A tortious conspiracy was alleged in the conduct of a civil action. The plaintiff appealed against rejection of his claim. Held: The appeal failed as an attempt to circumvent the immunity of a wirness in defamation by framing a claim in conspiracy. Sellers LJ considered whether a complaint was privileged: ‘Whatever form of action is … Continue reading Marrinan v Vibert: CA 2 Jan 1963
The claimant sought damages for the loss of goods in transit under the care of the defendant. Andrew Smith J held as regards the burden of proof in an allegation of wilful misconduct: ‘I should add that I was properly reminded by counsel that the principle set out in such cases and as in Re … Continue reading Datec Electronic Holdings Ltd and Another v United Parcels Service Ltd and Another: ComC 22 Feb 2005
The claimant sought an order to prevent the defendant company from pursuing further an appeal against a decision made by an independent arbitator in their favour as regards the conduct of the defendant in the Premier League in 2006/2007. Held: The defendant had agreed to a binding arbitration. The claimant was enttled to the injunctive … Continue reading Sheffield United Football Club Ltd v West Ham United Football Club Plc: ComC 26 Nov 2008
The jockey claimant challenged disciplinary proceedings brought against him by the defendant authority. Held: The findings were upheld in part but remitted for consideration of giving the claimant opportunity to challenge certain evidence. Citations: [2010] EWHC 508 (QB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Nagle v Fielden CA 1966 The applicant, a … Continue reading McKeown v British Horseracing Authority: QBD 12 Mar 2010
The claimants were shareholders in Westrip, accusing the Defendant directors of deliberately engaging in a course of conduct which has led to Westrip losing ownership and control of a very valuable mining licence and which, but for their intervention, would have led to Westrip losing all or almost all of its remaining assets. They say … Continue reading Iesini and Others v Westrip Holdings Ltd and Others: ChD 16 Oct 2009
The claimant sought damages, alleging that the defendant patent agents had failed to make a timely application for a Canadian patent. Held: The evidence was conflicting, but the court found that the claimant had made a decision to limit his applications to certain jurisdictions, not including Canada. The claim failed. Judges: Proudman J Citations: [2010] … Continue reading Kerr v Laurence Shaw and Associates Ltd (T/A Laurence Shaw and Associates (In Liquidation)): ChD 19 Mar 2010
The defendants wanted to defend their patent against a possible infringement. There were negotiations, following which the defendants wrote claiming damages or licence fees. The claimant asserted that the letter constituted a threat. The defendant argued justification. Held: The court has to determine in all the circumstances not only whether a threat was made but … Continue reading Cintec International Ltd v John Humphries Parkes (T/A Dell Explosives) and Another: ChD 2 Oct 2003
The appellant’s application for full registration as a qualified medical practitioner had been refused by the GMC after a five-year maximum period of limited registration. His application for full registration in accordance with section 25 of the Medical Act 1983 was refused by the GMC. He then applied to the Review Board for Overseas Qualified … Continue reading Khan v General Medical Council: CA 11 Apr 1994
Three MPs had sued in defamation after the defendant had wrongly accused them of knowing of the sexual exploitation of children in Rotherham without doing anything about it. Liability now being established, the court set out to assess the damages payable under an offer of amends. Held: The court set starting points of pounds 10,000 … Continue reading Barron and Others v Collins: QBD 6 Feb 2017
The claimant alleged that the defendant, the chief executive of the Law Society had slandered him in a conversation with another senior lawyer. The claimant now sought summary judgment against the claimant, saying that the defence had no realistic prospect of success. Held: The claim was dismissed as an abuse. Whilst the alleged libel was … Continue reading Kordowski v Hudson: QBD 21 Oct 2011
The defendant sought clarification through the court as to the meanings inherent in the words complained of. Held: The application failed. ‘I do not consider the ordinary reasonable reader would be perverse to conclude that the suspicions arguably raised in the headlines are not dispelled by the text of the article itself; and I have … Continue reading Caplin v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 20 Jun 2011
The defendant sought to strike out a claim in defamation. Acting on behalf of his client the solicitor defendant was said to have called a journalist and defamed the claimant. The words were denied. Held: Assuming (which was denied) that the allegations made by the claimant were true as to what had happened, the claimant … Continue reading Khader v Aziz and Another: QBD 31 Jul 2009
Orders were sought to strike out part of the defendants defence of justification to an allegation of defamation. Held: Where there remains the possibility of a jury trial, it becomes especially important to identify the issues the jurors are to resolve and the facts they are invited to find. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2009] EWHC … Continue reading Prince Radu of Hohenzollern v Houston and Another (No 4): QBD 4 Mar 2009
The court explained why evidence of particular acts of misconduct on the part of the Plaintiff tending to show his character and disposition should be excluded, saying ‘Both principle and authority seems equally against its admission. It would give rise to interminable issues which would have but a very remote bearing on the question in … Continue reading Scott v Sampson: QBD 1882
The officer had been injured in an accident in a police van. He developed multiple sclerosis only a short time afterwards. The respondent denied that the accident caused the MS. Held: There is no proof of what causes MS, but it was common ground that trauma never causes the disease. The question was whether trauma … Continue reading Dingley v Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police: HL 11 May 2000
This appeal concerns the directly effective right of police officers under EU law to have the principle of equal treatment applied to them. The question raised is whether the enforcement of that right by means of proceedings in the Employment Tribunal is barred by the principle of judicial immunity, where the allegedly discriminatory conduct is … Continue reading P v Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 25 Oct 2017
Canlii (Supreme Court of Canada) Torts – Liability – Intentional torts – Abuse of children by foster parents – Whether government can be held liable for harm children suffered in foster care – Whether government negligent – Whether government vicariously liable for torts of foster parents – Whether government liable for breach of non-delegable duty … Continue reading KLB v British Columbia: 2 Oct 2003
The claimant alleged trade mark infringement by the respondents by the use of a mark in a pop-up advert. Held: The own-name defence to trade mark infringement is limited. Some confusion may be allowed if overall the competition was not unfair in all the circumstances. No confusion was intended; they wanted only to associate their … Continue reading Reed Executive Plc, Reed Solutions Plc v Reed Business Information Ltd, Reed Elsevier (Uk) Ltd, Totaljobs Com Ltd: CA 3 Mar 2004
The claimant sought damages saying that he had been abused as a child whilst in the defendant’s care. The defendants appealed a finding that the claimant had not first known of his injury more than three years before begining his action. Held: The same word ‘reasonable’ in sections 14(2) and 14(3) of the 1980 Act … Continue reading Catholic Care (Diocese of Leeds) and Another v Young: CA 14 Nov 2006
The claimant alleged that she had been discrimated against in her work for the appellant, a member of the diplomatic staff at the Saudi Embassy in London. She now appealed against a decision that the respondent had diplomatic immunity. Held: The appeal was allowed: ‘the question whether the exception in article 31(1)(c) would have applied … Continue reading Reyes v Al-Malki and Another: SC 18 Oct 2017
The court considered the compatibility with EU law of regulations 21 and 24 of the 2006 Regulations, and the legality at common law of the appellant’s administrative detention from 3 April until 6 June 2012 and of bail restrictions thereafter until 2 January 2013. The regulations were designed to give effect to the Citizens Directive … Continue reading Nouazli, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 20 Apr 2016
The police had arrested three peaceful but vociferous preachers when some members of a crowd gathered round them threatened hostility. Held: Freedom of speech means nothing unless it includes the freedom to be irritating, contentious, eccentric, heretical, unwelcome and provocative provided it did not tend to provoke violence. There was no reasonable inference available in … Continue reading Redmond-Bate v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 23 Jul 1999
The applicant had dual Iraqi and British nationality. He was detained by British Forces in Iraq under suspicion of terrorism, and interned. Held: His appeal failed. The UN resolution took priority over the European Convention on Human Rights where there was a conflict between them. ‘If the Security Council, acting under Chapter VII, consider that … Continue reading Al-Jedda v Secretary of State for Defence: CA 29 Mar 2006
The claimant challenged an arbitration award made concerning the agreement under which the defendant had been admitted to partnership. MWP contended that the Tribunal were guilty of a large number of serious irregularities in their conduct of the reference and of making numerous errors of law, in respect of each of which they were obviously … Continue reading Michael Wilson and Partners Ltd v Emmott: ComC 8 Jun 2011
The claimants appealed against dismissal of their claim for damages under the 1998 Act. The house had been searched under warrant. They said that the constable obtaining the warrant had acted on information he knew or ought to have known was false. The officer had acted on the basis of information provided through Crimestoppers, but … Continue reading Williams v Dyfed and Powys Police: CA 22 Nov 2010
The claimant sought damages for the negligent drafting of a deed of trust, saying that he had not been advised of a charge to tax which would arise. The defendant said that her duties were limited, and did not include advice on this point, having been asked to arrange a deed for a smaller sum … Continue reading Phelps v Stewarts (A Firm) and Another: ChD 2 Jul 2007
The claimant said that the respondent had awarded a contract for works at the House of Commons disregarding its obligations under European law as regards open tendering. Citations: [1999] EWHC Technology 199, 1996 ORB No 1151, (1999) 67 Con LR 1 Links: Bailii Statutes: Public Works Contracts Regulations 1991 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited … Continue reading Harmon CFEM Facades (UK) Limited v The Corporate Officer of The House of Commons: TCC 28 Oct 1999
The clamants brought actions for damages for torts said to have been committed by the defendants in Russia. They said that the defendant was domiciled within the jurisdiction under the EU Regulation. Held: Domicile for the issue of jurisdiction is now governed by the 1982 Act. It would not be realistic to describe the defendant … Continue reading High Tech International Ag and others v Deripaska: QBD 20 Dec 2006
The plaintiff appealed a finding that she had sufficient knowledge of her possible claim for medical negligence against the defendants, and that she was out of time. She had known of her condition, but said she had no sufficient reason to see that it might have arisen from the negligence now found. Held: The court … Continue reading Smith v Leicestershire Health Authority: CA 29 Jan 1998
The department complained that the defendants had entered into a transaction with their farm at an undervalue so as to defeat its claim for recovery of sums due. The transaction used the grant of a tenancy by the first chargee. Held: The farmers’ appeal as to the farm transaction failed: ‘beyond argument that DEFRA was … Continue reading Feakins and Another v Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Civ 1513): CA 9 Dec 2005
The claimant appealed refusal to award damages after an alleged failure to give a proper reference, saying that the decision in Fadipe could not stand with the later decision in Rhys-Harper. She said that she had suffered victimisation after making a protected disclosure, but after having left the company. The company said that the Act … Continue reading Woodward v Abbey National Plc: CA 22 Jun 2006
The pursuers contracted to remove coal by opencast mining from the defender’s land. They said the contract assumed the removal first of substantial peat depositys from the surface by a third party. They had to do that themselves at substantial cost. They said the defenders should have issued a variation to allow them to claim … Continue reading AMEC Mining v Scottish Coal Company: SCS 6 Aug 2003
The claimant sought damages for defamation. The defendant through their company had accused him acting in such a way as to allow a conflict of interest to arise. They said that he had been invited to act on a proposed purchase but had used the information to put in a higher offer himself. The claimant … Continue reading Ratiu, Karmel, Regent House Properties Ltd v Conway: CA 22 Nov 2005
The claimant sought an order to prevent the defendant, a former employee, from misusing its confidential information said to be held by her. Her contract contained no post employment restrictions but did seek to control confidential and other information. She had obtained employment with a customer of the claimant, and was said to carry out … Continue reading Caterpillar Logistics Services (UK) Ltd v Huesca De Crean: QBD 2 Dec 2011
The claimant had applied to the Child Support Agncy for maintenance. They failed utterly to obtain payment, and she complained now that she was denied the opportunity by the 1991 Act to take court proceedings herself. Held: The denial of access to the courts under section 8 did not engage her civil rights. The Act … Continue reading Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v Kehoe: CA 5 Mar 2004
Grand Chamber – The first applicant said he had been injured by a shot fired by a British soldier who had been carried for two miles into the Republic of Ireland, clinging to the applicant’s vehicle following an incident at a checkpoint. Held: Rules granting the State immunities, did not infringe the applicants’ right to … Continue reading McElhinney v Ireland; Al-Adsani v United Kingdom; Fogarty v United Kingdom: ECHR 21 Nov 2001
The government of Spain had issued an arrest warrant and application for extradition in respect of Pinochet Ugarte for his alleged crimes whilst president of Chile. He was arrested in England. He pleaded that he had immunity from prosecution. Held: A head of state’s immunity from prosecution extends only to official acts performed in exercise … Continue reading Regina v Bartle and The Commissioner Of Police For The Metropolis and Others Ex Parte Pinochet Ugarte, Regina v Evans and Another and The Commissioner of Police For The Metropolis and Others (No 1): HL 22 Nov 1998
The respondents to the arbitration admitted breaches of contracts that raised some issue as to the amount of damages payable. The arbitrators made an award on the basis that the admission of liability was not justified. Held: It was a clear case, and only necessary for Mr Justice Colman to state the central principle of … Continue reading Pacol Ltd v Joint Stock Co Rossakhar: 2000
The claimant had undergone heart surgery as an infant in 1976, and claimed damages for professional negligence. The procedure involved a dangerous procedure, a resection of coarctation. As a consequence, the Claimant suffered a number of problems associated with neurological deficit and partial paraplegia. Held: As to limitation, the knowledge required to satisfy s.14(1)(b) is … Continue reading Mirza v Birmingham Health Authority: QBD 31 Jul 2001
The Act required the occupier of a licensed racetrack to take all steps necessary to secure that, so long as a totalisator was being lawfully operated on the track, there was available for bookmakers space on the track where they could conveniently carry on bookmaking in connection with dog races run on the track on … Continue reading Cutler v Wandsworth Stadium Ltd: HL 1949
The claimants had installed glass tiles in a roof. They fractured, and facing a claim for damages, they sought payment from their insurers. The claimants argued that the risk of fracture meant that the damage occurred upon installation, the insurers contended that liability arose only as tiles broke. Held: To construe the insuring clause as … Continue reading Pilkington United Kingdom Limited v CGU Insurance Plc: QBD 28 Jan 2004
Legal expenses incurred by a professional in defending disciplinary proceedings are deductible from taxable profits. Citations: Times 12-May-1997, [1997] EWCA Civ 1627 Statutes: Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 130(a) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal From – McKnight (Inspector of Taxes) v Sheppard; Sheppard v McKnight ChD 21-May-1996 Legal costs and fines not deductible … Continue reading David McKnight (Inspector of Taxes) v Sheppard: CA 7 May 1997
(Madras) ‘Nor can they [the dealers] modify the resulting damages on the footing that though in the absence of misrepresentation the plaintiff firm [the finance company] would not have made the contract with the defendants [the dealers] or with the hirer which it did in fact make, nevertheless even if it had known the facts … Continue reading The United Motor Finance Company v Messrs Addison and Company Limited: PC 10 Dec 1936
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissal CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT – Wrongful dismissalEmployment Tribunal found Claimant guilty of serious misconduct for which dismissal fell within the range of reasonable responses; but that it did not amount to gross misconduct therefore the dismissal was unfair. Applying s98(4) Employment Rights Act 1996, finding of unfair dismissal was … Continue reading Weston Recovery Services v Fisher: EAT 7 Oct 2010
The defendant appealed against his conviction for assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty under section 89. He had argued that he had no case to answer. The officers had received an emergency call to the house, but the female caller had told them then not to come. On arrival, the defendant … Continue reading Blench v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 5 Nov 2004
The court decided the issue of what meaning the words complained of would have been understood to bear. The ordinary reader of an article may well not think in legalistic terms such as ‘strong grounds to suspect’ or ‘reasonable grounds to suspect’ when articulating his or her impression of the meaning conveyed by the words. … Continue reading Charman v Orion Publishing Group Ltd and others: QBD 14 Oct 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
A negligent survey had been provided to prospective purchasers of a house. It would have cost andpound;7,000 to put the property into the condition in which it had been described in the report. Held: The correct measure of damages was not andpound;7,000 but andpound;4,000. The latter figure represented the difference between the value of the … Continue reading Phillips v Ward: CA 1956
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Preliminary issues Employer entitled to counterclaim under Article 4 Employment Tribunals (Extension of Jurisdiction) England and Wales Order 1994 when a bankrupt Claimant makes a claim for damages under s3(2) Employment Act 1996 whether or not claim is a nullity because Claimant has not obtained permission of the official receiver … Continue reading Simpson v Wm A Merrick (Formerly T/A W A Merrick and Co Solicitors): EAT 7 May 2010
Application to fix compensation for defamation. Citations: [2005] EWHC 893 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Defamation Act 1996 3(5) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Defamation, Damages Updated: 20 August 2022; Ref: scu.224851
Judges: The Vice-Chancellor, Rix LJ, Jonathan Parker LJ Citations: [2002] EWCA Civ 1007, [2003] FSR 19 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Blayney (T/A Aardvark Jewelry) v Clogau St David’s Gold Mines Ltd and others ChD 20-Jul-2001 The court undertook an enquiry as to damages: ‘(1) Damages were to be assessed … Continue reading Blayney (T/A Aardvark Jewelry) v Clogau St David’s Gold Mines Ltd and others: CA 16 Jul 2002
The various insured defendants had been driven in the insured vehicles by a non-insured driver. Suffering injury at the negligence of the driver, they recovered variously damages. Their insurance companies sought recovery of the sums paid from their respective insureds under the policy terms, section 151 and under European law. Appeals and cross appeals were … Continue reading Churchill Insurance Company Ltd v Wilkinson and Others: CA 19 May 2010
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL: Compensation The Employment Tribunal found the Respondent unfairly dismissed the Claimant for raising a question about her statutory rights. She had been employed for 10 weeks and was entitled to one month’s notice. It awarded compensation effectively of 7 weeks’ pay. It found she would have been dismissed within that time in … Continue reading Ward v Ashkenazi: EAT 22 Mar 2010
The court was asked: ‘Was it unlawful for the Secretary of State for Health, the respondent, who had power to make provisions for the functioning of the National Health Service in England, to have failed to make a provision which would have enabled women who were citizens of the UK, but who were usually resident … Continue reading A and B, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: SC 14 Jun 2017
The claimant was awarded damages from his employers, who claimed that the benefits received by the claimant from an insurance policy to which the defendants had contributed should be set off against the claim. Held: McCamley was no longer good law as it applied to insurance policies where the employer had paid the premiums. There … Continue reading Pirelli General Plc and others v Gaca: CA 26 Mar 2004
The parties had settled their disagreement, but now disputed the interpretation of the settlement. The defendant sought to be allowed to give in evidence correspondence leading up to the settlement which had been conducted on a without prejudice basis. Held: The evidence was not admissible. There was no additional class of situation where without prejudice … Continue reading Oceanbulk Shipping and Trading Sa v TMT Asia Ltd: CA 15 Feb 2010
A prior art recital in a Patent application is strong but rebuttable evidence of the state of knowledge. Judges: Jacob J Citations: Ind Summary 30-Jan-1995, [1995] RPC 383 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal From – Gerber Garment Technology Inc v Lectra Systems Limited Lectra Systemes SA CA 18-Dec-1996 The plaintiffs claimed damages for … Continue reading Gerber Garment Technology Inc v Lectra Systems Ltd: ChD 30 Jan 1995
The deceased had died in an accident whilst filming in Spain for the defendants. The plaintiff personal representatives sought damages here, while the defendants denied that the court had jurisdiction under the 1968 Convention, and said that the death actually occurred as a consequence of the negligence of his medical treatment in Spain. Judges: Phillips … Continue reading Kinnear and Others v Falconfilms Nv and Others: QBD 27 Jan 1994
A school board employed staff to manage a residential school for vulnerable children. The staff committed sexual abuse of the children. The school denied vicarious liability for the acts of the teachers. Held: ‘Vicarious liability is legal responsibility imposed on an employer, although he is himself free from blame, for a tort committed by his … Continue reading Lister and Others v Hesley Hall Ltd: HL 3 May 2001
The council tenant had wished to appeal following a possession order made after her tenancy had been demoted. The court handed down a supplemental judgment to give effect to its earlier decision. The Court had been asked ‘whether article 8 of the . . Convention . . requires a court, which is being asked to … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Pinnock: SC 9 Feb 2011
Criminality of Assisting Suicide not Infringing The court was asked: ‘whether the present state of the law of England and Wales relating to assisting suicide infringes the European Convention on Human Rights, and whether the code published by the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to prosecutions of those who are alleged to have assisted a … Continue reading Nicklinson and Another, Regina (on The Application of): SC 25 Jun 2014
The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014
Evidence from 3rd Party Torture Inadmissible The applicants had been detained following the issue of certificates issued by the respondent that they posed a terrorist threat. They challenged the decisions of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission saying that evidence underlying the decisions had probably been obtained by torture committed by foreign powers, and should not … Continue reading A and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department (No 2): HL 8 Dec 2005
Anonymised Party to Proceedings The BBC challenged an order made by the Court of Session in judicial review proceedings, permitting the applicant review to delete his name and address and substituting letters of the alphabet, in the exercise (or, as the BBC argues, purported exercise) of a common law power. The court also gave directions … Continue reading A v British Broadcasting Corporation (Scotland): SC 8 May 2014
Three applicants had lied on entry to secure admission, stayed for a considerable time, and had been treated as illegal immigrants under section 33(1). The fourth’s claim that upon being returned he would been killed, had been rejected without investigation. Held: A claim to refugee status was not an exception to the ban on appeals … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Bugdaycay: HL 19 Feb 1986
Twins were conjoined (Siamese). Medically, both could not survive, and one was dependent upon the vital organs of the other. Doctors applied for permission to separate the twins which would be followed by the inevitable death of one of them. The parents, devout Roman Catholics, resisted. Held: The parents’ views were subject to the overriding … Continue reading In Re A (Minors) (Conjoined Twins: Medical Treatment); aka In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation): CA 22 Sep 2000
The claimant sought to continue an interim injunction obtained without notice. The claimant sought to restrain former employees misusing information it claimed they had taken with them. The claimants said that having objected to a transfer of their employments they had not become employees of the claimant. Held: Where an employee did not know the … Continue reading New ISG Ltd v Vernon and others: ChD 14 Nov 2007
The claimant sought damages for an article published by the defendant, who argued that as a corporation, the claimant corporation needed to show special damage, and also that the publication had qualified privilege. Held: ‘It is an established principle of the law of libel in this country that a claimant, whether individual or corporate, does … Continue reading Jameel and Another v Wall Street Journal Europe Sprl (No 2): CA 3 Feb 2005
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 Judge may impose a schedule for the examination of witnesses if there is a severe overrun of the case at the hearing. Citations: Times 05-Aug-1994 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Vernon v Bosley (1) CA 8-Apr-1994 Though the judge had a right to exclude admissible evidence, it remained a balancing exercise … Continue reading Vernon v Bosley: QBD 5 Aug 1994
The parties had contracted for sale and purchase of butane for processing. It was said to have been contaminated. The parties now disputed the effect on damages for breach including on causation, remoteness, mitigation and quantum. Held: The recklessness of the defendant was an intervening act sufficient to affect the chain of causation. Judges: Gross … Continue reading Borealis Ab v Geogas Trading Sa: ComC 9 Nov 2010
An assignment of the benefit of a covenant in a lease held to be sufficiently connected with enjoyment of the property as not to be a bare right of action. The assignment was not void. Scrutton LJ stated that the assignee of a cause of action was not guilty of maintenance or champerty by reason … Continue reading Ellis v Torrington: CA 1920
A jeweller to whom a chimney sweep had taken a jewel he had found, took the jewel out of the socket and refused to return it. The chimney sweep sued him in trover. On the measure of damages, the court ruled ‘unless the defendant did produce the jewel, and shew it not to be of … Continue reading Armory v Delamirie: KBD 1722
The council argued that the defendant was not a tenant granted to him as a secure tenancy since he had not been granted the tenancy in accordance with its policies. An employee had manipulated the Council’s system to grant tenancies to bypass the controls. There was no evidence of this having been done for payment. … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Qasim and Others: CA 20 Oct 2009
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
Local authorities in Denmark sought to recover sums paid to the defendant banks for swap trading, saying that the payments had been outwith their powers. Judges: Tomlinson J Citations: [2009] EWHC 2227 (Comm) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Westdeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale v Islington London Borough Council HL 22-May-1996 Simple interest only … Continue reading Kommune and Another v DEPFA Acs Bank: ComC 4 Sep 2009
The claimant sought damages after his treatment as a disabled person whilst held in immigration detention centres. The court dismissed his claim on the basis of Amin. Held: The application of the Amin case was too simplistic. The various services provided at the detention centre were only to some extent purely governmental. A disabled person … Continue reading Gichura v Home Office and Another: CA 20 May 2008
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
Where A and B each have claims against each other and A is insolvent, the common amount is set off, and the net difference remains as a debt due. Hoffmann L said: ‘It is a matter of common occurrence for an individual to become insolvent while attempting to pursue a claim against someone else. In … Continue reading Stein v Blake: HL 18 May 1995
The Court considered the procedures when a prisoner is kept in solitary confinement, otherwise described as ‘segregation’ or ‘removal from association’, and principally whether decisions to keep the appellants in segregation for substantial periods were taken lawfully. Held: The segregation was not authorised by the applicable legislation: ‘rule 45 . . (1) enables the governor … Continue reading Bourgass and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Justice: SC 29 Jul 2015
The court considered whether a solicitor acting for a potential plaintiff was considered to be an expert for the purposes of the section. Held: Purchas LJ said: ‘Of course as advice from a solicitor as to the legal consequences of the act or omission is not relevant his contribution can only consist of factual information. … Continue reading Nash v Eli Lilly and Co: CA 1993
The claimant asserted passing off and trade mark infringement by the defendant in respect of its own hair oil product and the defendant’s sale of ‘Miracle Oil’. The defendant counterclaimed in a threat action. Judges: Hacon J Citations: [2014] EWHC 1686 (IPEC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Cadbury-Schweppes Pty Ltd And … Continue reading Moroccanoil Israel Ltd v Aldi Stores Ltd: IPEC 29 May 2014
This is an appeal on preliminary points of European Union and domestic law regarding the circumstances in which damages may be recoverable for failure to comply with the requirements of the Public Procurement Directive (Parliament and Council Directive 2004/18/EC on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and … Continue reading Nuclear Decommissioning Authority v Energysolutions EU Ltd (Now Called ATK Energy EU Ltd): SC 11 Apr 2017
The defendant appealed against a confiscation order saying that it should not have been set at values which reflected the black market value of the drugs he had imported. Held: The appeal failed. The court could take account of the illegal market value of drugs when setting the amount of a confiscation order. (Lord Walker … Continue reading Islam, Regina v: HL 10 Jun 2009
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL: Constructive dismissalWhether fundamental breach of implied term of trust and confidence cured, so that the Claimant’s resignation did not amount to constructive dismissal.Whether the range of reasonable responses test has any place in the question as to whether an employee has been constructively dismissed. Fairbrother and Claridge considered and not followed.General observations … Continue reading Bournemouth University Higher Education Corp v Buckland: EAT 8 May 2009
The claimant had instructed the defendant solicitors to act for him, where he was to contract with another client of the same solicitor in a land development. The solicitor failed to disclose that the other client had convictions for dishonesty, and also that the solicitor had himself leant the deposit in the transaction to his … Continue reading Hilton v Barker Booth and Eastwood: HL 3 Feb 2005
PC (Trinidad and Tobago) The complainant said that his constitutional rights had been infringed by the court’s delay. Proceedings had begun in 1987 for redress with regard to a land dispute. There was substantial delay in the appeal, and at one point a judge had died after hearing the application but before he had delivered … Continue reading Boodhoo, Jagram, (suing on behalf of themselves and the Sanatan Dharma Sudhar Sadha) v The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago: PC 1 Apr 2004
The parties, the bankrupt and her trustee, had engaged in a mediation which failed at first, but applicant said an agreement was concluded on the day following. The defendants denied this, and the court as asked to determine whether a settlement had occurred, and was now asked whether without prejudice communications made during the mediation … Continue reading Brown v Rice and Another: ChD 14 Mar 2007
A sole company director must still have company meetings before entering into a contract even if only he will be present. When a director’s claim to the validity of a contract or arrangement depends upon his disclosure of it at a meeting, he must show that he has in letter and spirit complied with the … Continue reading In Re Neptune (Vehicle Washing Equipment) Ltd: Neptune (Vehicle Washing Equipment) Ltd v Fitzgerald: ChD 2 Mar 1995
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
The Chief Constable appealed against a finding that the claimant had been arrested for rape without reasonable grounds. A description of the rapist had been given which the claimant met in several respects, but from which he clearly differed in others. The appellant suggested that the judge had applied too strict a test. Held: The … Continue reading Armstrong v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police: CA 5 Dec 2008
The claimants had succeeded in a claim of distress occasioned by breach of confidence and breach of the Data Protection Act by the taking and selling of photographs from their wedding. Held: As to losses, for the magazine who had bought the rights, the issue was decided by reference to the fee they would have … Continue reading Douglas and others v Hello! Ltd etc: ChD 7 Nov 2003
Compensation for non-economic loss brought about by the manner of an unfair dismissal is, on authority and on principle, recoverable. The award of such compensation by the employment tribunal in the present case was not excessive and was adequately explained. The court could look to parliamentary reports to identify the mischief sought to be rectified, … Continue reading Dunnachie v Kingston Upon Hull City Council: CA 11 Feb 2004
Representative claims were made against the respondents, hospitals, pathologists etc with regard to the removal of organs from deceased children without the informed consent of the parents. They claimed under the tort of wrongful interference. Held: Organ removal when a post mortem had been ordered by the coroner was not tortious. In English law there … Continue reading AB and others v Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust: QBD 26 Mar 2004
The claimant sought judicial review of the decision of the respondent to disclose documents obtained by it from them during an investigation. Held: The decisions to disclose material to the DoH were ‘in accordance with law’ within the meaning of Article 8(2), notwithstanding the width of the discretion conferred by section 3(5)(a). The claimant should … Continue reading Kent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, (Regina on the Application of ) v Serious Fraud Office and Another: Admn 17 Dec 2003
Brokers contracted to obtain re-insurance of risks undertaken by the claimants. They negligently failed to obtain full cover. The question at issue was whether they were liable for the full loss, or whether their duty was limited to obtaining satisfactory excess of loss protection. Held: The appeal failed. The case of SAAMCo did not affect … Continue reading Aneco Reinsurance Underwriting Limited (In Liquidation) (a Body Incorporate Under the Laws of Bermuda) v Johnson and Higgins Limited: HL 18 Oct 2001
A negligent valuer was liable for the loss arising from an overvaluation, but the valuer was not liable for that proportion of the lender’s loss on the loan which was attributable to the fall in the market after the valuation date, even though (i) the lender would not have entered into the transaction but for … Continue reading Banque Bruxelles Lambert Sa v Eagle Star Ins Co Ltd and Others: QBD 7 Mar 1994
The plaintiffs were mortgagees. The defendants were valuers. The defendants negligently over-valued properties and the plaintiffs then accepted mortgages of the properties. Later the property market collapsed and the various borrowers defaulted and on sale the plaintiffs obtained substantially less than the sums they had advanced. The relevant question was whether the plaintiffs could include … Continue reading Banque Bruxelles Lambert Sa v Eagle Star Insurance Co Ltd and Others: CA 24 Feb 1995
The Commissioner appealed against an award of damages for false imprisonment. The claimant had been arrested shortly after a terrorist attack. The judge had held that they had no reasonable belief of his involvement. The Commissioner did not now pursue an argument of necessity. Held: The only cause suggested for suspicion of the claimant was … Continue reading Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Raissi: CA 12 Nov 2008
The court looked at the calculation of damages after an offer of amends under the Act by the defendant. Held: Such calculations have to be linked to the very different circumstances of each case. Comparisons with awards after jury trial were unhepful: ‘I am not concerned with hypothesising as to what a particular group of … Continue reading Cleese v Clark: QBD 2003
