April 26, 2026
A single mother with four children, including two autistic sons, challenged a Jewish housing association's policy of allocating social housing primarily to Orthodox Jews. The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed her appeal, finding the policy was proportionate positive action lawful under the Equality Act 2010. Facts Agudas Israel Housing Association Ltd...
April 26, 2026
Highbury Poultry Farm Produce Ltd was charged under the WATOK Regulations 2015 after three chickens entered scalding tanks alive. The Supreme Court held that the offences, implementing an EU Regulation on animal welfare at slaughter, imposed strict liability and did not require proof of negligence or mens rea. Facts Highbury...
April 26, 2026
A Russian power plant was damaged by fire. The Russian insurer, subrogated to the owner's rights, sued Turkish contractor Enka in Russia despite an arbitration clause specifying London as the seat. The Supreme Court held English law governed the arbitration agreement and upheld an anti-suit injunction restraining the Russian proceedings....
April 26, 2026
The UK Supreme Court held that English courts have jurisdiction to determine global FRAND licence terms for Standard Essential Patents and grant injunctions restraining UK patent infringement unless implementers accept such licences. The appeals by Huawei and ZTE against Unwired Planet and Conversant were dismissed. Facts These conjoined appeals concerned...
April 26, 2026
A developer leased part of a shopping centre to Dunnes Stores, covenanting not to allow competing large units elsewhere on the site. The developer's assignee later challenged the covenant as an unreasonable restraint of trade. The Supreme Court rejected the pre-existing freedom test, adopting the trading society test instead. Facts...
April 26, 2026
Mrs Staveley transferred her pension into a personal pension plan shortly before her death and omitted to take lifetime benefits, leaving death benefits to her sons. HMRC sought inheritance tax on both. The Supreme Court held only the omission, not the transfer, was chargeable. Facts Mrs Staveley, following an acrimonious...
April 26, 2026
Shagang sued HNA under a charterparty guarantee. HNA alleged the contract was procured by bribery, relying on confessions made to Chinese police. Shagang claimed the confessions were obtained by torture. The Supreme Court restored the trial judge's finding of no bribery. Facts Shagang Shipping Company Ltd (“Shagang”) chartered a capesize...
April 26, 2026
Following marital breakdown between CIFF's founders, trustees agreed a $360m grant to resolve governance issues. The Supreme Court held that members of charitable companies owe fiduciary duties to the charity's purposes and directed the sole unconflicted member to vote in favour of the grant. Facts The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation...
April 25, 2026
Dr Eskander emailed her appeal against a GMC suspension to the Administrative Court on the final day of the 28-day period but paid no fee. The Court of Appeal held, applying Siniakovich, that her appeal was brought in time despite non-payment. Facts Dr Amy Eskander, a Specialist Registrar in Neurology,...
April 25, 2026
K1 sought permission to appeal a refusal to amend its arbitration award challenge under s.68(2)(g) of the Arbitration Act 1996. The Court of Appeal held it lacked jurisdiction under s.68(4), as the first instance judge is sole gatekeeper for permission to appeal. Facts The Applicant (K1) brought an in-time challenge...
April 25, 2026
Test cases from thousands of military noise-induced hearing loss claims against the MoD. The High Court determined generic issues including diagnostic methods, quantification, and tinnitus, preferring Prof Moore's rM-NIHL method over CLB for diagnosis. Mr Lambie succeeded; Mr Craggs largely failed on causation. Facts This litigation concerns over 10,000 claims...
April 25, 2026
Two asylum-seeking mothers challenged prolonged hotel accommodation under s.95 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The High Court held hotel rooms were not 'dwellings' under Part X Housing Act 1985, but found the Home Secretary breached her duty to provide 'adequate' accommodation during specified periods. Facts The claimants, SH and BWO,...
April 25, 2026
The Good Law Project and three individuals challenged EHRC guidance issued after For Women Scotland concerning single-sex facilities. The High Court held the guidance was lawful, the Good Law Project lacked standing, and no Convention rights were breached. The claim was dismissed. Facts Following the Supreme Court’s judgment in For...
April 25, 2026
Martin Groom, a volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officer, was denied trade union accompaniment at a disciplinary appeal. The Court of Appeal held that CROs are 'workers' under s 230(3)(b) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 when attending remunerated activities, dismissing the MCA's appeal. Facts Martin Groom served as a Coastguard Rescue...
April 25, 2026
WH Holding challenged an expert's determination that it owed an additional £3.6m under an overage clause in a stadium concession agreement. The Court of Appeal allowed E20's appeal, holding the expert's contractual interpretation was not so obviously wrong as to constitute manifest error. Facts E20 Stadium LLP (now London Stadium...
April 25, 2026
Zaha Hadid Ltd appealed against a ruling that its trade mark licence with the Zaha Hadid Foundation, requiring a 6% royalty, was perpetual. The Court of Appeal held the contract was of indefinite duration and terminable by either party on reasonable notice. Facts The case concerned a trade mark licence...
April 25, 2026
A recovering problem gambler sued Sky Betting and Gaming, alleging its cookies, data processing and direct marketing were unlawful because he had not validly consented. The Court of Appeal held that consent under data protection law is objective, not subjective, and allowed the operator's appeal. Facts The appellants (SBG) operated...
April 24, 2026
Charedi Jewish and Evangelical Christian school communities challenged the imposition of VAT on private school fees under the Finance Act 2025, claiming it breached Convention rights. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals, holding the measure was objectively justified and proportionate. Facts Following a 2024 Labour Party manifesto commitment, the...
April 24, 2026
Three conjoined appeals concerning men registered as 'father' on birth certificates who were not biological fathers. The Court of Appeal held 'father' in the Children Act 1989 means the genetic father only, so parental responsibility never arises from registration if the registrant is not the biological father. Facts The Court...
April 24, 2026
Mrs Townsend sought permission to apply to the Court of Protection regarding withdrawal of dialysis from her incapacitated father. The Trust claimed it was a 'clinical decision' outside best interests scrutiny. The Court of Appeal rejected this distinction, holding all such decisions require best interests analysis. Facts Robert Barnor, aged...
April 24, 2026
Two claimants challenged the Metropolitan Police Commissioner's September 2024 policy on live facial recognition technology, alleging it breached Articles 8, 10 and 11 ECHR by granting officers excessive discretion. The Divisional Court dismissed the claim, holding the policy was sufficiently foreseeable and non-arbitrary. Facts The claim concerned the legality of...
April 24, 2026
Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, challenged the Home Secretary's decision to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. The High Court found the decision unlawful for breaching the Home Secretary's own policy and disproportionately interfering with Convention rights under Articles 10 and 11. Facts On 5 July 2025,...
April 24, 2026
Glencore and the Claimants disputed the scope of legal advice privilege over intra-client documents. Picken J held that privilege extends to communications between members of the client group created for the dominant purpose of seeking legal advice, even where no lawyer is party to them. Facts This judgment forms part...
April 24, 2026
The SRA intervened in Ms Khan's solicitors' firm for suspected dishonesty. She continued practising through a not-for-profit company, claiming entitlement under s.23 Legal Services Act 2007. The High Court granted injunctions restraining her from carrying on reserved legal activities without a valid practising certificate. Facts On 19 August 2021, the...
April 24, 2026
Neighbours disputed trespass and encroachment from building works. After a small claims trial awarded only £100, the Court of Appeal considered whether earlier refusals of permission to appeal could be reopened and whether a power of attorney holder could conduct litigation and advocacy on a party's behalf. Facts The claimants,...
July 5, 2026
National Case Law Archive
July 1, 2026
National Case Law Archive
July 1, 2026
National Case Law Archive