The deceased had been detained as a mental patient and supported after her release, by her family financially. Her representatives now said that the respondent had failed in its obligation to provide support for no charge. The authority said that the case brought by way of judicial review was brought out of time. Held: The … Continue reading Stojak, Regina (on The Application of) v Sheffield City Council: Admn 22 Dec 2009
Reckless HIV transmission – Grievous Bodily Harm The defendant appealed against his conviction for inflicting grievous bodily harm. He had HIV/Aids, and was found to have transmitted the disease by intercourse when the victims were not informed of his condition. It was not suggested that any rape had occurred or that he had intended to … Continue reading Regina v Dica: CACD 5 May 2004
Mental health – ‘This case raises one issue: is the nature of the risk posed by a patient detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 relevant to the appropriateness of treatment under section 72(1)(b)(iia) of that Act?’ . .
The court considered a procedural filter which prevented the bringing of a claim relating to the exercise of powers under the 1983 Act without the leave of the court.
Held: ‘The Court notes at the outset that the Applicant pursued his . .
The patient was detained under the Act. The Mental Health Tribunal decided he should be released. The hospital disagreed. The patient continued to reside to the Hospital voluntarily, but the hospital viewed the decision to release him as . .
The applicant had been detained under the Act. He sought to be allowed to wear women’s clothing.
Held: There is an implied power for hospital authorities to exercise control over what inmates wore. Here, the power was being exercised for both . .
Force feeding of the applicant, a convicted murderer and detained mental patient, was lawful since it was reasonably administered as part of the medical treatment given for the mental disorder from which Ian Brady was suffering. By virtue of section . .
A properly qualified expert is entitled to rely on what might otherwise be considered as hearsay, that is to say findings by other experts in the same field in support of an opinion on any given set of facts. ‘In the context of evidence given by . .
Claim for judicial review of a decision of the Secretary of State, issued in a letter , refusing to grant the claimant escorted community leave under section 17 of the Mental Health Act 1983. . .
Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus ad Subjiciendum directed to the hospital managers of the defendant. The application relates to the detention of the claimant since 30 January 2008 at the Cygnet Wing Blackheath purportedly authorised under . .
The plaintiff sought damages following the death of her husband when working for the defendant. The limitation period expired on Saturday 5 September 1970. The writ was issued on the Monday following.
Held: The appeal succeeded. The writ was . .
Application for leave to appeal refusal of leave to bring request for judicial review as to decision on detention under section 3. . .
This appeal, from an order dismissing the Appellant’s claim for judicial review, raises a short but important point as to the effect of a hospital order made under section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983: does such an order cease to have effect if . .
(The Health Committee of the GMC) The appellant challenged a decision of the respondent extending his suspension from the register for a further twelve months. He had been suspended against a finding that he did not have an appropriate insight into . .
The parties considered the propriety of a sterilisation of a woman who was, through mental incapacity, unable to give her consent.
Held: The appeal succeeded, and the operation would be lawful if the doctor considered it to be in the best . .
The claimant suffered a congenital degenerative brain condition inevitably resulting in a future need to receive nutrition and hydration by artificial means. He was concerned that a decision might be taken by medical practitioners responsible for . .
(Trinidad and Tobago) The appellant was an attorney. A complaint was made that he had been given money to buy land, but neither had the land been conveyed nor the money returned. The complaint began in 1988, but final speeches were not heard until . .
The applicants case was struck out after a friendly settlement under which the UK government undertook to seek to amend Mental Health legislation. Current law did not provide an opportunity for a detained person to apply to court to have substituted . .
Where a patient lacks capacity, there is the power to provide him with whatever treatment or care is necessary in his own best interests. Medical treatment can be undertaken in an emergency even if, through a lack of capacity, no consent had been . .
The appellant solicitor acted in a land transaction. The land was mortgaged to the respondent bank. She wrote to the bank stating her client’s intention to repay the whole loan. The letter was negligently mistaken and the bankers allowed the . .
The case concerned a boy aged eight at the material time, both of whose parents had severe mental health problems. Very shortly after he had been returned to his mother’s care when she came out of hospital, she suffered a relapse and called an . .
The claimant had been taken under warrant to a mental hospital, but was found not to be suffering any mental illness. She complained that the arrest was unlawful, since the police officer had not been accompanied by the people named on the warrant. . .
The parties had engaged in a bitter 95 day trial in which allegations of forgery, theft, false accounting, blackmail and arson. A company owning patents and other rights had become insolvent, and the real concern was the destination and ownership of . .
The appellant, detained for assessment under section 2, was too disabled to make an application to the court on her own behalf. After a dispute between her mother and the medical officer over her treatment, an application was made to the county . .
Appeal from order for detention in mental hospital – making a threat to kill . .
Challenge to refusal to accept claimant in to guardianship. . .
A person who is liable to be detained in a hospital by virtue of an application or order under that Act may either be actually detained or given leave of absence. While on leave of absence it may well be that the patient’s disorder is not such that . .
References: 60 L Ed 2d 323, 60 L Ed 323, 99 SCt 1804, 441 US 418 Links: Worldlii Coram: Burger CJ (US Supreme Court) To commit an individual to a mental institution in civil proceedings, the state was required by the ‘due process’ clause of the US Constitution to prove by clear and convincing evidence … Continue reading Addington v Texas; 30 Apr 1979
References: [2000] MHLR 183 Coram: Jackson J The claimant was detained iin a secure mental hospital. He complained of being held in seclusion for a long period, and as to the hospital’s policy. Held: The hospital’s policy, by reducing the frequency of review of a patient’s seclusion below that provided for in the Code of … Continue reading Regina v Ashworth Special Hospital Trust, ex parte Munjaz; 10 Oct 2000
Links: Judiciary Coram: Mostyn J The patient had been attending a course in the UK for her work. She suffered a further episode of a bipolar condition. Being pregnant she stopped taking her medication. Her mental condition deteriorated, and she was taken into secure psychiatric care under the 1983 Act. She had had two previous … Continue reading In re AA; COP 23 Aug 2012
1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts
For civil patients, it matters a great deal whether the classification of their condition is ‘severe subnormality’ or just ‘subnormality’ or whether it is ‘mental illness’ or ‘psychopathic disorder’. Lawton LJ discussed the construction of the phrase ‘mental illness’: ‘The answer in my judgment is to be found in the advice which Lord Reid gave … Continue reading W v L: CA 1974
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio A claim was made for the price of goods which the plaintiff sold to the defendant in Dunkirk, knowing that the defendant’s purpose was to smuggle the goods into England. The plaintiff was met with a defence of illegality. Held: The defence failed. Knowledge on the part of the … Continue reading Holman v Johnson: 5 Jul 1775
The defendant authority appealed a finding that it was liable in negligence from the conduct of one of its environmental health officers. The plaintiff had set out to refurbish and open a restaurant. He said the officer gave him a list of things he must do. He had done them, but the licence was still … Continue reading Welton, Welton v North Cornwall District Council: CA 17 Jul 1996
The copyright tribunal was given a wide discretion for the awarding of costs on applications made to it for licenses. The nature of the applications and the different basis makes it dangerous to import rules for awards from the general rules on costs. The Copyright Tribunal was wrong to award costs on an award to … Continue reading AEI Rediffusion Music Ltd v Phonographic Performance Ltd: CA 1 Feb 1999
Doctors are to take great care when considering making a recommendation of an order under sections 37 or 41. Citations: Ind Summary 17-Jul-1995 Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 37 41 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing, Health Updated: 08 October 2022; Ref: scu.88328
The defendant’s appeal against murder had succeeded, and a conviction for manslaughter substituted. The court now asked what should be his sentence. Held: The medical evidence showed that he suffered a mental illness and it is of a nature and degree making it appropriate that he be detained in hospital. The Court made a section … Continue reading Regina v Weekes: CACD 4 May 1999
The deceased had made a will providing for her daughter and charities. She became ill, and lost capacity, and then her daughter died. Her son applied for a statutory will. This was ordered and prepared, but she died before the court could confirm that it could be sealed. The son applied for an order allowing … Continue reading In Re Hughes Deceased: ChD 8 Jan 1999
The wife petitioned for divorce, alleging cruelty. Held: It had not been a misdirection for the petitioner to have to prove her case beyond reasonable doubt: ‘A high standard of proof’ was required because of the importance of such a case to the parties and the community. although it was a misdirection for a judge … Continue reading Bater v Bater: CA 1951
The applicant, a suspected Mafioso, had been detained in custody pending his trial. At the end of the maximum period of detention pending trial, he had been taken to an island where, he complained, he was unable to work, keep his family permanently with him, practise the Catholic religion or ensure his son’s education. Held: … Continue reading Guzzardi v Italy: ECHR 6 Nov 1980
Judges: Richards J Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 516 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 35 Health, Criminal Practice Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.138637
Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 28 Links: Bailii Statutes: Mental Health Act 1983 12(2) Health, Crime Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.138149
Home Secretary had the duty to make decision on release of mental patient and had no duty to follow recommendation of the tribunal but must act fairly and disclose what was happening. Citations: Times 15-May-1998 Statutes: Mental Health Review Tribunal Rules 1983 (1983 No 942) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Health Updated: 26 May 2022; Ref: … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Harry: QBD 15 May 1998
(Scotland) A detention in hospital which was capable of preventing the deterioration of a psychopathic disorder in a patient was sufficient to bring his detention within the requirement for treatment which might alleviate a condition, which phrase has a wide meaning. ‘Medical treatment’ could include treatment which alleviates or prevents a deterioration of the symptoms … Continue reading Hutchison Reid v Secretary Of State For Scotland and Another: HL 5 Feb 1998
(Commission) Complaint was made as to the censorship of prisoners’ correspondence. The censorship of prisoners’ correspondence was ancillary to prison rules restricting the contents of correspondence. The Commission, therefore, and the Court had to consider what restraints upon the content of correspondence were permissible. Held: Communications making representations about the prisoner’s trial, conviction or sentence … Continue reading Silver v United Kingdom: ECHR 1980
Even relatively minor medical treatment, if compulsory, may engage article 8. Citations: 22398/93 Statutes: European Convention on Human Rights 8 Cited by: Cited – B, Regina (on the Application of) v Ashworth Hospital Authority HL 17-Mar-2005 The House was asked whether a patient detained for treatment under the 1983 Act can be treated against his … Continue reading J and others v Switzerland: ECHR 5 Apr 1995
Even where there is culpability, a hospital order with a restriction order may well be the appropriate way to deal with a dangerous and disordered person.Mustill LJ discussed the effect of a restriction order: ‘In marked contrast with the regime under an ordinary hospital order, is an order coupled with a restriction on discharge pursuant … Continue reading Regina v Birch: CACD 1989
The protection of those responsible for the care of mental patients from being harassed by litigation is a legitimate objective. Citations: (1987) 52 DR 269 Cited by: Cited – Seal v Chief Constable of South Wales Police HL 4-Jul-2007 The claimant had sought to bring proceedings against the respondent, but as a mental patient subject … Continue reading M v United Kingdom: ECHR 1987
Administrative Discretion to be Used Reasonably The applicant challenged the manner of decision making as to the conditions which had been attached to its licence to open the cinema on Sundays. It had not been allowed to admit children under 15 years of age. The statute provided no appeal procedure, and the applicant sought a … Continue reading Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947
The court was asked whether section 139 precluded a mental patient from applying for leave to move for judicial review. Held: A restriction on the bringing of civil or criminal proceedings imposed by the section 139 did not apply to proceedings for judicial review. Ackner LJ concluded that Parliament had not intended to bar the … Continue reading Ex parte Waldron: CA 1986
For reasons of policy or pragmatism, the actual criminal standard of proof may be used in civil proceedings such as contempt of court. Contempt of court is a criminal offence. Accordingly, the burden of proving that the defendant is in contempt rests on the claimant and the facts constituting any contempt must be proved to … Continue reading In re Bramblevale Ltd: 1970
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
Where an employee gives an unequivocal and unambiguous notice of his resignation, then that can be accepted by an employer and there is no dismissal. Where the unambiguous words are said in a moment of anger or in the heat of the moment or where there is mental incapacity on the part of the employee … Continue reading Sothern v Frank Charlesly and Co: CA 1981
The claimant had spent his childhood in foster care, and now claimed damages against a local authority for decisions made and not made during that period. The judge’s decision to strike out the claim had been upheld by the Court of Appeal. Held: An adult formerly in the care of a local authority as a … Continue reading Barrett v London Borough of Enfield: HL 17 Jun 1999
Ban on Prisoners talking to Journalists unlawful The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without undertakings from the journalists not to publish any element of the interview. … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for The Home Department Ex Parte Simms: HL 8 Jul 1999
The court asked as to the criteria which should be applied when considering an application by a mental patient for leave to bring proceedings under section 139: ‘section 139 protects the defendant unless and until the applicant obtains leave. This in itself is an added protection of considerable value [over and above the ordinary strike … Continue reading Winch v Jones: CA 1986
False Prospectus – Issuers liable in Deceit The directors of a company issued a prospectus, falsely stating that the proceeds were to be used to complete alterations to the buildings of the company, to purchase horses and vans and to develop the trade of the company. In fact it was to pay off pressing liabilities. … Continue reading Edgington v Fitzmaurice: CA 7 Mar 1885
C had been admitted to a secure hospital as a patient under Part III of the Mental Health Act 1983 because of his paranoid schizophrenia. He now sought an injunction to prevent the amputation of his gangrenous foot without his written consent. The patient’s persecutory delusions might have prevented him from weighing the information relevant … Continue reading Re C (Adult: Refusal of Treatment): FD 1994
Proof Standard for Misrepresentation The court was asked what was the standard of proof required to establish the tort of misrepresentation, and it contrasted the different standards of proof applicable in civil and criminal cases. Held: The standard was the balance of probabilities. It was for the plaintiff to establish that the defendant had the … Continue reading Hornal v Neuberger Products Ltd: CA 1956
A court should take great care before setting aside a decision of a judge which had involved the exercise of a judicial discretion. The court considered the duty of an appellate court in a children case: ‘What this court should seek to do is to answer the question whether the court discerns a wrongness in … Continue reading G v G (Minors: Custody appeal): CA 1985
The House was asked as to the standard of proof required to establish that adultery had been condoned under the subsection. Held: Lord Denning said: ‘In short it comes to this: so far as the grounds for divorce are concerned, the case, like any civil case, may be proved by a preponderance of probability, but … Continue reading Blyth v Blyth: HL 1966
Evidence allowed – Care Application after Abuse Children had made allegations of serious sexual abuse against their step-father. He was acquitted at trial, but the local authority went ahead with care proceedings. The parents appealed against a finding that a likely risk to the children had still been been found. Held: A care order could … Continue reading In re H and R (Minors) (Child Sexual Abuse: Standard of Proof): HL 14 Dec 1995
The defendant prison governor had intercepted a prisoner’s letter to the Crown Office for the purpose of raising proceedings to have the governor committed for an alleged contempt of court. Held: The governor was in contempt of court. Subject to any legislation altering the situation, a prisoner retains all his rights that are not taken … Continue reading Raymond v Honey: HL 4 Mar 1981
Employment Tribunals to Provide Sufficient Reasons Tribunals, when giving their decisions, are required to do no more than to make clear their findings of fact and to answer any question of law raised. Bingham LJ said: ‘It has on a number of occasions been made plain that the decision of an Industrial Tribunal is not … Continue reading Meek v City of Birmingham District Council: CA 18 Feb 1987
An application to the court to exclude a person as a patient’s relative under the Act, could be made ex parte in appropriate situations, though it was preferable to take that application to an inter partes determination before other procedures . .
A mental patient sought damages for assault from a nurse. The nurse replied that the proceedings were a nullity since the patient had not first obtained permission to commence proceedings.
Held: Lord Widgery CJ said: ‘Although no point was . .
The applicant was a male nurse at Broadmoor Special Hospital. He was on duty while patients were saying goodbye to visitors. He approached the detained patient telling him to ‘come on’ and allegedly punched him on the shoulder. The patient brought . .
The psychiatrist had been engaged by W’s solicitors to examine him and prepare a report to go to the Tribunal hearing an application for the transfer or conditional discharge of W from a secure unit. His report was damning. W withdrew the . .
The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without . .
