The National Case Law Archive provides structured case summaries with case details, a clear one-paragraph holding, and breakdowns of the facts, issues, judgment, and implications – so you can get to the point quickly. Use the index and key terms to explore landmark decisions across UK jurisdictions, with plain-English context for study and research. You can also see our helpful list of Supreme Court cases and House of Lords cases.
May 23, 2026
Two Albanian nationals obtained British citizenship by naturalisation using false details. The Supreme Court held that such fraudulently obtained citizenship is valid until formal deprivation under section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981, overruling earlier Court of Appeal authority on nullity. Facts The two appellants were Albanian nationals who...
May 23, 2026
A prisoner with health problems exacerbated by tobacco smoke challenged the Secretary of State's refusal to allow prisoners access to the NHS Smoke-free Compliance Line, arguing the smoking ban in the Health Act 2006 bound the Crown. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding the Crown was not bound. Facts...
May 23, 2026
Lady Brownlie was injured and her husband killed in a car crash during a Four Seasons hotel excursion in Egypt. She sued the Canadian holding company in England. The Supreme Court held the holding company was the wrong defendant, but obiter discussed the tort jurisdictional gateway. Facts Lady Brownlie, widow...
May 23, 2026
Dover District Council granted planning permission for a major development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, against officers' advice. The Supreme Court held the Council had breached its duty to give reasons under EIA regulations and at common law, quashing the permission. Facts China Gateway International Limited (CGI) applied...
May 23, 2026
A black barrister brought a Human Rights Act claim against the Bar Standards Board, alleging racially discriminatory disciplinary proceedings. The Supreme Court held the prosecution constituted a single continuing act lasting until her successful appeal, meaning her claim was brought in time under section 7(5)(a). Facts The appellant, Ms O’Connor,...
May 23, 2026
Tiuta sued De Villiers for negligent valuation underpinning a second loan facility which refinanced an earlier non-negligent facility plus advanced new money. The Supreme Court held the valuer's liability was limited to the new money, since the original loan would have been lost anyway. Facts Tiuta International Ltd, a short-term...
May 23, 2026
The Scotch Whisky Association challenged Scotland's minimum alcohol pricing legislation as contrary to EU law on free movement of goods. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding minimum pricing was a proportionate measure to protect public health, particularly targeting harmful drinking among deprived communities. Facts The Scottish Parliament enacted the...
May 23, 2026
Trustees sued their solicitors for negligently drafted notices to quit which failed to terminate agricultural leases. The Supreme Court held the claim had prescribed under the five-year short negative prescription, as time ran from when the trustees incurred expenditure, not when loss was discovered. Facts The appellants were trustees of...
May 23, 2026
Taxpayers in film partnership tax avoidance schemes claimed loss relief by carrying back partnership losses in their self-assessment returns. The Supreme Court held HMRC could challenge these claims through section 9A enquiries into the returns, not solely under Schedule 1A. Facts The appellants, Mr De Silva and Mr Dokelman, were...
May 23, 2026
Mrs HC, an Algerian Zambrano carer of two British children, challenged regulations excluding such carers from mainstream welfare benefits, housing assistance and child benefit. The Supreme Court dismissed her appeal, holding the Zambrano principle requires only practical support sufficient to prevent EU citizen children being forced to leave the Union....
May 23, 2026
A transgender woman challenged the DWP's policies on retaining her gender history and applying a Special Customer Records procedure when she claimed Jobseeker's Allowance. The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed her appeal, holding the policies lawful under the Gender Recognition Act, Human Rights Act and Equality Act. Facts The appellant, C,...
May 23, 2026
Dr Michalak, a doctor dismissed unfairly, alleged the GMC discriminated against her in fitness to practise proceedings. The Supreme Court held that judicial review is not a 'proceeding in the nature of an appeal' under section 120(7) Equality Act 2010, so the Employment Tribunal retained jurisdiction. Facts Dr Ewa Michalak...
May 21, 2026
Littlewoods overpaid VAT to HMRC over decades due to a mistake of law. HMRC repaid the principal and simple interest totalling £268m, but Littlewoods sought £1.25bn in compound interest at common law. The Supreme Court rejected the claim, holding it was statutorily excluded and not required by EU law. Facts...
May 21, 2026
A prisoner serving an extended sentence for culpable homicide was recalled to custody after reoffending on licence. He claimed inadequate rehabilitation courses breached article 5 ECHR. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, holding the rehabilitation duty applies to extended sentences but was not breached. Facts The appellant was convicted of...
May 21, 2026
Pirates seized MV Longchamp in the Gulf of Aden, demanding $6m ransom. The owners negotiated for 51 days, settling at $1.85m. The Supreme Court held that vessel-operating expenses incurred during the negotiation period were allowable in general average under Rule F of the York-Antwerp Rules 1974. Facts On 29 January...
May 21, 2026
Elsick challenged a planning authority's supplementary guidance requiring developers to contribute to a pooled Strategic Transport Fund for infrastructure across Aberdeen. The Supreme Court held the scheme unlawful, as contributions bore only trivial connection to individual developments, exceeding statutory powers under section 75 of the 1997 Act. Facts The Aberdeen...
May 21, 2026
A police officer with PTSD was dismissed after a misconduct hearing. The Supreme Court held that judicial immunity could not bar her Employment Tribunal discrimination claim under EU law, requiring section 42(1) of the Equality Act 2010 to be read conformably with the Framework Directive. Facts The appellant, P, was...
May 21, 2026
Taurus sought to enforce an arbitration award against SOMO by means of third party debt and receivership orders over sums payable under letters of credit issued by Crédit Agricole's London branch. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding the debts were situated in England, owed to SOMO, and amenable to...
May 21, 2026
The Stewart brothers received heavily discounted life sentences for murder after agreeing to assist prosecutors under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. After acquittals at trial, the specified prosecutor declined to refer their sentences back for review. The Supreme Court upheld that decision, rejecting a 'change of circumstances'...
May 21, 2026
Two Moroccan domestic workers employed at the Libyan and Sudanese embassies in London brought employment claims but were barred by state immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978. The Supreme Court held the relevant provisions incompatible with Article 6 ECHR and disapplied them for EU law claims. Facts Ms Janah,...
May 21, 2026
Ms Reyes, a Filipina domestic worker, sued her Saudi diplomat employer for trafficking and exploitation. The Supreme Court allowed her appeal, holding that since the diplomat's posting had ended, residual immunity under article 39(2) did not cover non-official acts like employing domestic staff. Facts Ms Reyes, a Philippine national, was...
May 21, 2026
MTH designed and installed offshore wind turbine foundations at Robin Rigg that failed shortly after completion due to an error in an international standard (J101). The Supreme Court held MTH liable, finding the Technical Requirements imposed a 20-year design life obligation that prevailed over compliance with J101. Facts MT Højgaard...
May 21, 2026
The Supreme Court held that section 92(1)(b) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 criminalises the unauthorised sale of 'grey market' goods, not merely 'true counterfeits'. Goods originally manufactured with the trade mark proprietor's consent but sold without authorisation fall within the criminal offence. Facts The appellants, a limited company and...
May 21, 2026
Goldtrail obtained judgment against Onur Air for £3.64m. Onur appealed but was ordered to pay the sum into court as a condition. Onur claimed this stifled its appeal. The Supreme Court clarified the test for assessing whether a third party's funds can be considered when determining stifling. Facts Goldtrail Travel...
May 21, 2026
Welsh Local Health Boards set a flat weekly rate for funding registered nurses in care homes, excluding personal care and certain other time. The Supreme Court held this misinterpreted section 49 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and quashed the decisions. Facts The case concerned the funding of...
May 23, 2026
National Case Law Archive
May 23, 2026
National Case Law Archive
May 23, 2026
National Case Law Archive