May 9, 2026
Mrs Owens petitioned for divorce under section 1(2)(b) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, alleging her husband's behaviour meant she could not reasonably be expected to live with him. The Supreme Court reluctantly dismissed her appeal, prompting calls for parliamentary reform. Facts Mr and Mrs Owens were married in 1978...
May 9, 2026
Prudential challenged UK tax rules taxing overseas portfolio dividends differently from domestic ones. The Supreme Court held EU law required tax credits at the foreign nominal rate, but rejected compound interest claims, departing from Sempra Metals, and clarified the treatment of lawful and unlawful ACT. Facts Prudential Assurance Company Ltd...
May 9, 2026
Following divorce, the wife received capital to purchase a mortgage-free home but lost it through unwise property transactions, requiring her to pay rent. The Supreme Court held the court was entitled to decline increasing periodical payments to cover rent, restoring the trial judge's order. Facts Mr and Mrs Mills married...
May 9, 2026
Eight children were placed in foster care after police protection following concerns about their home. Their parents claimed damages under the Human Rights Act for unlawful section 20 accommodation. The Supreme Court held the accommodation was lawful as parents had not unequivocally objected or requested the children's return. Facts The...
May 7, 2026
Taylor Clark Leisure sought to rely on VAT repayment claims made by Carlton, a former member of its VAT group. The Supreme Court held Carlton made the claims on its own behalf, not for TCL, so TCL's claim was time-barred. Facts Taylor Clark Leisure PLC (“TCL”) was the representative member...
May 7, 2026
Goldman Sachs, as assignee of Oak Finance, sued Novo Banco in England for a loan originally made to Portuguese bank BES. The Supreme Court held that a Portuguese Central Bank decision determining the loan liability was never transferred to Novo Banco must be recognised in England under the Reorganisation Directive,...
May 7, 2026
Mr Belhaj and his wife alleged MI6 complicity in their rendition and torture. After the DPP declined to prosecute Sir Mark Allen, they sought judicial review. The Supreme Court held that such proceedings were 'in a criminal cause or matter', excluding closed material procedure under the Justice and Security Act...
May 7, 2026
A different-sex couple with a conscientious objection to marriage challenged the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which restricts civil partnerships to same-sex couples. Following the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, the Supreme Court granted a declaration of incompatibility under the Human Rights Act 1998. Facts The appellants, Rebecca Steinfeld and...
May 7, 2026
A water well engineering company lost its gross payment status under the Construction Industry Scheme due to late PAYE payments. The Supreme Court held HMRC was not required to consider the cancellation's business impact, dismissing the appeal on statutory construction and human rights grounds. Facts JP Whitter (Water Well Engineers)...
May 7, 2026
Project Blue Ltd purchased Chelsea Barracks for £959m from the MoD, using Shari'a-compliant Ijara financing from a Qatari bank. The Supreme Court held that anti-avoidance provisions in section 75A of the Finance Act 2003 applied, making PBL liable for £50m SDLT. Facts Project Blue Ltd (PBL), principally owned by Qatari...
May 7, 2026
Mr Smith, a plumber engaged by Pimlico Plumbers under contracts labelling him self-employed, brought claims for unfair dismissal, unlawful deductions, holiday pay and disability discrimination. The Supreme Court held he was a ‘limb (b) worker’, allowing his statutory claims to proceed. Facts Mr Smith worked as a plumbing and heating...
May 7, 2026
Richemont Group obtained website-blocking injunctions against major UK ISPs to stop access to sites selling counterfeit luxury goods infringing its trade marks. The Supreme Court held that rights-holders, not innocent ISPs acting as 'mere conduits', must indemnify the ISPs' reasonable compliance costs. Facts The respondents (Cartier, Montblanc, IWC and related...
May 7, 2026
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission challenged Northern Ireland's abortion laws as incompatible with ECHR articles 3 and 8 in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, rape, and incest. The Supreme Court found the Commission lacked standing, but a majority indicated the law was incompatible with article 8. Facts The Northern...
May 7, 2026
The vessel 'B Atlantic' was detained in Venezuela after unknown third parties attached cocaine to her hull in a smuggling attempt. The owners claimed on their war risks policy. The Supreme Court held the loss was not caused by persons acting maliciously and, in any event, was excluded as arising...
May 5, 2026
Tobacco manufacturers and retailers entered Early Resolution Agreements with the OFT but did not appeal. When the OFT repaid another party (TMR) following a mistaken assurance, the respondents claimed unequal treatment. The Supreme Court held the OFT's differential treatment was objectively justified and rational. Facts In March 2003, the Office...
May 5, 2026
Rock Advertising orally agreed a revised payment schedule with MWB's credit controller, despite the licence containing a No Oral Modification clause. The Supreme Court held such clauses are legally effective, so the oral variation was invalid, restoring MWB's judgment. Facts MWB Business Exchange Centres Ltd operated serviced offices in central...
May 5, 2026
A married couple convicted of benefit fraud spanning pre- and post-2003 offences challenged confiscation orders made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The Supreme Court held by majority that POCA 2002 applied to post-commencement offences where the Crown disclaimed reliance on earlier offences. Facts The appellants, Ms McCool and...
May 5, 2026
Mrs Haywood, facing redundancy, was on holiday when her employer's termination letter was delivered. She read it on her return, on her 50th birthday threshold date. The Supreme Court held notice ran only when she actually read it, entitling her to an enhanced pension. Facts Mrs Haywood was a long-serving...
May 5, 2026
Haven Insurance settled road traffic claims directly with claimants, bypassing their solicitors Edmondson and avoiding fixed costs payable under the RTA Protocol. The Supreme Court held that the solicitors' equitable lien entitled Edmondson to recover their charges directly from Haven. Facts Gavin Edmondson Solicitors (“Edmondson”) represented six claimants under Conditional...
May 5, 2026
The first defendant sold her interest in a care support business and agreed to non-compete, non-solicit and confidentiality covenants, which she breached by running a rival company. The Supreme Court held negotiating damages were unavailable; ordinary compensatory damages must be assessed. Facts The first defendant established a business in 1999...
May 5, 2026
JSC BTA Bank alleged Mr Khrapunov conspired with his father-in-law Mr Ablyazov to hide assets in breach of freezing and receivership orders. The Supreme Court held contempt of court could constitute unlawful means for conspiracy, and English courts had jurisdiction under the Lugano Convention as the conspiratorial agreement was made...
May 5, 2026
Employees exposed to platinum salts through their employer's negligence developed platinum salt sensitisation, preventing them from working in areas risking further exposure. The Supreme Court held this asymptomatic physiological change constituted actionable personal injury, reversing the lower courts' decisions. Facts The claimants worked for Johnson Matthey Plc in factories producing...
May 5, 2026
Kevin Maguire, a Crown Court defendant with legal aid for two counsel, challenged the Bar of Northern Ireland's rule requiring that one be senior counsel. The Supreme Court held this rule promoted, rather than breached, his article 6 fair trial rights. Facts The appellant, Kevin Maguire, was a defendant in...
May 5, 2026
A primary school head teacher was summarily dismissed for failing to disclose her close relationship with a partner convicted of making indecent images of children. The Supreme Court upheld the tribunal's finding that her dismissal was not unfair, confirming her duty to disclose. Facts Ms Reilly, an experienced teacher with...
May 5, 2026
Iceland Foods installed a specialised air handling system to maintain temperatures suitable for its integral refrigerated cabinets displaying frozen and chilled goods. The Supreme Court held the system was used as part of a 'trade process' and thus excluded from rateable value calculations. Facts Iceland Foods Ltd, a supermarket specialising...
August 25, 2026
National Case Law Archive
August 25, 2026
National Case Law Archive
August 25, 2026
National Case Law Archive