading Hutchings, Re Application for Judicial Review: SC 6 Jun 2019
The applicant sought assistance from the local authority. He suffered from spinal myeloma, was destitute and an asylum seeker. Held: Although the Act had withdrawn the obligation to provide assistance for many asylum seekers, those who were infirm and whose infirmity was not a consequence of their destitution, had not been excluded. Only able bodied … Continue reading Westminster City Council v National Asylum Support Service: HL 17 Oct 2002
The plaintiffs each complained of negligent decisions in his or her education made by the defendant local authorities. In three of them the Court of Appeal had struck out the plaintiff’s claim and in only one had it been allowed to proceed. Held: The House unanimously dismissed the local authority’s appeal in that last case … Continue reading Phelps v Hillingdon London Borough Council; Anderton v Clwyd County Council; Gower v Bromley London Borough Council; Jarvis v Hampshire County Council: HL 28 Jul 2000
Liability in Damages on Statute Breach to be Clear Damages were to be awarded against a Local Authority for breach of statutory duty in a care case only if the statute was clear that damages were capable of being awarded. in the ordinary case a breach of statutory duty does not, by itself, give rise … Continue reading X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council; M (A Minor) and Another v Newham London Borough Council; Etc: HL 29 Jun 1995
The court was asked whether it was lawful for the Secretary of State to make subordinate legislation imposing a cap on the amount of welfare benefits which can be received by claimants in non-working households, equivalent to the net median earnings of working households. The challenge was under the 1998 Act on the basis that … Continue reading SG and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: SC 18 Mar 2015
The council appealed a finding that there was no genuine material factor justifying a difference in pay, and in particular the availability of bonus schemes. Judges: Wilkie J, Benyon, Smith Citations: [2007] UKEAT 0684 – 05 – 2603 Links: Bailii Statutes: Equal Pay Act 1970 1(2)(b), EU Treaty 141, Equal Pay Directive (75/117/EEC) 1 Jurisdiction: … Continue reading South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council v Anderson and others: EAT 26 Mar 2007
The employer had entrusted the task of organising a safe system of work to an employee as a result of whose negligence another employee was injured. The employer could not have been held liable for its own negligence, since it had taken all reasonable care in entrusting the job to a competent employee, nor could … Continue reading Wilsons and Clyde Coal Co Ltd v English: HL 19 Jul 1937
The local authority applied for a care order in relation to the child, on the ground that there was an urgent and continuing need for medical treatment which included blood transfusions. The court considered the legal effect of a parent’s belief (as Jehovah’s Witesses) that medical treatment by blood transfusion is forbidden by the Bible … Continue reading Re O (A minor) (Medical Treatment): FD 12 Apr 1993
Statutory appeal against the decision of the authorised decision-maker for the Secretary of State for Education to make an indefinite Prohibition Order (with a review period set for three years) prohibiting the appellant from teaching in any school. Andrews DBE J [2016] EWHC 1519 (Admin), [2016] WLR(D) 341 Bailii, WLRD
The claimant had been very badly burned. He was covered in flammable liquid when a co-worker lit a cigarette. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. ‘although the defendant employers did create a risk by requiring their employees to work with thinning agents, it is difficult to say that the creation of that risk was sufficiently closely … Continue reading Graham v Commercial Bodyworks Ltd: CA 5 Feb 2015
The claimants had acted as foster carers for several years, but challenged a potential decision to discontinue that when, as committed Christians, they refused to sign to agree to treat without differentiation any child brought to them who might be homosexual. A declaration was sought as to the legality of the proposed decision. Held: A … Continue reading Johns and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Derby City Council and Another: Admn 28 Feb 2011
Awards made by an industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal are equivalent to pay for equal pay purposes. A system which produced a differential effect between sexes was not indirect discrimination unless the difference in treatment between men and women was substantial. Times 25-Feb-1999, C-167/97, [1999] IRLR 253, [1999] ICR 447, [1999] ECR I-623, [1999] EUECJ … Continue reading Seymour-Smith and Perez; Regina v Secretary of State for Employment, Ex Parte Seymour-Smith and Another: ECJ 9 Feb 1999
In exercising his freedom to manifest his beliefs an individual ‘may need to take his specific situation into account.’ ‘The Commission recalls that the expression ‘in accordance with the law’, within the meaning of Article 9(2), requires first that the impugned measure should have some basis in domestic law; it also refers to the quality … Continue reading Kalac v Turkey: ECHR 1 Jul 1997
Offence must be ;in accordance with law’ The court considered the meaning of the need for an offence to be ‘in accordance with law.’ The applicants did not argue that the expression prescribed by law required legislation in every case, but contended that legislation was required only where the common law rules were so uncertain … Continue reading The Sunday Times (No 1) v The United Kingdom: ECHR 26 Apr 1979
LMA Art.177[Art.234] EC proceedings – Ms Van Colson had applied for a job with the prison service and Ms Harz had applied for a job with a private company Deutsche Tradex GmbH. Both had been rejected. The German court found that they had been rejected on grounds of sex and that the rejection had not … Continue reading von Colson and Kamann v Land Nordrhein-Westfalen: ECJ 10 Apr 1984
The applicant had soft tissue injuries around the spine as a consequence of a back injury at work. He was absent from work for a long time as a result of his injuries, and he was eventually dismissed when his medical advisers could provide no clear idea of when it would be possible for him … Continue reading Clark v TDG Limited (Trading As Novacold): CA 25 Mar 1999
The applicant was a chief inspector of police. She had been prevented from carrying out appraisals of other senior staff, and complained of sex discrimination. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. The tribunal had taken a two stage approach. It had asked first whether there had been less favourable treatment, and then asked why there had … Continue reading Shamoon v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary: HL 27 Feb 2003
Legislation which disallowed claimants who asserted that they had been discriminated against, on the grounds of their religious background, from appealing through the courts system, was a clear breach of their human rights. A limitation will not be compatible with Article 6(1) if it does not pursue a legitimate aim and if there is not … Continue reading Tinnelly and Sons Ltd and Others and McElduff and Others v United Kingdom: ECHR 10 Jul 1998
Europa Directive 79/7 on the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security must be interpreted as meaning that persons in employment which is regarded as minor because it regularly consists of fewer than 15 hours’ work a week and regularly attracts remuneration of up to … Continue reading Inge Nolte v Landesversicherungsanstalt Hannover: ECJ 14 Dec 1995
The defendant sought to resist his extradition under a European Arrest Warrant to Sweden to face charges of sexual assaults. He said that the prosecutor who sought the extradition was not a judicial authority within the Framework Decision. Held: The appeal failed (Lord Mance dissenting). The term ‘judicial authority’ had a range of meanings. Under … Continue reading Assange v The Swedish Prosecution Authority: SC 30 May 2012
The claimant sought damages from her former employers, asserting that workplace bullying and harassment had caused injury to her health. She had had a long term history of depression after being abused as a child, and the evidence was conflicting, but she said that the renewed depression arose after many low level acts of exclusion … Continue reading Helen Green v DB Group Services (UK) Ltd: QBD 1 Aug 2006
The landowner practised from property in Harrow. The former garden had now for many years been used as a forecourt open to the highway, for parking cars of staff and clients. Cars crossed the footpath to gain access, and backing out into the road when leaving. That use was recognised as lawful under planning law. … Continue reading Cusack v London Borough of Harrow: SC 19 Jun 2013
A genuine religious belief which supported the use of corporal punishment in schools was not itself either a manifestation of religious belief which required protection under the convention, or a religious and philosophical conviction for the purposes of the right to education provisions of article 2. A religiously founded belief that corporal punishment should be … Continue reading Regina (Williamson and Others) v Secretary of State for Education and Employment: Admn 15 Nov 2001
ECHR Article 3 Positive obligations Failure by State to put appropriate mechanisms in place to protect National School pupil from sexual abuse by teacher: violation Facts – The applicant alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse by a teacher (LH) in 1973 when she was a pupil in a state-funded National School owned and … Continue reading O’Keeffe v Ireland: ECHR 28 Jan 2014
Appeal against strike out of claims for defamation and malicious falsehood. The defendant had given evidence to the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee of the House of Commons with material highly critical of the claimant, a member of FIFA’s executive. That evidence was protected by parliamentary priviege, but the claimant said that the defendant … Continue reading Makudi v Baron Triesman of Tottenham: CA 26 Feb 2014
(Inner House) Petition for judicial review, the Educational Institute of Scotland challenge the lawfulness of a decision of the Director of Education of Glasgow City Council. The EIS characterise that decision as ‘[introducing] a policy (a) whereby the position of head of a nursery school could be held by individuals without teaching qualifications and who … Continue reading The Educational Institute for Scotland, Re Judicial Review: SCS 29 Jan 2014
The Court considered requests made by European Arrest Warrants for the surrender under Part 1 of the Extradition Act 2003 of three persons wanted to serve sentences imposed upon their conviction in other member states of the European Union. The court was asked whether the requests are open to challenge on the basis that (i) … Continue reading Bucnys v Ministry of Justice: SC 20 Nov 2013
Appeal from convictions for historic abuse: ‘the appeals raise the difficult question of the safety of verdicts which depend upon evidence given by witnesses who were young at the time, vulnerable and purport to give an account of events which may have taken place at least twenty-five years ago. They raise the issue as to … Continue reading Robson and others v Regina: CACD 21 Dec 2006
Crown Court at Blackfriars – the court was asked to what extent a witness wanting, from religious conviction, to hide her face with the niqaab form of Islamic dress should be allowed to do so, whilst giving evidence. Held: The court considered expert evidence as to Islamic belief and custom, and also the Equal Treatment … Continue reading Regina v D(R): Misc 16 Sep 2013
Pearce LJ said that if an employer sends an employee to work, ‘for instance in a respectable private house’, he could not be held negligent for not visiting the house himself ‘to see if the carpet in the hall created a trap’. Jenkins, Pearce, Parker LJJ [1958] EWCA Civ 2, [1958] 2 WLR 900, [1958] … Continue reading Wilson v Tyneside Window Cleaning Co: CA 24 Apr 1958
Judiciary must Interpret, not Remedy the Law The House emphasised the need for courts to be even handed in interpreting statutes dealing with industrial relations. Where the words of the statute are plain and unambiguous, the Court ought to give effect to that plain meaning.Lord Diplock said: ‘My Lords, at a time when more and … Continue reading Duport Steels Ltd v Sirs: HL 3 Jan 1980
The claimant suffered a condition which would lead to the development of vocal nodules unless she followed a program which would allow her to avoid raising her voice. She said that employer should not have placed her within a noisy environment. The employer appealed against a decision that she suffered a disability saying that she … Continue reading SCA Packaging Ltd v Boyle (Northern Ireland): HL 1 Jul 2009
Discrimination – History of interactions relevant When a tribunal considered whether the motive for an act was discriminatory, it should look not just at the act, but should make allowance for earlier acts which might throw more light on the act in question. The Tribunal should assess the totality of the evidence on any material … Continue reading Dr Anya v University of Oxford and Another: CA 22 Mar 2001
The company had undertaken substantial building works and sought associated tax relief. The court was asked whether, following a change in the company’s memorandum and articles of association, the company, a registered social landlord, remained a charitable organisation. The articles allowed some tenants to become members of the company, and would allow pursuance of objects … Continue reading Helena Partnerships Ltd v HM Revenue and Customs: CA 9 May 2012
The court was asked by the parties to a charterparty whether one of them is an ‘Affiliate’ of the charterer for the purposes of provisions in a charterparty by which both the owner and the charterer agreed to indemnify and hold each other harmless (including in the case of the charterer its ‘Affiliates’) in relation … Continue reading Farstad Supply As v Enviroco Ltd: SC 6 Apr 2011
The claimants sought a declaration that the restriction on the infliction of corporal punishment in schools infringed their human right of freedom of religion. The schools concerned were Christian schools who believed that moderate corporal discipline was required in order to give expression to their religious beliefs. The respondent argued that the beliefs asserted, whilst … Continue reading Regina (Williamson and Others) v Secretary of State for Education and Employment: CA 12 Dec 2002
The claimant challenged fines imposed on him after three illegal immigrants were found to have hidden in his lorry in the immigration control zone at Dunkirk. The 1999 At was to have been amended by the 2002 Act, and the implementation was by the 2002 Order. That Order was now said to be ineffective. Held: … Continue reading Bogdanic v The Secretary of State for The Home Department: QBD 29 Aug 2014
The claimant had been injured in a swimming pool during a lesson. The lesson was conducted by outside independent contractors. The claimant appealed against a finding that his argument that they had a non-delegable duty of care was bound to fail. Held: The claimant’s appeal was dismissed (Laws LJ dissenting). Tominson LJ said: ‘I do … Continue reading Woodland v Essex County Council: CA 9 Mar 2012
The claimant was injured by an unlawful punch thrown by the first defendant when they played rugby. He sought damages also against the defendant’s club, and now appealed from a finding that they were not vicariously liable. The defendant player’s contract required him not to engage in such behaviour. Held: The appeal was allowed. The … Continue reading Gravil v Carroll and Another: CA 18 Jun 2008
Mrs Lloyd delivered the title deeds of her cottages at Ellesmere Port to the solicitors’ managing clerk, who defrauded her. Held: Vicarious liability can extend to fraudulent acts or omissions if those were carried out in the course of the employment or within the scope of the apparent authority, albeit by an employee or a … Continue reading Lloyd v Grace, Smith and Co: HL 1912
The plaintiff church sued the defendant, a Member of Parliament, for remarks made by the defendant in a television programme. He pleaded fair comment and the plaintiff replied with a plea of malice, relying on statements made in Parliament. The question arose at trial whether such reliance infringed Article 9. Held: It did. The plaintiff … Continue reading Church of Scientology of California v Johnson-Smith: QBD 1971
(First Division, Inner House) The reclaimer challenged dismissal of her claim for review of the recent decision for the prorogation of the Parliament at Westminster. Held: Reclaim was granted. The absence of reasons allowed the court to infer that the reason for the prorogation was unlawful.‘It was the role of the courts to protect Parliament. … Continue reading Cherry, Reclaiming Motion By Joanna Cherry QC MP and Others v The Advocate General: SCS 11 Sep 2019
Right to Life Did Not include Right to Death The applicant was paralysed and suffered a degenerative condition. She wanted her husband to be allowed to assist her suicide by accompanying her to Switzerland. English law would not excuse such behaviour. She argued that the right to die is not the antithesis of the right … Continue reading Pretty v The United Kingdom: ECHR 29 Apr 2002
The claimant received injuries when arrested. He was later convicted of resisting arrest. The defendant relied on section 329 of the 2003 Act. The claimant said that the force used against him was grossly disproportionate. The commissioner appealed against a refusal to strike out the claim, saying that consent to the action should have been … Continue reading Adorian v The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis: CA 23 Jan 2009
The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who said that the blanket ban on corporal punishment interfered with their religious freedom. They saw moderate physical discipline as an essential part of educating children in a Christian manner. Held: The appeal was dismissed. For Article 9 to be engaged (aside from certain other threshold conditions) the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005
A ship belonging to the appellants had been blacked by the defendant union. Negotiations to clear the threat resulted in payment by the appellants to a welfare fund of the defendant. The company sought its refund saying that it had been paid under duress. The Court of Appeal had found it to be a payment … Continue reading Universe Tankships Inc of Monrovia v International Transport Workers Federation: HL 1 Apr 1981
Each claimant sought damages for a criminal assault for which the defendant was said to be responsible. Each claim was to be out of the six year limitation period. In the first claim, the proposed defendant had since won a substantial sum from the National Lottery. They complained that the Limitation Act gave the court … Continue reading A v Hoare; H v Suffolk County Council, Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs intervening; X and Y v London Borough of Wandsworth: CA 12 Apr 2006
The defendant was convicted for proselytism contrary to Greek law. He claimed a breach of Article 9. Held: To say that Jehovah’s Witness were proselytising criminally was excessive. Punishment for proselytising was unlawful in the circumstances of this case: ‘Bearing witness in words and deeds is bound up with the existence of religious convictions’ and … Continue reading Kokkinakis v Greece: ECHR 25 May 1993
chesteron_nurmohamedEAT201504 EAT VICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION Whistleblowing Protected disclosure This appeal concerns the meaning of the words ‘in the public interest’ inserted into section 43B(1) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 by section17 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. The Respondent was Director of the Mayfair office of the First Appellant, a well-known firm of … Continue reading Chesterton Global Ltd (t/a Chestertons) and Another v Nurmohamed (Victimisation Discrimination: Whistleblowing): EAT 8 Apr 2015
Age UK challenged the implementation by the UK of the Directive insofar as it established a default retirement age (DRA) at 65. Held: The claim failed. The decision to adopt a DRA was not a disproportionate way of giving effect to the social aim of labour market confidence. The use of a designated retirement age … Continue reading Age UK, Regina (On the Application of) v Attorney General: Admn 25 Sep 2009
A company’s ban on the provision of travel perks to same sex partners of employees did not constitute breach of European sex discrimination law. An employer’s policy was not necessarily to be incorporated into the contract of employment. The court said that since the rule applied equally to male and female employees it was not … Continue reading Grant v South West Trains Ltd: ECJ 17 Feb 1998
The claimant appealed against rejection of his claim for damages after alleging sexual abuse by a catholic priest. The judge had found the church not vicariously liable for the injuries, and that the archdiocese had not been under a duty further to pursue the investigation of the reports received by them at the time. The … Continue reading Maga v The Trustees of The Birmingham Archdiocese of The Roman Catholic Church: CA 16 Mar 2010
Interpretation of Exclusion Clauses The plaintiffs had contracted with the defendants for the provision of a night patrol service for their factory. The perils the parties had in mind were fire and theft. A patrol man deliberately lit a fire which burned down the factory. It was an unresolved issue whether the employee intended to … Continue reading Photo Production Ltd v Securicor Transport Ltd: HL 14 Feb 1980
The defendants had been members of the Houses of Commons and of Lords. They faced charges of dishonesty in respect of their expenses claims. They now appealed a finding that they were not subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Parliament under parliamentary privilege, and could therefore be prosecuted iin the normal criminal courts. Held: The … Continue reading Chaytor and Others, Regina v: CACD 30 Jul 2010
(Jamaica) The deceased claimant had been shot by a sentry employed by the respondent company. His estate appealed a finding that the sentry was not acting in the course of his employment. Held: Older authorities had now been replaced by recent decisions of the House of Lords and Privy Council. The essential test remains that … Continue reading Brown v Robinson and Sentry: PC 14 Dec 2004
The defendants faced trial on charges of false accounting in connection in different ways with their expenses claims whilst serving as members of the House of Commons. They appealed against rejection of their assertion that the court had no jurisdiction to try them because of parliamentary privilege. Held: The appeals were dismissed. Neither Article 9 … Continue reading Chaytor and Others, Regina v: SC 1 Dec 2010
The appellants owned a guesthouse. They appealed from being found in breach of the Regulations. They had declined to honour a booking by the respondents of a room upon learning that they were a homosexual couple. The appellants had said that they were practising Christians and viewed the guest house as their home, and that … Continue reading Bull and Bull v Hall and Preddy: CA 10 Feb 2012
The claimant sought equal pay with other, male, warehouse operatives who were doing work of equal value but for more money. The Court of Appeal had held that since other men were also employed on the same terms both as to pay and work, her claim failed. Held: The claim was not disbarred in this … Continue reading Pickstone v Freemans Plc: HL 30 Jun 1988
Air System plant excluded from Rating value The court was asked whether the services provided by a specialised air handling system, used in connection with refrigerated merchandise in the appellant’s retail store, are ‘manufacturing operations or trade processes’ for rating purposes. Held: Iceland’s appeal was allowed and the decision of the First Tier Tribunal restored. … Continue reading Iceland Foods Ltd v Berry (Valuation Officer): SC 7 Mar 2018
PC (The British Virgin Islands) A police officer had taken the police revolver, and used it to shoot the claimant. It was alleged that the respondent police force were vicariously liable for his acts and also negligent in failing to dismiss the officer for earlier misbehaviour. Held: The officer’s activities once off duty and having … Continue reading The Attorney General v Hartwell: PC 23 Feb 2004
The Home Office can be liable for the actions of prison officers which amounted to an official misfeasance. The principles of vicarious liability apply as much to misfeasance in public office as to other torts involving malice, knowledge or intention. Lord Jauncey said: ‘My Lords, in my view, striking out paragraph 6 of this claim … Continue reading Racz v Home Office: HL 17 Dec 1993
(Southwark Crown Court) The defendants faced charges of false accounting in connection with expense claims as members of parliament, three of the House of Commons and one of the Lords. Each claimed that the matter was covered by Parliamentary Privilege and that a civil court had no jurisdiction to try them. Held: The claims to … Continue reading Regina v Morley; Regina v Chaytor; Regina v Devine; Regina v Lord Hanningfield: CC 11 Jun 2010
The appellant had occupied for a long time a room in a house let by the authority. After the death of the tenant, the appellant sought, but was refused, a statutory tenancy. He claimed to be a member of the tenant’s family, and that the list of family relationships in section 113 was not exhaustive. … Continue reading Michalak v London Borough of Wandsworth: CA 6 Mar 2002
The twelve applicants had been unfairly dismissed by the transferor immediately before the transfer, and for a reason connected with the transfer under section 8(1). The question was whether the liability for unfair dismissal compensation transferred to the transferee. Held: It is the duty of a UK court to construe a statute, so far as … Continue reading Litster and Others v Forth Dry Dock and Engineering Co Ltd: HL 16 Mar 1989
Employer can be liable for Managers Harassment The claimant employee sought damages, saying that he had been bullied by his manager and that bullying amounting to harassment under the 1997 Act. The employer now appealed a finding that it was responsible for a tort committed by a manager, saying that the intention of the Act … Continue reading Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust: HL 12 Jul 2006
Contrary to his employers orders, a milkman allowed children to assist him in his milkround. One was injured, and sued the milkman’s employer. Held: The milkman had not gone so far outside the activities for which he was employed for the employer to escape liability. Lord Scarman said: ‘In words which have frequently been quoted … Continue reading Rose v Plenty: CA 7 Jul 1975
The 1995 Regulations imposed a levy on fish both caught and first landed in the UK and also on imported fish products. The claimants, importers challenged the validity of the latter charges, saying that they went beyond the power given by the 1981 Act, and also were contrary to EU law. Held: The appeal succeeded. … Continue reading Bloomsbury International Ltd v Sea Fish Industry Authority and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: SC 15 Jun 2011
The defendant appealed his conviction for possession of a bladed article in a public place. It was a pocket knife which locked open, but its blade could be retracted on using the mechanism, and did not exceed three inches. Held: The Court looked at the parliamentary background to the section. It was clear that various … Continue reading Regina v Deegan: CACD 4 Feb 1998
The appellants said that the 2004 Act infringed their rights under articles 8 11 and 14 and Art 1 of protocol 1. Held: Article 8 protected the right to private and family life. Its purpose was to protect individuals from unjustified intrusion by state agents into the private sphere within which they expected to be … Continue reading Countryside Alliance and others, Regina (on the Application of) v Attorney General and Another: HL 28 Nov 2007
The claimants challenged the selection by the defendant of victims of meselothemia as a group were excluded from entitlement to the recovery of success fees and insurance premiums paid by successful claimants from unsuccessful defendants. Held: The claim succeeded. The basis of the decision to exclude such claims was quite inadequate as a consultation: ‘The … Continue reading Whitston (Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK), Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: Admn 2 Oct 2014
The Office appealed against decisions ordering it to release information about the gateway reviews for the proposed identity card system, claiming a qualified exemption from disclosure under the 2000 Act. Held: The decision was set aside for breaching the rule against impugning an action of Parliament. The minister had made a statement as to the … Continue reading Office of Government Commerce v Information Commissioner and Another: Admn 11 Apr 2008
The applicant’s property was charged to the defendant. At the time it was not occupied. The mortgage fell into arrears, and after serving notice at the property, the bank took posssession and sold the property at auction. The claimants said the bank should have taken possession only after court proceedings. Held: A lender taking possession … Continue reading Ropaigealach v Barclays Bank plc: CA 6 Jan 1999
EAT Transfer of Undertakings : Consultation and Other Information – The claimant teachers succeeded at a preliminary hearing before an Employment Judge in contending that the establishment at which they worked (for the purposes of s.188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 was the Education and Leisure Service of Renfrewshire Council. … Continue reading Renfrewshire Council v The Educational Institute of Scotland: EAT 4 Oct 2012
A nightclub employed an unlicensed bouncer/doorman. After an altercation in and outside the club, he went home, and returned armed and seriously assaulted the customer. Held: The club had vicarious liability for his acts. There was a sufficient connection as to the time location and nature of his acts to create liability. [2003] EWCA Civ … Continue reading Mattis v Pollock (T/A Flamingo’s Nightclub): CA 1 Jul 2003
Parties appealed against judgments dismissing their claims of vicarious liability as against their employers after assaults by co-employees. Held: Appeals were dismissed and allowed according to their facts. In one case, one employee made a call out of hours to another employee (Mr Marsh) requesting him to do a voluntary shift to replace a sick … Continue reading Weddall v Barchester Healthcare Ltd: CA 24 Jan 2012
Although instructors in special schools, carried out work of a broadly similar nature to qualified teachers, and the majority were women, they were not entitled to an equality of pay clause, since there was no evidence of sex discrimination, and the employers were not required under the section to establish a good reason for the … Continue reading Glasgow City Council and Others v Marshall and Others: HL 8 Feb 2000
The taxpayer insurance company had transferred sums from accounts designated as Capital Reserves. The Revenue said that these were properly part of the profit and loss accounts for the respective tax years, and chargeable receipts. Held: The Revenue’s cross appeal succeeded. As a life assurance company, the amounts to be taken into account in computing … Continue reading Scottish Widows Plc v Revenue and Customs: SC 6 Jul 2011
