PAC sought to recover excess advance corporation tax paid under a UK system contrary to EU law. It was now agreed that some was repayable but now the quantum. Five issues separated the parties. Issue I: does EU law require the tax credit to be set by reference to the overseas tax actually paid, as … Continue reading Prudential Assurance Company Ltd v Revenue and Customs: SC 25 Jul 2018
The claimants sought a fuller inquest into deaths at the hands of the British Army in 1990 in Northern Ireland. On opening the inquest, the coroner had declined to undertake to hold a hearing compliant with article 2, and it had not made progress. The applicants believed this would require a further investigation of the … Continue reading McCaughey and Another, Re Application forJudicial Review: SC 18 May 2011
FTTTX IMPORT DUTY- two post-clearance demands in the sums of andpound;74,361.48 and andpound;2,684.56 respectively- GPS certificates of origins form As either invalid or forgeries -yes- Singapore bills of Lading not substantiated documentation for purposes of the direct transport rule -yes- appeal dismissed -observations on whether ‘ remission of duty’ requested under Article 239 allowable – … Continue reading Kam Leisurewear Ltd v Revenue and Customs: FTTTx 10 Nov 2011
A leading footballer had obtained an injunction restraining the defendants from publishing his identity and allegations of sexual misconduct. The claimant said that she had demanded money not to go public. Held: It had not been suggested that there was any proper public interest in the proposed publication, and balancing the article 10 and 8 … Continue reading CTB v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Another (1): QBD 16 May 2011
The claimant sought damages in defamation in respect of statements made on internet bulletin boards. He pursued the operators of the bulletin boards, and the court now considered the liability of the Internet Service Providers whose systems had inevitably carried the traffic from the bulletin boards to their own customers. Held: The claims were struck … Continue reading Bunt v Tilley and others: QBD 10 Mar 2006
A shopkeeper displayed a flick-knife in his window for sale. A price was also displayed. He was charged with offering it for sale, an offence under the Act. The words ‘offer for sale’ were not defined in the Act, and therefore the magistrates construed them as under the general law of contract, in which case … Continue reading Fisher v Bell: QBD 10 Nov 1960
The appellant challenged his extradition saying that the European Arrest Warrant under which he was held wrongly said that he was convicted, whilst he said he was wanted for trial. He had been tried in his absence, and the judgment and sentence were not under Italian law either final or enforceable until the appeal process … Continue reading Caldarelli v Court of Naples: HL 30 Jul 2008
Rebalancing of Enhanced Disclosure Requirements The Court was asked as to the practice of supplying enhanced criminal record certificates under the 1997 Act. It was said that the release of reports of suspicions was a disproportionate interference in the claimants article 8 rights to a private life. The enhanced record revealed that the claimant’s son … Continue reading L, Regina (On the Application of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis: SC 29 Oct 2009
The claimant sought return of recordings and of money paid to the defendant through an alleged fraud or threats. She was the former wife of the Sultan of Brunei and head of state, who now sought an order requiring the court to protect his identity in the proceedings, saying that the Acts required the UK … Continue reading Aziz v Aziz and others: CA 11 Jul 2007
The Court considered the legality under the European Convention on Human Rights of licensing conditions imposed by the Environment Agency restricting certain forms of salmon-fishing in the Severn Estuary. The claimant operated a licensed putcher rank salmon fishing business. Held: The Agency’s appeal failed. The judge’s reasoning was correct. He had not find it necessary … Continue reading Mott, Regina (on The Application of) v Environment Agency: SC 14 Feb 2018
The defendant was charged with having in his possession a locked blade. His defence was that he had good reason, relying upon the explanation given at the police station. The judge withdrew the defence from the jury. He appealed, saying the judge should have left the jury to decide. Held: The words ‘good reason’ were … Continue reading Regina v Bown (Mark): CACD 23 Jun 2003
1. For courts and tribunals, the coming into force of Part 5A of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (ss.117A-D) has not altered the need for a two-stage approach to Article 8 claims. 2. Ordinarily a court or tribunal will, as a first stage, consider an appellant’s Article 8 claim by reference to the … Continue reading Bossade (Ss117A-D-Interrelationship With Rules): UTIAC 16 Jul 2015
‘The appeal concerns a proposed development by Crisp Maltings Group Ltd (‘CMGL’) at their Great Ryburgh plant in Norfolk, in the area of the North Norfolk District Council (‘the council’). It was opposed by the appellant, Mr Matthew Champion, a member of the Ryburgh Village Action Group. The proposal involved the erection of two silos … Continue reading Champion, Regina (on The Application of) v North Norfolk District Council and Another: SC 22 Jul 2015
The question raised by this appeal is whether, during the period 1 October 2002 to 5 December 2005, the takings on a particular category of gaming machines operated by the appellants were subject to VAT. The answer depends on whether the takings resulted from the provision of a ‘gaming machine’ as defined in Note (3), … Continue reading Revenue and Customs v The Rank Group Plc: SC 8 Jul 2015
The claimant sought to challenge the validity of the 2009 Act by judicial review. The Act would make their insured and themselves liable to very substantial unanticipated claims for damages for pleural plaques which would not previousl or otherwise have amounted to personal injury. Pleural plaques are physical changes in the pleura, detectable radiologically as … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SCS 8 Jan 2010
[1999] EWHC Admin 651 Bailii England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Re DE, JE v DE, Surrey County Council and EW FD 29-Dec-2006 JE, wife of DE, who had been taken into residential care by the Local authority, said that the authority had infringed his Article 5 and 8 rights on transferring him between … Continue reading Regina v Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust ex parte Rosling, (By Official Solicitor His Litigation Friend): Admn 8 Jul 1999
The claimant complained of misfeasance in public office by the prisons for having opened and read protected correspondence whilst he was in prison. The respondent argued that he had suffered no loss. The judge had found that bad faith was established in three prison officers. In one case the officer opened the letter in front … Continue reading Watkins v Home Office and others: HL 29 Mar 2006
The claimants objected to orders made freezing their assets under the 2006 Order, after being included in the Consolidated List of suspected members of terrorist organisations. Held: The orders could not stand. Such orders were made by the executive without parliamentary scrutiny by the use of Orders in Council. Statutory provision for counter-terrorism was in … Continue reading HM Treasury v Ahmed and Others: SC 27 Jan 2010
Unrelated Detriment was no Discrimination The tenant had left his flat and sublet it so as to allow the landlord authority an apparently unanswerable claim for possession. The authority appealed a finding that they had to take into account the fact that the tenant was disabled and make reasonable adjustments. Held: The authority’s appeal succeeded. … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm: HL 25 Jun 2008
The bank challenged measures taken by HM Treasury to restrict access to the United Kingdom’s financial markets by a major Iranian commercial bank, Bank Mellat, on the account of its alleged connection with Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The bank sought to have the direction given under section 7 of the 2008 Act. … Continue reading Bank Mellat v Her Majesty’s Treasury (No 2): SC 19 Jun 2013
The taxpayer requested refund of VAT overpaid on chocolate covered cakes. The CandE resisted saying that the money had been substantially already paid by its customers. The case had been referred twice to the ECJ, who answered that the maintenance of exemptions or of reduced rates of VAT lower than the minimum rate laid down … Continue reading Marks and Spencer Plc v Customs and Excise: HL 4 Feb 2009
Where a person is in possession of an article by its nature an offensive weapon, there will be ‘a very heavy burden on any person in possession . . . to satisfy any court that he had it for such an innocent purpose’ to constitute a reasonable excuse. [1983] 1 WLR 393 Prevention of Crime … Continue reading Gibson v Wallace: 1983
The defendant appealed against his conviction for possession of a blade in a public place. He argued that he had a reasonable excuse. He was driving a friend’s car and said he had no knowledge of what was in the boot and elsewhere. Held: The offence under section 49 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) … Continue reading Hill v HM Advocate: HCJ 30 Oct 2014
Judgment on the applicant father’s application for an order that his daughter Kate, who is now aged 14, be returned forthwith to Malta pursuant to Article 12 of the Hague Convention on the International Aspects of Child Abduction 1980, as incorporated domestically by the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985. Held: Mostyn J said: ‘there … Continue reading SP (Father) v EB (Mother) and Another: FD 26 Nov 2014
EAT Equal Pay Act : Article 141/European Law JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Claim in time and effective date of termination The Employment Judge erred in directing himself in deciding whether there was a ‘stable employment relationship’ during a relevant period. He erroneously took into account features of continuity of employment within the meaning of the Employment … Continue reading Dass v The College of Haringey Enfield and North East London: EAT 27 Nov 2014
Application to contest jurisdiction is mainly about Article 5(1) of Council Regulation (EC) 44/2001 [2014] EWHC 3810 (Comm), [2015] Bus LR 578, [2015] ILPr 8 Bailii England and Wales European, Jurisdiction Updated: 24 December 2021; Ref: scu.539344
(Extra Division, Inner House – Opinion of Lord Malcolm) – appeal in application for order of return of two children to their father in France. The partis disputed whether Scotland had become habitually resident in Scotland, and also whether the father had consented to their removal to Scotland. Held: The Lord ordinary granted the appeal … Continue reading AR, Re An Order Under The Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985: SCS 14 Nov 2014
UTIAC LEGAL GUIDANCE (i) The operation of the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber Guidance Note no. 2 of 2011, ‘Reporting Decisions of the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber’ and, particularly, [11] thereof, does not render the process of composition of country guidance decisions procedurally unfair. (ii) As a general principle, where attendance of … Continue reading MOJ and Others (Return To Mogadishu) (CG): UTIAC 3 Oct 2014
UTLC Landlord and Tenant – right to manage – whether initial notice must specify that RTM Company’s articles of association are available for inspection on a Saturday or Sunday -section 78(5)(b), Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 – signature by a corporate secretary – whether notice invalid if section 44, Companies Act 2006 not complied … Continue reading Elim Court RTM Co Ltd v Avon Freeholds Ltd: UTLC 10 Sep 2014
Land had been purchased which was subject to a restrictive covenant. The papers did not disclose the precise extent of the dominant land, the land which benefitted from the restriction. Held: The land having the benefit of a covenant had to be easily ascertainable. It would be oppressive to expect a purchaser of land to … Continue reading Crest Nicholson Residential (South) Ltd v McAllister: CA 1 Apr 2004
The defendant challenged a decision that the English court had jurisdiction to hear a claim in contract saying that the appropriate court was in Cyprus. The cargo was taken by ship from Liverpool to Limassol. An English court would only have jurisdiction of the cargo was ‘delivered’ in England. Held: The cargo was delivered on … Continue reading Scottish and Newcastle International Limited v Othon Ghalanos Ltd: HL 20 Feb 2008
Public Identification of Pedophiles by Police AB and CB had been released from prison after serving sentences for sexual assaults on children. They were thought still to be dangerous. They moved about the country to escape identification, and came to be staying on a campsite. The police sought to co-operate in the resettlement of the … Continue reading Regina v Chief Constable of North Wales Police and Others Ex Parte Thorpe and Another; Regina v Chief Constable for North Wales Police Area and others ex parte AB and CB: CA 18 Mar 1998
FTTTx VALUE ADDED TAX – financial transactions – exemption – Article 135(1)(d) Principal VAT Directive – card handling services – nature of services – whether transactions concerning payments – scope of exemption – questions to be referred to the CJEU for a preliminary ruling – whether in any event to be excluded from exemption as … Continue reading Bookit Ltd v Revenue and Customs: FTTTx 1 Sep 2014
AIT 1. Section 55 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 does not require a decision on exclusion from asylum to be made at the outset of a hearing and prior to consideration of any other matters. 2. The effect of s.55 is to require a Tribunal in its written determination to decide exclusion … Continue reading AS (S55 ‘Exclusion’ Certificate – Process) Sri Lanka: UTIAC 14 Nov 2013
FTTTx Customs duty. Customs Code Article 221 – meaning of ‘communicated to’. Must communication be received by the alleged debtor – yes. [2014] UKFTT 825 (TC) Bailii England and Wales Customs and Excise Updated: 20 December 2021; Ref: scu.536034
The claimant had lodged an appeal against a rejection of her claim of sex discrimination, and against the amount of damages awarded on the success of her claim of unfair dismissal. After rejection of her request for a review, her counsel had lodged a letter withdrawing her appeal. She then received a reply from the … Continue reading O’Neill v Governors of St Thomas More RC School: EAT 12 Oct 1995
The statutory provisions of the 2007 Act for review of standard authorisations were matters that the Court of Protection should take into account in determining whether it should make an order authorising the deprivation of P’s liberty, and if so the extent and period of such an authorisation having regard to the authorities relating to … Continue reading GJ v The Foundation Trust and Another: FD 20 Nov 2009
A coroner’s comment that the deceased’s relative was ‘unhinged’ displayed a bias which was irreparable. ‘The description ‘apparent bias’ traditionally given to this head of bias is not entirely apt, for if despite the appearance of bias the court is able to examine all the relevant material and satisfy itself that there was no danger … Continue reading Regina v Inner West London Coroner Ex Parte Dallaglio, and Ex Parte Lockwood Croft: CA 16 Jun 1994
Interim Injunctions in Patents Cases The plaintiffs brought proceedings for infringement of their patent. The proceedings were defended. The plaintiffs obtained an interim injunction to prevent the defendants infringing their patent, but they now appealed its discharge by the Court of Appeal. Held: The questions which applied when looking for an interim injunction in patent … Continue reading American Cyanamid Co v Ethicon Ltd: HL 5 Feb 1975
The claimant sought judicial review of the conditions imposed on him on being released from prison under licence, saying that interfered with his Article 8 rights. Richards, Aikens, Patten LJJ [2014] EWCA Civ 827 Bailii European Convention on Human Rights 8 England and Wales Citing: See Also – Tabbakh, Regina v CACD 3-Mar-2009 The defendant … Continue reading Tabbakh, Regina (on The Application of) v Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust and Another: CA 19 Jun 2014
The court was asked whether an order made under s. 39 of the 1933 Act, prohibiting the identification of (among others) a defendant under the age of 18 years, can last indefinitely or whether it automatically expires when that person attains the age of 18 years. Held: A section 39 order expires when the young … Continue reading JC and Another v The Central Criminal Court: QBD 8 Apr 2014
(i) Failure on the part of the Secretary of State to identify in her decision any legitimate aim under Article 8(2) of the ECHR does not prevent a court or tribunal from seeking to do so on the basis of the materials before it. (ii) ‘Maintenance of effective immigration control’ whilst not as such a … Continue reading Shahzad (Art 8: Legitimate Aim) Pakistan: UTIAC 26 Feb 2014
VALUE ADDED TAX – exempt supplies – health and welfare – services supplied by chiropodists who were not registered – whether services directly supervised by a person who was registered – mostly yes – appeal on this issue allowed in principle – VATA 1994 s31 and Sch 9 Grp 7 Item 1(c) and Note (2) … Continue reading E Moss Ltd v Revenue and Customs: VDT 27 Mar 2006
The defendant complained that the prosecution had not disclosed the fact that a prosecution witness had convictions, and that had it been disclosed it would have undermined the prosecution. Other statements taken were not disclosed as had later become standard practice. Held: The test for whether should have been disclosed is to ask whether there … Continue reading McInnes v Her Majesty’s Advocate: SC 10 Feb 2010
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
UTTC Customs duty – classification – whether mastectomy bra a brassiere under CN 6212 or an orthopaedic device etc under CN 9021 ‘ mastectomy bra an orthopaedic device under CN 9021 10 10 by virtue of Note 6 to Chapter 90 – appeal allowed [2013] UKUT 394 (TCC) Bailii England and Wales Citing: At FTTTx … Continue reading Amoena (UK) Ltd v HM Revenue and Customs: UTTC 12 Aug 2013
The claimant newspapers complained of the spidering of the web-sites and redistribution of the materials collected by the defendants to its subscribers. The defendants including the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) denied that they needed a licence for the purpose. Held: The members of PRCA required licences from the claimants in order lawfully to receive … Continue reading The Newspaper Licensing Agency Ltd and Others v Meltwater Holding Bv and Others: ChD 26 Nov 2010
The court was asked whether the process of condemnation and forfeiture of goods pursuant to section 139 and Schedule 3 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 is civil or criminal in nature for the purposes of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Richards, Elias LJJ [2013] EWCA Civ 1643 Bailii … Continue reading Amos, Regina (on The Application of) v Maidstone Crown Court and Another: CA 6 Nov 2013
The claimants alleged that the defendant newspaper group had directly or through agents hacked their mobile phones. They suggested that articles published by the defendants could only have come from such activities. The defendants now sought summary judgment striking out two claims, and striking out elements of all four claims. Held: The applications failed. Mann … Continue reading Gulati and Others v MGN Ltd: ChD 6 Nov 2013
The tax payer had sought repayment of sums of VAT charged to a particular form of gaming, saying that the rules infringed the principles of fiscal neutrality under European law. HMRC now appealed against a finding that the machines were exempt from VAT.Rimer LJ said that a narrow reading might lead to absurdity: That cannot … Continue reading HM Revenue and Customs v The Rank Group Plc: CA 30 Oct 2013
1. The Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951 provides greater protection than the minimum standards imposed by a literal interpretation) of Article 10(1)(d) of the Qualification Directive (Particular Social Group). Article 10 (d) should be interpreted by replacing the word ‘and’ between Article 10(1)(d)(i) and (ii) with the word ‘or’, creating an … Continue reading DH (Particular Social Group: Mental Health) Afghanistan: UTIAC 3 Jun 2020
Domestic Offence requires Domestic Defence Each defendant sought to raise by way of defence of their otherwise criminal actions, the fact that they were attempting to prevent the commission by the government of the crime of waging an aggressive war in Iraq, and that their acts were accordingly justified in law. Held: The law on … Continue reading Regina v Jones (Margaret), Regina v Milling and others: HL 29 Mar 2006
UTIAC (1) It may be unfair for the Secretary of State to fail to apply the terms of a policy to a case that fell within the terms of the policy when it was in existence: Hakemi and others [2012] EWHC 1967 (Admin), and Mohammed [2012] EWHC 3091 Admin considered. (2) Chapter 53 of the … Continue reading Okonkwo (Legacy/Hakemi; Health Claim) Nigeria: UTIAC 30 Jul 2013
UTIAC (1) An appeal under section 40A of the British Nationality Act 1981 against a decision to deprive a person of British citizenship requires the Tribunal to consider whether the Secretary of State’s discretionary decision to deprive should be exercised differently. This will involve (but not be limited to) ECHR Article 8 issues, as well … Continue reading Deliallisi (British Citizen: Deprivation Appeal: Scope) Albania: UTIAC 30 Aug 2013
The appellants challenged rejection of their complaints that actions of police officers searching their ‘squats’ when executing search warrants, were unlawful in that they had been intended not as descrbed for the search for stolen goods, but rather to prevent protests against the forthcoming royal wedding. Held: The appeals failed: ‘the timing of the execution … Continue reading Pearce and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis and Another: CA 18 Jul 2013
Application was made for approval of a compromise of a claim for damages for personal injury for the child. The court now considered whether an order should be made to protect the identity of the six year old claimant. Held: An order should have been made: ‘the following principles should apply: (i) the hearing should … Continue reading MX v Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and Others: CA 17 Feb 2015
Anonymity in Court Proceedings – No two stage test XXX appealed against the refusal to make orders anonymising her name and redacting certain details from published judgments. The appeal raised a point about the proper approach to applications for anonymisation under CPR 39.2. She brought proceedings for judicial review of the Council’s housing allocation policy, … Continue reading XXX v Camden London Borough Council: CA 11 Nov 2020
The court was asked as to the effect of a statutory provision stating that an appeal to the High Court from the Nursing and Midwifery Council ‘must be brought before the end’ of a specified period of 28 days. There was no express provision permitting the court to extend time. The issue was whether the … Continue reading Adesina and Others, Regina (on The Application of) v The Nursing and Midwifery Council: CA 9 Jul 2013
EC Design Examination Certificate No. G7 02 05 16178 063 was filed in support of SPC application SPC/GB/07/043 for ‘Platelet preparation obtainable by addition, and subsequent photoactivation, of amotosalen or its salt, to a suspension of platelets in plasma’. EC Design Examination Certificate No. G7 06 09 60562 004 was filed in support of SPC … Continue reading Cerus Corporation (Patent): IPO 31 Mar 2014
Principles on Request for Anonymity Order The defendant appealed against an order granting the anonymisation of the proceeedings. Held: The critical question is whether there is sufficient general public interest in publishing a report of proceedings which identifies a party by name, to justify any resulting curtailment of that party’s right to respect for his … Continue reading JIH v News Group Newspapers Ltd: CA 31 Jan 2011
The court was asked to decide from whom DNA samples could lawfully be taken by the Police,and for how long they should be kept. The first respondent now said that a declaration of incompatibility of section 64(1A) could not be avoided. Held: (Majority: Lord Dyson, Lord Phillips, Lady Hale, Lord Judge and Lord Kerr. Dissenting: … Continue reading GC v The Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 18 May 2011
The defendant faced extradition to the USA on charges of the obstruction of justice. He challenged the extradition on the basis that it would interfere with his article 8 rights to family life, given that the offence was merely ancillary, the result would be disproportionate. The court was asked whether in order to found such … Continue reading Norris v Government of United States of America: SC 24 Feb 2010
The injury of which the employee complained came from two sources, a pneumatic hammer, in respect of which the employers were not in breach of the relevant Regulations; and swing grinders, in respect of which they were in breach. Held: It had been wrong to formulate the question in terms of which was the most … Continue reading Bonnington Castings Ltd v Wardlaw: HL 1 Mar 1956
The plaintiffs were steel dressers who, in the course of their employment, had inhaled quantities of noxious dust which had caused them to suffer from pneumoconiosis. They issued proceedings on 1 October 1956 but were unable to show any breach of duty by their employers which contributed to their condition after 1 October 1950. The … Continue reading Cartledge v E Jopling and Sons Ltd: HL 1963
The court was asked whether it should order the return to France of two little girls who have been living with their mother in Scotland since July 2013. The issue arose under article 3 of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, as incorporated into the law of the United … Continue reading AR v RN (Scotland): SC 22 May 2015
The tenant who suffered learning and behavioural difficulties appealed against an order for possession of his council flat. He had become aggressive with the caretaker. The council sought possession, and he defended the claim saying that the council had failed to take account of his disability. Held: The applicable national guidance required the council to … Continue reading Barber v London Borough of Croydon: CA 11 Feb 2010
The claimants sought to bring an action for damages after a family member suspected of dealing drugs, was shot by the police. At the time he was naked. The police officer had been acquitted by a criminal court of murder. The chief constable now appealed a finding that he might nevertheless be liable in a … Continue reading Ashley and Another v Chief Constable of Sussex Police: HL 23 Apr 2008
In Douglas, the claimants said that the defendants had interfered with their contract to provide exclusive photographs of their wedding to a competing magazine, by arranging for a third party to infiltrate and take and sell unauthorised photographs. In OBG, the defendants acted as receivers under an invalid charge, and were accused of unlawful interference … Continue reading Douglas and others v Hello! Ltd and others; similar: HL 2 May 2007
Notice Absence did not Remove Right to Cancel The defendant had contracted to arrange the removal of the claimant’s household goods on moving house. The claimant cancelled the contract, made at his housel, but refused to pay the cancellation fee, saying that the contract not having been made at the defendant’s premises. The Court of … Continue reading Robertson v Swift: SC 9 Sep 2014
The court was asked whether, by adopting a staff dress code which forbade the wearing of visible neck adornment and so prevented the appellant, a Christian, from wearing with her uniform a small, visible cross, British Airways (BA) indirectly discriminated against her on grounds of religion or belief. Held: There was no requirement that a … Continue reading Eweida v British Airways Plc: CA 12 Feb 2010
The father applied to the court to have the media excluded from the hearing into the residence and contact claims relating to his daughter. Held: It was for the party seeking such an order to justify it. In deciding whether or not to exclude the press in the welfare or privacy interests of a party … Continue reading Child X (Residence and Contact- Rights of Media Attendance) (Rev 2): FD 14 Jul 2009
The Board was asked whether the appellants had waived their right to an independent and impartial tribunal under article 6 of the Convention by appearing before the temporary sheriffs without objecting to their hearing their cases on the ground that they did not meet this requirement. Held: A trial before a temporary Sheriff was not … Continue reading Millar v Dickson: PC 24 Jul 2001
The personal injury claimant sought to raise on taxation, matters not put to the trial judge when making the costs order. The personal injuries case had been allocated to the multi-track. The judge at trial had awarded costs on the standard basis, but the costs judge had assessed them as if the case had been … Continue reading Drew v Whitbread: CA 9 Feb 2010
The mother appealed against an order confirmed by the Court of Appeal for the return of her child to Australia. The mother and father had cohabited in Sydney, before M returned with S without F’s consent or the permission of an Australian court. The court had found that M faced significant risk of abuse from … Continue reading Re S (A Child): SC 14 Mar 2012
Each defendant challenged the way he had been treated on revocation of his parole licence, saying he should have been given the opportunity to make oral representations. Held: The prisoners’ appeals were allowed. Lord Bingham stated: ‘While an oral hearing is most obviously necessary to achieve a just decision in a case where facts are … Continue reading Regina v Parole Board ex parte Smith, Regina v Parole Board ex parte West (Conjoined Appeals): HL 27 Jan 2005
Investigation of claimant was properly disclosed The claimant requested the removal of material naming him from the defendant’s website. Criminal investigations into a company with which he was associated were begun, but then concluded. In the interim, the article was published. The hearing had been in private and the claimant anonymised. Held: The weight to … Continue reading ZXC v Bloomberg Lp: QBD 23 Feb 2017
UTIAC COUNTRY GUIDANCE (1) Article 223 of the Uzbekistan Criminal Code (UCC) makes it an offence for a citizen to leave the country without permission – what is described as ‘illegal exit abroad’. The basic offence of ‘illegal exit abroad’ is punishable by a fine or by imprisonment for between three to five years. (2) … Continue reading LM (Returnees – Expired Exit Permit) Uzbekistan CG: UTIAC 29 Nov 2012
Parents wished to publicise the way care proceedings had been handled, naming the doctors, social workers and experts some of whom had been criticised. Their names had been shown as initials so far, and interim contra mundum orders had been made restricting further identification. The professionals feared that their readiness to act as experts would … Continue reading Doctor A and Others v Ward and Another: FD 8 Jan 2010
The claimant sought an injunction against the defendants to restrain an alleged trade mark infringement in respect of the use of the mark ‘NUDE’ by the proposed product ‘STELLANUDE’. Held: Despite the differences, it was ‘arguable that the sign STELLANUDE is similar to the mark NUDE.’ The case should be allowed to proceed. Floyd J … Continue reading Nude Brands Ltd v Stella McCartney Ltd and Others: ChD 20 Aug 2009
The applicant challenged the decision of the court that the sperm donor who had fertilised her eggs to create embryos stored by the respondent IVF clinic, could withdraw his consent to their continued storage or use. Held: The judge worked within a strict statutory framework. His task was to calculate the application of that law, … Continue reading Evans v Amicus Healthcare Ltd and others: CA 25 Jun 2004
Guidelines – Sentencing for Copyright Infringement The court was asked questions as to the level of sentence for offences of distribution of articles which infringe copyright. He had operated a number of websites which were responsible for the illegal distribution of licensed and copyrighted material. He did not himself have the material on his own … Continue reading Evans, Regina v: CACD 14 Feb 2017
The claimant appealed against refusal of an injunction to restrain the defendant newspaper from publishing his name in connection with a forthcoming article. The claimant had had an affair with a co-worker. Both were married. The relationship ended, but when the employer terminated her employment she set out to publicise the affair. Held: The appeal … Continue reading ETK v News Group Newspapers Ltd: CA 19 Apr 2011
The claimant had obtained an order in the Nicosia in the Republic of Cyprus and sought to enforce it in the UK court. The High court declined, and it was referred to the ECJ which in turn found that it could be registered. The defendant now challenged that decision saying that the court’s presiding judge … Continue reading Apostolides v Orams and Others: CA 19 Jan 2010
The claimant sought release of a report prepared by the respondent as to its coverage of the Arab/Israel conflict partly for journalistic purposes, and partly for compliance. Held: The appeal failed. Where the report was prepared even if only in part for jurnalistic purposes, it was exempt from disclosure under the 2000 Act. Lord Wilson … Continue reading Sugar v British Broadcasting Corporation and Another (2): SC 15 Feb 2012
The claimants wished to claim that they were victims of a miscarriage of justice in the way the Council had dealt with care proceedings. They sought that the proceedings should be reported without the children being identified. Held: A judge must adopt the same ‘parallel analysis’ leading to the same ‘ultimate balancing test’, as described … Continue reading Norfolk County Council v Webster and others: FD 1 Nov 2006
Ward has no extra privilege from Police Interview The court considered the need to apply to court in respect of the care of a ward of the court when the Security services needed to investigate possible terrorist involvement of her and of her contacts. Application was made for a declaration as to the need for … Continue reading Re A Ward of Court: FD 4 May 2017
The applicants had been made subject of anti-social behaviour orders. They challenged the basis upon which the orders had been made. Held: The orders had no identifiable consequences which would make the process a criminal one. Civil standards of evidence therefore applied, and hearsay evidence was admissible. Nevertheless, the test as to whether it was … Continue reading Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at Manchester Ex parte McCann and Others: HL 17 Oct 2002
The parties were apartment owners in a development, each owning shares in the management company. They disputed the interpreation of the Articles as to whether the owner of more than one apartment was still restricted to one vote at member meetings, or had a number of votes equal to the number of apartments. The articles … Continue reading Sugarman and Others v CJS Investments Llp and Others: CA 19 Sep 2014
Appeal about the proper approach of the courts where the defendant to a claim for possession of his home raises a defence of unlawful discrimination, contrary to the Equality Act 2010, by the claimant landlord. In particular, the issue is whether the courts are entitled to take the same summary approach to such a defence, … Continue reading Akerman-Livingstone v Aster Communities Ltd: SC 11 Mar 2015
The Court was asked what rules apply to family members seeking entry to the United Kingdom, where the sponsor was given asylum and then obtained British citizenship. The ECO had said that the ordinary family members rules applied, where the claimants said that the joint relative rules applied, under which they would not be required … Continue reading ZN (Afghanistan) and Others v Entry Clearance Officer (Karachi): SC 12 May 2010
An assessment to income tax had been raised after the employee resold shares in the company issued through the employees’ share scheme at a price which the Revenue said was above the share value. The company appealed against a finding that tax was payable. Held: The appeal failed. The Revenue should calculate the price which … Continue reading Grays Timber Products Ltd v Revenue and Customs: SC 3 Feb 2010
amwell_dogherty The claimant had secretly recorded the disciplinary hearings and also the deliberations of the disciplinary panel after their retirement. The tribunal had at a case management hearing admitted the recordings as evidence, and the defendant appealed, saying also that it had been disclosed too late. Held: The evidence contained in the recordings was relevant … Continue reading Amwell View School v Dogherty: EAT 15 Sep 2006
The Society, acting as a bank, had at first failed to pay its customer’s cheque for andpound;4,550, even though there were sufficient funds. The bank said that it had been reported lost. The customer sought damages to his business reputation. Held: The bank was in breach of contract and in principle liable for injury to … Continue reading Kpohraror v Woolwich Building Society: CA 1996
The defendant had been involved in price fixing arrangements, and the claimant sought damages for breach of its proprietary rights. The claimant appealed refusal of an award an account of profits for what was akin to a breach of statutory duty. Held: The appeal failed. An account of profits should be available in a cartel … Continue reading Devenish Nutrition Ltd v Sanofi-Aventis Sa (France) and others: CA 14 Oct 2008
PI appealed from a ruling of the IPT that the provision which empowered the Secretary of State to authorise ‘the taking . . of such action as is specified in the warrant in respect of any property so specified’ was wide enough to encompass computer and network exploitation or, in colloquial language, hacking of computers … Continue reading Privacy International, Regina (on The Application of) v Investigatory Powers Tribunal: Admn 2 Feb 2017
The defendant appealed against a refusal to strike out the claimant’s action saying that the claimant had been involved in a fraud upon the court in an earlier associated claim. Held: The Rule gave no power to strike out a claim on such a basis. The dishonest assertion of a claim by a co-claimant did … Continue reading Shah v Ul-Haq and Others: CA 9 Jun 2009
The defendant was convicted under the 1994 Act of producing counterfeit CDs. He argued that the affixing of the name of the artist to the CD was not a trade mark use, and that the prosecution had first to establish a civil offence before his act could become criminal. The prosecutor appealed the decision of … Continue reading Regina v Johnstone: HL 22 May 2003
The claimant alleged discrimination. As a teaching assistant, she had been refused permission to wear a veil when assisting a male teacher. Held: Direct discrimination had not been shown. The respondent had shown that any comparator would have also been required to remove a veil since it obscured her face and mouth and was a … Continue reading Azmi v Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council: EAT 30 Mar 2007
Anonymity in Family matters at CA isexceptional In ancillary relief proceedings at first instance, the court had provided for anonymity of various parties. On appeal, W, with the consent of H now sought a further freestanding order to similar effect. Held: The application was allowed. Though at the Court of Appeal the starting point was … Continue reading XW v XH: CA 2 Apr 2019
Can a single room within a hotel comprise a separate dwelling within the 1988 Act and be subject to an assured tenancy? Held: A single room can be a dwelling. Each case must be interpreted in its own light as a question of fact, but respecting the intent of the legislation. Social changes now mean … Continue reading Uratemp Ventures Limited v Collins: HL 11 Oct 2001